Memory Matching Game

This game uses your memory and observation skills. Your challenge is to find matching pictures, or to find the pictures that don't match with others, depending on the game you select. It's a fun game for children, and helps your child to practice and train visual memory skills.

PLAY HERE

Though it's tempting to tend to something else while your child is absorbed by the images and sounds of an electronic game, the greatest learning will take place when he's interacting with you as well as the game. Asking him questions, giving him a chance to show you what he's mastered and letting him describe a game as he sees it are all ways to help him get the most out of his computer or video-game playtime. (Don't be surprised, by the way, if he sees a game quite differently than you do.)

1. Ask your child questions about the video or computer games he likes. Your questions will get your child thinking about what comes next: What are you trying to do? What happens if you push that button? If you feel unsure of a game, join in and get to know what's involved.
2. Ask your child what he discovered about a new game or level. Find out what your child understands about his computer play. Because what he has accomplished is not the same as what he has discovered, you may need to ask guiding questions: What did you do that was new? Have you ever done that before?
3. Limit how much time your child plays electronic games. Physical games outdoors, interacting with friends and family, making arts and crafts, and exploring other kinds of play are all key to his development.
4. Familiarize yourself with game ratings and reviews beforehand.The Entertainment Software Ratings Board rates both video games and computer games. Web sites such as VideoGame Review offer editorial and consumer reviews. After reading a few reviews, rent or borrow a game and try it out before you consider buying it.

4 Software Qualities that Benefit Children's Development

1. Multiple levels of difficulty. Being able to set the skill level allows your child to begin in an open-ended "explore" mode. As he masters the program, he can then move on to more challenging levels at his own pace.
2. Chances to make decisions. Look for games and activities that give your child opportunities to express his preferences and interests, rather than having everything preset by the software. The freedom to select a color or a character at the outset of a game—as well as the chance to make other choices throughout the play—will develop your child's independence and sense of control
3. Multiple players at once. Playing a computer game or program with someone else—another child or perhaps you—gives your child a chance to talk about what he's learning and discovering. These conversations are a great way to find out what he is experiencing. You may be surprised: what you see your child doing may be different from what he thinks he's doing.
4. Absence of stereotypes and violence. Subtle gender and cultural bias may be embedded in some activities. A character's voice, for example, may connect a certain accent to a negative behavior. Read online reviews or rent games before you make any purchase. Avoid games whose characters use violence to resolve conflict.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/videogames-preschool.html