Things You'll Need:
- Time to research
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Step 1
Knowing what stage your child is at is important to selecting a video game to fit them. For instance, Nintendo makes a lot of video games for the Nintendo DS for preschoolers who are just getting into video games. They are quite educational. But, some children are more advanced than others and could quickly get bored with them. If you know the child well you will be able to decide if these games would be appropriate and beneficial for them.
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Step 2
Find out what characters they enjoy. All cartoon characters now have video games based off of television and movies, and the games are usually easy to play. All of the games I have played that featured cartoon characters are quite educational, and very easy for a child to pick up the concept of the game quickly.
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Step 3
Select a game with a high replay value. You want a video game that is going to last a long time, because they are not always very inexpensive. At first they may not understand the whole game, but it will challenge their minds to keep them playing.
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Step 4
Sit down with your child and show them how to play the game. This will show you what their skills are and what types of games they are capable of playing. From there you will be able to make a better decision on what future video games to purchase for your child. Also, you can scour the internet and find reviews of video games from parents who have tried them out with their children.
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Step 5
Go to a video game store and find out what system is best for your child. My personal advice is either the Nintendo Wii or for a handheld system the Nintendo DS. They seem to be a lot easier for children to pick up games easier. The Nintendo DS uses a stylus, and it is more like drawing with a crayon than using a control pad to move your character around. The Nintendo Wii uses a Wii Mote that you point at the screen. Both of these systems seem a little easier for preschoolers to use than others.
