Homeschool Gaming Guide
Monday, September 4th, 2006By Mimi Rothschild
A recent scandal dealing with nudity found in a wildly popular videogame franchise, “Grand Theft Auto” has left many parents with a sour taste in their mouths. Parents found themselves questioning whether the videogames their children play are wholesome. I, as a Christian homeschool mom, wonder whether even non-offensive games are edifying to our children. I am always looking for innovative ways to incorporate learning into fun activities. This has inspired me to dig deep into the world of video games in order to find some diamonds in the rough. I enlisted the help of my oldest son to find recent games that are constructive, edifying, educational, and most of all, a blast to play.
For high school students: Civilizatidon IV is a relatively popular PC strategy game that enables the player to take on the role of a world leader. The player starts off with a few villagers, some grain, cattle, and several warriors. As the game progresses, the player develops towns, aqueducts, civic centers, churches, chariots, and more. The object of the game, world conquest, can be achieved not only be defeating the other players in battle, but through economic prowess, diplomacy, nuclear dominance, or winning the space race. Your homeschoolers will learn a lot about history, economics, foreign relations, math, and science.
For middle school students: Madden NFL ’07 is a surprisingly deep football game that has scored a touchdown with the critics. You might be thinking, “Why not just encourage my kids to actually play football?” A good point, but consider the following: Madden not only allows players to simulate football games, but they can manage teams, evaluate statistics, trade players, and develop play strategies. It’s a great way to develop quick critical-thinking skills while having a great time. Don’t forget to include dear old dad!
For elementary school students: Nintendogs, for the Nintendo DS, is a great game for both boys and girls (a rarity in the medium). It is a pet care simulation that allows the player to take care of several young puppies. The puppies will respond to petting, play, and love. You can even call out to your new pets using voice-recognition software.
As with all elements of pop culture, it’s important for homeschoolers to remember that guarding our hearts does not mean escaping into a bubble. There are countless destructive video games out there, but we shouldn’t let that keep us from enjoying the good ones. Check out Al Menconi Ministries for videogame reviews from a Christian perspective.