Teach Children Like A Video Game With A Clearly Established Rule Set

Kids these days are surrounded by different types of technology, and video games are one of the most popular. Kids understand how progress and the consequences of their actions work in video games, and a similar rule set for their daily life can help them apply that knowledge to the real world.

Photo by Josh Davis

Video games have clearly defined rule sets that determine whether players can advance or not. Brett and Kate Mckay at The Art of Manliness suggest using your own established rule set — similar to a video game — to teach good behaviour and work ethic to your kids:

Keep your rules clear and simple, just like in a video game: input A gets you output B. Every. Single. Time.Giving your child consistent limits, rewards, and discipline is one key in helping them develop an “internal locus of control.” People with an internal locus of control believe that by doing A, they can get B — they see a correlation between action and consequences versus believing in blind luck or that the world is out to get them. Show your kids that good behaviour leads to reward, bad behaviour leads to punishment.

Kids can’t beg a video game to give them a new item or advance them to the next level; they have to earn it. Be clear about the rules, but be strict. Allow your children to reap rewards only if they accomplish what was required. The same goes for punishment. Just like a video game, if they do something wrong, punish them. Mario doesn’t get to keep going if he falls down a pit, even if he screams and cries. With these techniques, kids can learn how important their actions are, and see first hand how their consequences affect the real world. Read more about parenting like a video game at the link below.

Why You Should Parent Like a Video Game [The Art of Manliness]