The Darien Times

Parent Awareness Network presents: The good, the bad and the ugly of video games

Written by The Darien Times
Friday, January 06, 2012 07:00 AM

How much time is too much in front of a video screen? How do video games help my children or engage them in meaningful, educational ways? Is there value in playing video games at all?

The YWCA's Parent Awareness Network will present a community talk about gaming on Thursday morning, Jan. 12, at 9:30, at Ox Ridge School, 395 Mansfield Ave.

Video games can challenge you to think about learning in different ways, and research shows that playing them can have many positive benefits for kids. Parents nowadays have many questions and concerns around video games and gaming in general. Join Luke Forshaw, assistant principal of Ox Ridge School for an informative talk that will include the latest research in the field of gaming.

In this talk he will explore the relationships between learning, behavior and video games. This session will provide an opportunity to engage with ideas from the fields of cognitive science, educational research and sociology to better understand the impact video game play has on young people. As a group, we will navigate these findings to make personal meaning and gain clarity on this important topic.

Forshaw is a teacher with experience practicing pre-K-12 and at the college and graduate school levels. He is in the process of completing a doctoral dissertation at Teachers College of Columbia University.

The program, provided free of charge, is sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk Parent Awareness Network in collaboration with Ox Ridge School. Parent Awareness is a YWCA program that promotes the healthy, positive development of Darien youth and families. Parent awareness is also a member of Thriving Youth: Connected Community: TYCC is a catalyst for developmental asset building through meaningful relationship experiences, skills and opportunities that benefit all our children.

More info: 203-655-2535, pa@ywcadariennorwalk.org