My Almost 7 Year Old Wants Games on the Computer

Hi Joanna. If I'm reading your post correctly, you said she struggles with games geared toward her age group. Have you tried going on the internet to tv websites? I know my nieces are 4 and 7 and when they come to my parents' house my Dad just goes on the internet and looks up what ever tv shows the girls are into and can usually find games on the tv channel websites. They are usually free and you don't have to download anything. I know there are usually websites associated with the toys they play with too. They both like to go to the website for Littlest Pet Shop where they can play matching games and things like that. Try doing a search on the internet of things she already enjoys and you'll probably find games on their websites. Hope I've helped!

Check out PBSKids online. It is a monthly subscription (cheap) and well worth it. There is an entire "world" for your daughter to explore with art projects, games and learning. It adjusts itself to her individual level and levels up as she learns or get bored with things, plus there is a parents page where you can see her progress and do things like limit the amount of time she can play at one sitting. We put this on our computer for our son when he was just 5 and he still plays with it a year and a half later.

What about the Sims? There is no "winning" in the game, but you could talk a lot about what is going on in the game. Some of the content might not be appropriate, but if you could find the first version of the game, that might work. (The characters can have sex with each other, clothed, things like that, but that does not appear until the second version of the game.) You build and furnish houses and create characters, families, etc. Go to work, make money -- it is a virtual world, one that can be quite engrossing.

I have a 5 1/2 year-old on the spectrum and just recently we started him on the computer. In my opinion, it is really trial and error as far as finding games. We have our son on sites like Disney and Nick Jr. We have a Webkinz and he really likes the site but most of the games are hard. Speaking with people who work with your daughter to provide some of her serives -- speech, OT, school etc....they may know of sites that are appropriate and interesting. Sometimes just a good Google search may find you something - Good Luck

Have you tried the Sesame Street (sesamestreet.org) or Disney Channel websites? Both have games. My kids aren't nearly as old as yours (2 and 6 mn), so I'm not sure if they're still age appropriate, but I'd think they would be.

Buy some Cd's. We used the jumpstart Cd's based upon grade level -- they augment school, but there are also games in them. And we bought Freddy the Fish Cd's and Putt Putt Saves the Zoo, and does other stuff, I'm sure. Those are older, as my kids are 14 and 16, but they were fun Cd's, and we did them together the first time through, and the whole family had fun with them.

I would be very leary of having a 7 yr old online-- except perhaps to kiddo.net.

If you go to Best Buy, you'll find a bunch of games to choose from, and if you start below her age level, you'll be able to see what she can do and can't do. Plus she'll have you there to coach when the thought process might challenge her. :-)

Hi

Have you tried ClubPenguin? My girls love it & I also have a 7 yr. old daughter on the spectrum.

Do you live near Horsham?? I would like to talk more with you.

Thanks,
D.

This might not be what you are looking for, but our family loves Roller Coaster Tycoon. My son started playing the first version when he was three (of course he needed a lot of help) and he still loves the game at almost 6. We did get the next RCT 2 & 3, but the first one is the best for younger kids and is still available to be purchased online. The game teaches budgeting, problem solving etc so it isn't even "just a game". Gage loves amusement parks and this games allows him create his own. He loves to watch the people and see what they are doing and where they go.