Counselor’s Corner December 2012
A Guide to Video Game Giving
Clarissa Malecha, School Counselor Practicum Student
This holiday season many families will choose to buy video games for their sons or
daughters as gifts. There are so many choices in games that it is wise to do some research
upfront before purchasing a game or inviting a child to play alongside an adult.
Many of these games have violent themes; when exposed to this type of image some
children act out in aggressive play. Over the past years, we have seen an increase in aggression at
school as children have been injured while acting out video game scenarios. There are many
options that fit into nonviolent categories and are better choices for children at the elementary
level.
Here are some helpful tips in your holiday search:
1. Become familiar with the ratings set by the Entertainment Safety Ratings Board (ESRB)
and what they really mean:
 EC means games for Early Childhood ages
 E means for everyone
 E-10 means for everyone over the age of 10
 T is for teens
 M is for mature audiences or those older than 17 years of age
 AO is for Adults Only
You can look up game titles at the ESRB website found at http://www.esrb.org. Another great
website that categorizes games by age group is found at the Common Sense Media website,
found here at http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-lists. You can find everything from
cooking to car racing games appropriate for preschool to teen age groups.
2. It is important to teach grandparents, uncles and aunts, and friends who might be
purchasing games as gifts about your expectations when it comes to games that you allow
and don’t allow for your children. Teach your children about ratings and what is
appropriate for their needs as well.
3. Finally a few recommendations that will be exciting choices for your children:
 Team Umizoomi (EC)
 Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration (EC)
 Kirby Mass Attack (E)
 Dance Dance Revolution (E)
 Super Mario 3D Land (E)
 Mario Kart 7 (E)
 The Magic School Bus: Oceans (E)
 Cars 2 (E)
 Guilty Party (E)
 Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (E-10)
 Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet (E-10)\
*Recommendations taken from articles found at CNN.com, USAToday.com, Parenting.com, and from the Common
Sense Media website mentioned earlier.
References
“Best Wii Games for Kids” from Parenting Magazine
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/9-best-nintendo-wii-videogames-for-your-kids
“Best Games: Our Recommendations for Families”, Common Sense Media
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-lists
“How to Pick Video Games for Kids”, CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/12/10/kids.video.games/index.html
“Safe Video Games for Kids”, About.com
http://singleparents.about.com/od/settinglimits/tp/Safe_Video_Games.htm
“Top 10 Video Games for Kids this Year”, USAToday
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/jinnygudmundsen/story/2011-1204/great-holiday-video-games-for-kids/51588646/1