Commentary about Pokémon GO has turned into a national conversation, and opinions about real life gaming have been prolific on tech and parenting blogs. As a blogger myself, I’ve been reading about the advantages and disadvantages of being able to catch Pokémon with an iPhone. But one comment that really caught my attention simply stated the importance of discussion during the gaming experience, which is a helpful reminder worth sharing more broadly.
In the August 2016 issue of Children’s Technology Review, Warren Buckleitner published his thoughts on Pokémon GO:
“The game is loaded with local history facts, which are tied to earning the Pokéballs needed to catch Pokémon. But without discussion they’re only facts. Ask your child to share and discuss what they find.”
When reading Warren’s comment, it felt relevant not only for gaming, but also for parenting. Having discussions with my kids helped me progress through 13 years of parenting. A consistent back and forth exchange of ideas enabled me connect with them to reach agreement and understanding.
In that light, Pokémon GO can be a great source of conversation starters for families.
Here are 10 Pokémon GO discussion questions for kids
- Can you show me how to play Pokémon GO?
- What are Pokéstops?
- How do you catch a Pokémon?
- Who are your favorite Pokémon? Why? How many have you collected?
- Where have you found the most Pokémon? Why do you think they like that location?
- I keep hearing about Pokémon game terms, like gyms, eggs and leveling up. Can you explain those terms to me? What do they mean?
- Have you ever been in a Pokémon battle?
- What is your Trainer name? Why did you choose it?
- What are some ideas you have to stay safe and sensible while playing the game?
- When would be a good time to turn the game off? Or on?
Next time you find yourself in the virtual reality of Pokémon GO, remember to ask a child these Pokémon GO discussion questions to start a conversation about what they think!
For more information about Children’s Technology Review, visit www.childrenstech.com or follow them on Twitter or Instagram at @childtech. Don’t miss CTREX, their massive online database of over 12,000 academic reviews of children’s interactive media products. CTREX is an ideal search tool for teachers, librarians and parents who are constructing their digital learning initiatives for the new school year.
Lorraine Akemann | Co-Founder and Editor | Moms With Apps
Photo credit Flickr
Thank you very much, it is an interesting stuff: the discussion around Pokemon is huge one.. I shared this link on FB.
Thank you Tatyana for sharing on FB!