Playing Smarter in a Digital World

Summary

Playing Smarter in a Digital World will show you how children can benefit from playing video games and using apps!

• Recognize the value of digital play for children and understand how they can benefit from video games, apps, and other technologies
• Discover how executive function skills can be enhanced through the use of digital play
• Learn how to choose and use video games, apps, and technologies to help children improve such skills as planning, memory, focus, self-control, organization, and time management
• Learn about the power of digital media to help typical children and those with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other social/emotional difficulties

Overview

A book to help parents to make their children's digital playtime educational. Digital play, when used appropriately, can be a powerful tool for learning skills such as planning, time management, cooperation, creativity, and digital literacy. The book’s clearly articulated strategies help parents use digital media in a more effective manner and, at the same time, set effective limits and implement a healthy “play diet” for their children. A section devoted to exploring specific strategies for using digital media with children in specific populations—such as children affected by ADHD, autism spectrum and learning disorders, and other mental health and educational issues—is also featured, as is a list of specific games, apps, and tools to make game-based learning most effective.

What the Experts Say About The Book

The digital world poses countless problems for contemporary parents who did not themselves grow up in it. Randy Kulman has come to their rescue with a well-balanced approach that takes both child development and the special demands of digital learning into account. He provides useful guides for assessing children’s digital cognitive skills and well thought out strategies for remediating children who need help mastering them. A very important guide for parents and those who want to do a responsible job of balancing the digital and real experiences they provide for children.
—Dr. David Elkind, author of The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally and The Hurried Child : Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon, Third Edition

For all parents, but particularly those parents with ADHD, ASD, and LD concerns, descriptions of how to use digital tools and video games to improve executive function skills will be invaluable. Dr. Kulman is one who recognizes that the 21st century is already here!
—Roy Seitsinger, Ph.D., Superintendent of Westerly Public Schools in Rhode Island

Contents

Preface

1. Parenting in a Digital World
2. Digital Play and Learning
3. Digital Media and the Development of Executive-Functioning
4. Video Games and Learning
5. Generalization: Transforming Game Skills into Real-World Skills
6. The Need for a Healthy Play Diet
7. Developmental Guidelines for a Healthy Play Diet
8. Technology Time: How Much Is Too Much?
9. Planning
10. Working Memory
11. Flexibility
12. Focus
13. Self-Awareness
14. Self-Control
15. Organization
16. Time Management
17. Video Games and Apps for Children with ADHD
18. Video Games and Apps for Children Affected by Autism
19. Parenting and Educating Digital Children