There are 3.2 billion video gamers in the world, with a significant portion of that audience being made up of younger people. Esports is becoming an increasingly popular hobby among children and teenagers, and as a parent, there are several ways that you can support your child’s gaming passion.
Understand the Benefits of Esports
Esports and competitive games can be a great way for your child to develop their hand-eye coordination, teamwork skills, and strategic thinking abilities. It can also provide them with opportunities to develop leadership skills and build a sense of community with other players.
Despite a history of negative press, research has found that video games can be a fantastic avenue for social learning and development.
Familiarise Yourself With Video Games
Take some time to understand the games your child is playing, and learn about the different strategies and tactics involved in each one. This will help you connect with your child’s hobby and have meaningful conversations about it. Due to gaming being cemented in the digital world, there is an abundance of resources at your fingertips. From articles to videos, you can even find academic studies on video games.
If you want to take the plunge yourself, why not give gaming a go? Playing together, even allowing your child to teach you their favourite games, can be a fantastic way to bond with one another.
Provide the equipment to support your child’s gaming passion
Esports requires specialised equipment, such as gaming keyboards, mice, and monitors. Invest in good quality equipment for your child, and ensure it is suitable for their games. Luckily we have some of the best gaming equipment available which support high-quality gaming so why not checkout our venue and book a session! Staff are also happy to discuss where and how to purchase gaming equipment.
Set Boundaries to Support Their Learning
The amount of time a child is spending behind the screen is often a concern of many parents, so it’s important to set boundaries and talk with your child about finding a healthy balance between gaming and other activities. Encourage them to take breaks, go outside, and engage in other activities such as physical exercises and pursuing other interests. Children always benefit from a well-rounded lifestyle. You can also set limits on screen time to ensure they are not overconsuming digital content. Article Sponsored Find something for everyone in our collection of colourful, bright and stylish socks. Buy individually or in bundles to add color to your drawer!
An even better way to manage their time gaming is by enrolling them into an Esports Academy that can help provide guidance in self-restraint and mediation.
Help Your Child Find a Gaming Community
Esports can be a solitary hobby, so help your child find a community of like-minded players. Training sessions such as those offered at the New Meta Academy help your child be part of a community where they can learn from peers and develop friendships.
You can also join forces with other parents to help connect your children’s gaming accounts with one another! Becoming friends on gaming apps means that kids can still play games together from home, keeping them in touch with people that you trust.
Support Your Child’s Goals
Just like any other hobby, esports requires practice and dedication. Support your child’s goals and encourage them to keep improving. Help them find resources, such as tutorials and training videos, to improve their skills!
Engaging in conversation about their in-game achievements can also help them strive for improvement – after all, kids want their parents to be proud of them!
Encourage Good Sportsmanship
While esports can be competitive, it’s important to emphasise the importance of good sportsmanship and respectful behaviour toward other players. Encourage your child to be gracious in both victory and defeat and to treat other players with kindness and respect. This can not only improve their gaming experience but also foster important life skills that they can apply outside of gaming.
Gaming with their peers in-person can also greatly assist in building a more positive attitude towards online interactions. In an increasingly digital world, we understand the importance of remembering that there is a head between the headphones, and every voice is attached to another person!
Attend Esports Events With Your Child
Esports events can be a great way for your child to connect with the larger gaming community and learn about new games and strategies. Attend events with your child and learn more about the world of esports together.
As a parent, nobody knows better what’s important for your kids. However, older generations are often quick to ignore things they were pre-conditioned to think are a “waste of time”, despite the fact that most research into the topic points to the opposite. Even a short google search will unveil that Esports offers unique benefits to your child’s development and parents that support their child’s gaming passion often find that it spurs their mental growth and brings them closer together.
The New Meta Esports Academy offers free trial classes. Register here!
