kalima

I have to give my 2¢ on video games and gameboys. I was one who didnt
want the darn things in my house. In my mind I had it they would rot my
kids brains and they would become lazy and not want to do anything but
play them. Hey I am big enough to admit I felt the same way about Legos.
I know what was I thinking? Still deschooling I suppose.

Walk into my house now you will find my son (9) not only has a gameboy
but a subscription to some game magazine. We also picked up an old Sega
genisis (ok so we aren't hip but so far no complaints). Why the change?
My dh bought Nate one and I put the rule he had to get x amount of work
done around the house before game time. Well then I noticed the kid who
hated to read was reading the manual. Nate swore up and down he couldnt
read. But there he was sitting on the couch reading. We went up to a
used game store and picked up more games with his allowence and he got a
membership that came with a magazine subscription to I believe it is The
Game Informer (or something like that). I don't really know as soon as
it hits the mail box Nate grabs it and runs to his room and reads it.
Again this is my son who didn't want to read.

I had to say this since someone else posted they worried their kid would
play nintendo all day. My son has gone from not reading at all to
reading chapter books and actually enjoying a trip to the library
because I let a gameboy in the house. Who knew. *L*

So never under estimate the learning power of something even if you
don't see it. This is what I am finding out as we take this unschooling
journey.

Shelly
mom to 5
Connecticut