COVID + frequent winter storms = cooped inside for long periods of time with a toddler. The principle shifts from “no screen time” to “what quality of screen time?”
Well, I’ve found Pokemon Stadium (N64 ROM via Google TV) to be a good after-dinner family activity for the following reasons:
- It’s easy. No advanced reflexes are required like sidescrollers, RPGs, or even puzzle games like Tetris. You can take your sweet time deciding your next move (of which there are only 4), and it’s nothing more complicated than beating down the other opponent’s health.
- It’s interactive. The whole family gets involved deciding what’s the next move, or what Pokemon to choose, so lots of opportunity for a child to input towards a shared goal.
- Learn English. “Agility,” “seismic toss,” “super effective,” “supersonic.” The usage of these words isn’t complicated, but they are still animated in engaging ways to give someone a sense of what the words mean.
- Learn math. The HPs have some decently-sized numbers as the levels get higher. Pokemon in the end is about math and how to get the biggest attacks, so lots of good math conversation.
- Learn science. Use electricity to beat water. Use ground to take down electricity. Use psychic against ghosts in your house (..?). Life skills here.
- It’s fun. My wife and I also get really into it, because there’s a good mix of luck and strategy. And the characters are cute, which kids like.
