Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Positive Effects of Video Games & Win 1 of 2 Nintendo DS Prizes Packs from Ubisoft!

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With so much emphasis constantly on the negative aspects of too much screen time, neuroscience and education research indicates that there are advantages to video gaming.  Yes, you read that right.  Advantages to playing video games.
 

At this year’s Family Online Safety Institute’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., Bristol University neuroscientist, Paul Howard-Jones, shared findings that examined the impact of the internet on our brains and also discussed the positive impact of video gaming.  After providing the disclaimer that he isn’t an expert on online safety, Howard-Jones shared the following facts about gaming:

  • Digitally based training can improve working memory
  • Action video games actually improve visual spatial skills and teach players to tune out visual distractions while teaching transferable skills
  • Video games provide a rapid schedule of rewards to the brain, stimulating the mind in a way that mimics the effect of psychostimulating drugs
Rather than viewing gaming in a negative light, Howard-Jones emphasized that it’s more important to take a look at how we use technology, when it is used, how often we use it, and what for.
 

To celebrate the positive effects that video games can have on the brain, Ubisoft is providing 2 readers with Nintendo DS Lite prize packs, each containing a Nintendo DS Lite and 4 games that will include an assortment of Imagine and Petz titles.



About Imagine games— Designed for girls ages 6-14, the Imagine line allows girls to explore their favorite interests and hobbies in an interactive way.  Title such as Animal Doctor, Artist, Teacher, Gymnast, etc, are themed so game play focuses on learning the skills associated with the profession in an fun and engaging way while being able to build a business. Games retail for $29.99 each and can often be found on Amazon for less.
 



About the Petz series— The Petz line allows players to take care of their own virtual animal.  With multiple titles including domestic (catz, dogz, hamsterz), wild (monkez, dolphinz, and more), and fantasy animals, it isn’t hard to find a game to help delay the introduction to a new furry pet into your home. 
Win 1 of 2 Nintendo DS Lite prize packs with 4 assorted Petz or Imagine games courtesy of Ubisoft!
REQUIRED ENTRY: Share which Imagine or Petz games your girl would like best by going to Ubisoft’s Parent’s Corner and clicking on the Games tab.  Leave the name of the game along with your email address or Twitter handle.  Valid entries must include an email address or Twitter handle!
For extra entries, you MUST complete the above and do any of the following:
  • Complete the Tech Savvy Mama reader survey if you haven’t completed it as part of my Xbox giveaway.  Those who have not completed the survey will receive 2 entries- 1 for the survey, 1 for leaving a comment below saying you completed the survey.  If you have completed the survey as an optional Xbox entry, leave a comment to let me know you’ve done so and you’ll still get 1 entry into this giveaway.  Please note that all responses will remain anonymous. If your comment is selected, I will check to make sure you really did complete the survey.  If you just comment below without completing the survey, your entry will not be valid. (1 or 2 entries)
  • Share one technique you use to limit screen time in your home. Include your email/Twitter handle. (1 entry)
  • Subscribe to Tech Savvy Mama via RSS or email. Include your email/Twitter handle to let me know you’ve done so. (1 entry)
  • Follow me on Twitter and leave your Twitter handle in your comment.  (1 entry)
  • Tweet this daily and leave your Twitter handle in the comments:  I entered to win @TechSavvyMama’s @Ubisoft @Nintendo DS #giveaway! Enter here before 12/9: http://bit.ly/UbisoftNintendoDS (1 entry/day)
  • Blog about this giveaway and include “TechSavvyMama.com is giving away 2 Nintendo DS Lites with 4 Petz and Imagine games by Ubisoft” with this link .  Leave a permalink and your email/Twitter handle in your comment. (10 entries)
Winner will be randomly selected from valid entries on Friday, December 9 using Random.org.  Winner will have 24 hours to reply with a U.S. mailing address and phone number before another winner will be selected.  Nintendo DS Lites and games are being provided by Ubisoft and will be shipped directly by them to the winner. Complete rules regarding this giveaway can be found in the Official Sweepstakes Rules.  
I was not compensated for this post or hosting this giveaway.  All opinions are my own.  

Thanks for reading Tech Savvy Mama through your feed!

Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
©2012

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. skinimini says

    My girls would love anything musical, artistic, or fashion related, so the Imagine Music Fest, Makeup Artist, Fashion Designer, or Artist games would be perfect.

    @Skinimini2

  14. Laura says

    We actually keep the DS until after school and until he is done with homework. Then, he only gets a certain amount of time and then he has to take a break and go either play outside or do something else!

  52. coriwestphal says

    We have a timer! Just a windup kitchen timer. The kids each get 45 minutes to do as they please, then they can play another 15 minutes if they do something educational!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  66. Michelle says

    We use the timer on our microwave to count down how much screen time the kids have. This makes it harder for them to argue about it, and also provides a constant countdown of how much time is remaining for easy reference.
    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

  76. Tricia says

    I’d love to get the Imagine Animal Doctor for my 7 year old daugther. She loves animals and wants to be an Animal Rescuer when she grows up.

    @CatchinFreebies

  127. Kenia says

    We all play as a family. We make sure she does her homework and chores first. We only play an hour and a half tops. My husband disconnectes all games so they can’t be played unless we turn them on.

    kperales25{at}aol.com

  195. Anonymous says

    The Petz Fantasy Sunshine Magic game looks like a lot of fun and I think my kids would enjoy it!

    Jennifer Marie

    lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

  197. Anonymous says

    In order to limit time I will allow my children to play for half an hour after dinner. Then it will be time for working on homework/lessons at that time.

    Jennifer Marie

    lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

  201. Midnite Echo says

    My child would love the Petz Nursery. I have a little animal lover over here. 🙂

    I limit screen time by keeping my kid busy doing other things. First we make sure all the homework and chores are done. Then comes time for games or watching TV. Then we have family time before bed. (of course there are meals thrown in there somewhere too, lol usually after homework and before chores)

    I entered the survey on the Xbox Giveaway.

    I follow through email and Twitter
    email: midniteecho75@gmail.com
    Twitter: MidniteEcho75

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MidniteEcho75/status/143475822488076288

  226. Anonymous says

    I think my children would enjoy the Imagine Animal Doctor.

    Judy S
    pookiecat123 at yahoo dot com

  291. Eileen says

    My 6 year old grand daughter would like the STyle Lab games for sure. She is way into art and design. The jewelry and fashion ones would be perfect for her. She would rather do this than play with any toys or watch tv…I can see her BEING a designer some day!

    thanks so much!
    ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
    @2sic2mooov

  293. Eileen says

    Honestly, I dont have to limit time much on tv or games. My kids are so into sports they dont have a lot of time to play after homework. When they do watch tv or play gaming on pc, they monitor themselves…as they have to take turns and they are VERY good at monitoring each other. LOL! When we are upstairs and not in the basement family room, I do have a timer that is SO loud its like a fire alarm. I put that on for kids to take turns or turn OFF and there is no mistake when that thing goes on. I make them go outside or work on something more creative. Any fuss? They get extra chores. Problem solved;)

    thanks so much!
    ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
    @2sic2mooov

  295. Eileen says

    I did complete the survey before. I didnt know we could enter both giveaways, so I did the Xbox one before and took the survey.

    Thanks!
    ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
    @2sic2mooov

  312. Beeb says

    I don’t have any children, but, I am a girl and I would like to play the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Smash Up. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!

    ~Beeb

    supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

  313. Beeb says

    I already completed the survey as part of the XBox giveaway! My email is: supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

    ~Beeb

    supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

  314. Beeb says

    Limiting screen time in my home is difficult because it’s just my fiance and I, and both our jobs depend on computers. The best way I’ve found is to try and be strict about my time off (I’m self-employed so it’s easy to work non-stop!) and try to “Unplug” and do other things in my off time.

    ~Beeb

    supercoupongirl AT gmail.com