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beakrake t1_j7ss1eb wrote

K/D is hardly relevant to all video games, but to take it a step further and generalize by saying video games can't/won't help in any cognitive way, I whole heartedly disagree.

Mechanics, architecture, resource management, critical thinking skills, problem solving, reading, hand eye coordination, time management, navigating electronic systems and menus, etc, etc...

There are a lot of benefits to being more open minded about such learning potential, because the future is here and computers aren't going away any time soon.

If that's what they like and what catches their interest, why shit on those interests to shoehorn them into doing things your way or learning things you like?

Sure, they probably can't list "Minecraft" on their college resume, but if they used that platform to learn to read at an early age, or can mentally conceptualize 3D structures really well because of it, the future results will likely speak for themselves in time.

The long and short of it is, you should capitalize on whatever your child is enthusiastic about to help teach them new things on the DL whenever you can.

Whether that's stick ball, musical instruments, video games, or something else entirely, the endeavor to teach them goes a lot smoother when they actually enjoy the activity and are subtly learning core skills that do carry over to RL situations, without having to force the square peg into the round hole by teaching them in a more conventional, but far less interesting (to them,) way.

Learning in an unconventional manner is still legitimate learning after all, and anyone who doesn't realize that is doing their child a real disservice.

TLDR - Knowledge comes in many forms, just because it comes in an unfamiliar package doesn't nessesarily make it worse.

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radiantwave t1_j7rhpnc wrote

>... affect your ability to get other shit done...

I think that was covered... Unless you don't think of real life experience as important other stuff.

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GsTSaien t1_j7t23un wrote

Actually cognitive abilities are improved by gaming. And a high KD aa a result of measured practice and improvement will give your child valuable tools that they can use to tackle difficult tasks outside of games.

Playing music is not any better than playing games for your brain.

I do both, gaming has given me many more tools to be good academically (feeds curiosity, reinforces discipline, great brain excersice) while music has given me an artistic outlet. It has allowed me to express myself, relate to others, and earn social status.

If we focus only in cognition though, games do more.

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