Research on child development and education shows that interactive toys and games are essential in helping children develop their skills and abilities. So what is the definition of an interactive game? If you think about it, most toys and games could be described as requiring or encouraging a certain amount of interaction from children, but some games can be said to be more passive than others. To give a good example, a TV show is about as passive as it sounds and while technically not a game and more of an activity that someone participates in, watching a TV show is passive. Unless, of course, you encourage your child to comment on the events of what is happening on the TV show. For example, you could ask your child what she thinks will happen next during the story. Another thing you could do is ask what color a certain character is or if you think she is being good or bad. This brings up the question of morality and is obviously extremely critical in your child’s education. So while watching a TV show is a very passive pastime, some degree of interactivity can still be built into this type of activity and it can be educational in the right amounts.
The other extreme is a toy or game that actually requires interaction to make it work, like a game that requires your child to press a button to make a sound or choose between pressing 3 different buttons to answer a question. This aids decision making and the interactive toy or game can provide positive feedback to show your child that they have made the right decision. This helps reinforce correct behavior and encourages your child to play more and, in turn, learn more. It’s great to see your child under 10 playing with interactive toys and games because you know that what he is doing is very positive and that it is helping him learn. I always think that it is a good idea and to educate your child yourself even if you go to school because the more you learn about the world and your environment, the more information you will absorb and the more knowledge you will acquire. It’s great to learn and there are many different types of interactive games for kids.