You have no idea how much Mr 4 and my partner have been salivating over this game. Mr 4 was/is obsessed with the Harry Potter LEGO game on X-box. My man loves Star Wars and X-box. That’s right. We are one of those families who has a pretty relaxed approach towards our children being involved in technology.
We received a free copy for review purposes, but the fantastic news for you is that I also will be giving away two copies of LEGO Star Wars III The Clone Wars for X-box. It’s only just been released and has an all-new graphics engine and enhanced animations never seen before on a LEGO game. I’m in awe of the hype surrounding this game at the moment. Missy 10 was playing Neopets this afternoon and discovered that Star Wars LEGO was on there too!
As a mum, I like that it’s perfect for both Mr 4 and Missy 10. It’s rated ‘Everyone 10+’. I personally have found it to be fine for my kids under ten as well, but it’s a decision each parent must make themselves. This game encourages a huge amount of eye-hand coordination. It’s a highly cognitive experience, too. Just this afternoon, Mr 4 enjoyed matching shapes and colours, and completing puzzles to continue his mission. It provides lots of opportunities to problem-solve, for example, Mr 4 was faced with needing to get across a gap between two ledges that was too wide to jump. Using LEGO pieces, he was able to work out a way to build a bridge to walk across. There’s also construction challenges.
For anyone who’s worried about children who play computer games not using their imagination, I can vouch that whenever my son plays any LEGO games, he carries it into his imaginative/dramatic play in a big way. Missy 2, who has had a try at the game (although it’s a little hard for her) also likes to incorporate what she’s seen into her imaginary play, and so they run around play-acting together. They’re also keen for us to get them some LEGO play sets as a result too, so in that regard, it’s re-ignited their interest in constructive/destructive play.
I asked the kids what they thought of the game, and Missy 10 said it’s ‘really fun’. Mr 4 told me it’s ‘totally awesome’. Missy 2 pretty much parroted what the other two said…
My partner has been playing it a lot too, he absolutely loves it. He says it’s really funny! All in all, I’m happy to see the little ones having their minds challenged without realizing it.
Although I’m giving away the X-box version (RRP: $78), the game is also available in store for PS3, Wii, DS and PC.
If you’d like to enter, here’s the process:
First two actions are mandatory
- Leave a comment with your best tip on how you encourage your children to use technology safely and in moderation. If you don’t have kids, you can still give a tip on how kids could be encouraged.
- Sign up for Hear Mum Roar’s email updates.
Optional entries (one extra entry per action)
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- Tweet this giveaway.
This giveaway will be drawn on April 7th, 2011. Open to Australians only.
PS: I hope you guys don’t mind that I’m doing two giveaways in a row. This won’t be a regular occurrence, it’s just that because my blog crashed, it’s caused an overlap on the giveaway time line. Good luck, everyone!
My comment – The rule in our house is technology is for the weekends unless it is for school. So x-box and DS is a no go zone during the week. We also keep our computer in our main living area,the kids need to also check with us before using it. They must also let us know which sites they are visiting so we can monitor what they see.
Some good boundaries there, Fiona:)
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I think the key to kids using technology safely is to always supervise them… have computers and games in a common area where you can watch what is going on (never in bedrooms). I just subscribed to your newsletter too
I couldn’t agree more, Monique.
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I really really want to enter by can’t figure out where I sign up to receive the emails.
I’m sorry Marita, having loads of technical issues at the moment, it’s going to take some time to fix them. Explanation is here: http://hearmumroar.com/2011/03/my-mind-soup/
In our house technology for leisure is used on a rewards basis, when homework and chores are done then the kids are free to have fun!
I love that idea, Amanda!
limit time play the game with them
Both great ideas, Jeff:)
We are total star wars fans in our house and my kids love to play on technology. Our rule is that it is only done on the weekends. Sometimes we use a timer to help keep children to a time limit. When the bell rings the time is up! simple and no fuss.
We’ve used the timer method in the past too, Naomi, it really helps, doesn’t it?
As the world we once knew is progressing into a world where technology such as computers become an everyday necessity, it is important that kids are educated on how they can use it properly without detriment to their development. There is software that can be purchased to limit what a child can access, but I believe providing a clear definition of the boundary between recreation and necessity is the most helpful thing a parent could do when introducing their child to technology. Growing up thinking that Video Games are a reward for completing useful tasks would have certainly improved my results as a child in school, and I have no doubt this is applicable to a significant proportion of my generation. So to summarise, using the exciting aspect of Video Games as a tool to encourage children into learning is my tip to teaching kids to use the technology available in a healthy and safe manner, even products such as ‘Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego’, which is a game that relies heavily on the power of deduction and also geographical knowledge whilst being short in length, and promoting the fact that children have to know the correct answers before progressing in gameplay, can be of use given the child is aware that the primary function of playing is to learn.
Connor, I’ve always loved Carmen Sandiego, still do.
Get involved! Sharing your child’s interests means that you can monitor what they are doing without spoiling their fun. It is also important to explain the dangers lurking on the internet and encourage them to share their opinions.
So true, Merryl. My partner spends the time with the kids on the xbox, and we both monitor the internet. We’ve been teaching our eldest the internet safety side of things since she was able to write/type, and still drum it in to this day.
I LOVE the Star Wars lego game myself!. My tip is to be involved yourself, show interest then you know what is going on and then when communcation lines are open – they are more receptive to listen because you are making the time to do there stuff!
Very true, Shelley:)
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So I must be subscribed.
My tip – teach by example, show the children that you only spend limited time with electronics. And then get out there doing things together.
We usually stop at the park on the way home from school for a good play outside and afternoon tea picnic. Then when we get home there is an hour of TV before we switch it off for dinner. Following dinner the TV stays off, we do homework, reading and then straight into bedtime routine.
That’s an important point, Marita. It’s so important that we be the role model, which is one reason I don’t believe banning technology completely works when they have tech-head parents like us, lol!
Only use the x-box on the weekend. Always put the resctrictions on the computer on strict and always be under parental supervision. And always put an anti-virus protection programme on just in case.
Good tips Michael, thank you:)
Never allow electronics in a child’s bedroom. Constant monitoring of computer activites, and I personally don’t believe in children under 16 being allowed on social network sites. Game consoles are best limited to time limits per week, and non-violent games. At the end of the day, we as parents purchase the electronics and the games, so we do have the last say in their use.
Karen, we’re very similar here; we keep it in the main living areas too, and don’t allow any chat-type activity. My eldest is 10, and I’m honestly dreading when she becomes a teen and wants to chat.
Our children all have a time allowance per day that they are allowed to use any type of computer/gaming device (excluding use for school assignments). The second rule (which only applies to the 12yo and 15yo as they are the only ones who have a laptop they can access without our help) is that they are not allowed to use a laptop in their bedrooms where we can’t see what they’re doing. We have some flexibility with the older two if they negotiate doing something particular in their room and in this case my husband monitors the use/sites accessed via his computer. We have regular conversations about safety when using the internet. It’s all about being totally engaged with your kids, encouraging openness and talking, talking and more talking.
P.S. I’ve subscribed to your feed.
I agree with all of this, Ali. I’ve found with teens, it also helps to password protect the computer as well, so they have to get you involved if they even want to turn it on. Learned that one the hard way with step son, lol!
I have taught my children the dangers of the Internet, but that doesn’t always work so i have put a safety net program in my computer which blocks out random add, swearing, and doesn’t allow the kids to send and receive emails or images without passwords which parents can only control. So far it has worked, the net nanny was also another good program. governments also have some they give for free
Alison, I haven’t tried any of those programs yet, I really must one day. We’ve been putting it off until our children are chatting on there ( a long way off), but really, it wouldn’t hurt to get familiar with it now.
We encourage educational games and have set times and time limits, as outdoor play is so important!
This is very true:)
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I have a 7 year old boy and I also play games on my xbox. I love to game but I cannot really play for long in front of my boy because it sets a bad example so I will only really play when he is not there and when we are together I will push for us to go outside instead and play football or ride bikes. Technology has its place and it is a great source of fun though I would hate for my boy to only see the wonders of the world depending on how good the graphics are haha. I let him play for 30 mins a night but no more then I get him to help me put dishes away and clean the kitchen by called us Team Dunning the 20 minute mission and we see how much we can get done in 20 minutes.
Go Team Dunning! Love it!
I set my iphone timer for 20mins etc and they can play until the timer goes off then they need to do something outside before Ill reset it
Marie, is there anything a humble iPhone can’t do? lol I love mine
Ie always supervise our children using technology and limit the time they spend on it.I think its actually important they learn to use it understand its place in our lives.
I agree Rachael, if we shield them from it, they’ll just go over the top the first chance they get
awsome stuff
Glad you liked it, Sam.
%25 internet 75% outdoors
That’s a fair ratio, Craig:)
Too bad I’m not Australian and I guess it’s too late to enter anyway but my 8 year-old loves Lego and Star Wars and would have loved to win a copy!
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