Preschoolers as video gamers

Abstract

The results of a qualitative study of preschool-aged (five and six year old) gamers are presented. Videogames salespeople, parents, caregivers and teachers were surveyed; participating children (N=91) were observed; their behavioral patterns were registered. Adults express either concern or neutral attitudes towards playing video games; few of them are aware of positive and negative aspects, while the others pay little or no attention to the gaming practice. The observation shows that children are in varying degrees dependent on the adults' support. Preschoolers play educational and entertaining video games: they are interested in both achievements and cognition, react in an animistic manner towards computers and characters in the games. Their problems in comprehending the rules and instructions often result in failures. Gender specifics and age differences are also discussed. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.