Babies & Kids Blog

So, the new Grand Theft Auto 4 video game just came out and about 140 million copies were sold with it’s release.  That’s pretty crazy considering most movies don’t even hit that number.  I know you all are great parents and will not be allowing your children to play this “mature” game, but I wanted to discuss an article that I found on MSNBC.com.  Two Harvard  researchers wrote a book called Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

They actually talked to the kids to see how they felt about video games.

“The pair reached that conclusion after conducting a two-year study of more than 1,200 middle-school children about their attitudes towards video games.” ‘”What we did that had rarely been done by other researchers was actually talk to the kids. It sounds bizarre but it hadn’t been done,” Kutner said.”

Click here to read more about this study & it’s findings.  It’s pretty interesting. 

Click here to purchase Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

Image Source: blog.lib.umn.edu

So, is all of your holiday shopping done?  What did you get your little ones?  According to the Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo what most kids want are video consoles & cell phones.  Do you despise video games because you have heard or experienced first had just how addictive they can be for your children?

Here are some of the common myths told about video games:

Video games stimulate brain activity.

Children will eventually get bored.

Games make children shorter.

Games can motivate children to study.

Click here to read the real facts regarding these myths given by Eo Gi-jun, a researcher at the Korea Computer Life Institute. Very interesting.

This Smart Cycle “Physical Learning Arcade System” is probably one of the best inventions around.  Why didn’t someone think of this sooner as America is becoming one of the fattest nations in the WORLD??  They really need to make a similar system for older kids.  I know the Nintendo Wii  is supposed to allow for more physical activity during game play, but they don’t have a sort of cycling bike yet as far as I know. 

The Smart Cycle isn’t just a racing game, but a learning game as well.  Kids can race while they learn about shapes, numbers, letters, matching, creativity, problem solving & more.

Your child can play along with their favorite TV characters: 

                      Dora the Explorer: $19.99                                  Sponge Bob:  $19.99

Coupons for online stores selling the Fisher Price Smart Cycle:

eToys:  $5 off $30+ for new customers with a VISA card - Code:  VISA47ET - Exp. 02/29/08

Baby Universe:  Free Shipping on orders of $20 or more.

For more kids’ learning toys click here.