This is part 4 of the Growing Up Geek series. The conclusion of this series.
- I’m an avid geek with 2 amazing boys.
- This series captures a lot of the observations I’ve had watching my imaginative boys engage in exploration of fun & games.
- My hope is that other Dads out there, or child-friendly geeks, will find some amusement and perhaps some useful techniques to share their hobbies with the next generation.
Image may be NSFW.
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Toy Time!
There are few words that I cherish and dread as much as “Toy Time”.
This is how my oldest son, James, asks me to play with him. Normally it is said with immense enthusiasm at a high squeaky pitch about 10 seconds after I have walked in the door. Really, it is how my boy tells me he has missed me and wants to spend quality time with me. Despite this, it is exhausting to put on my storyteller/make-believe hat immediately upon concluding a 10 hour work day.
I am happy that I find the energy to indulge James with this activity quite frequently. He gets a lot out of these sessions. Social interaction from making the toys talk. Imagination is flexed to its limits as Sonic the Hedgehog rides on a talking pirate ship named “Anchors Away”, as he rescues Pokemon from evil robots and pirates. And James learns some basics of story telling (today he told me that the crew would meet Om Nom in the 3rd Act), as he tries out his jokes and humour.
It has been very useful sticking with his terminology. James realizes that Daddy has “toy time” too. I refer to Sundays at the local game shop as Daddy’s “play dates”. This all helps James put it in a social context he can understand. He is very curious about my hobby and now he is quite comfortable hanging out with the boys while we play Warmachine. He likes to ask how my games are going and comment on cool looking models.
James has now challenged a couple of my friends to games of Warmachine. He brings a handful of his Skylanders and carefully explains what each one does and points out which one is his Warcaster. The imaginative play is non-stop though, and many models are known to develop new abilities mid-activation. I’ve also noticed that his faction seems to have an abnormal amount of interaction with terrain. I’ve been assassinated a couple times by having a house dropped on me.
If You Organize It, They Will Play
Ok… don’t ever tell a kid that you “might” be able to do anything. It’s either yes or no. Adults have options, personal interests, sleep deficits, and chores in such abundance that they always have something else to do. Kids… not so much. If you make a commitment to play a game with your child, keep it.
Make a plan. Determine when toy time will start & end. Talk about how long a video game can be played. Provide reminders.
In many ways I’ve come to realize that organizing game time with my boys very similar to being a Press Ganger. I find similar techniques work in organizing games with my sons as games with the boys at the shop.
- Show enthusiasm. If you’re excited about it, other people will be!
- Be prepared. Know what toys/materials you are going to need and make sure you have them on hand.
- Communicate expectations. Specify the dates/times of events, any limitations and specifications.
- Get creative. Find an interesting format, break from routine (maybe dig up a unique prize for a tournament, run a new format).
Works for 4 year olds. Works for 34 year olds too. Image may be NSFW.
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Growing Up QuicklyImage may be NSFW.
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With James almost in Kindergarten, a lot of the cognitive/developmental articles I’ve written about James’ early experiences as a gamer are becoming outdated.
Additionally, I am now an active Press Ganger in my local community, and our gaming club is building towards a greater involvement attending and running regional tournaments.
I will likely wrap up the Growing Up Geek series with this post. I may revisit this project if I come up with any fatherly epiphanies, but I’ll probably have more to write about toy/game reviews for kids and updates from our local gaming community, which is also filled with talented painters.
I have now acquired 10 tables, 10 chess clocks, multiple pieces of terrain, dozens of sets of scenario templates, and several table surfaces/mats. My goal is to organize a 20 player WarmaHordes event before the end of 2014. Many things to plan. Many things to write about. See you out there.
Happy gaming.
– SprocketMonkey –
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