Animal Crossing
Who would have thought that a simple Nintendo GameCube game would improve my boy's reading and writing skills! I railed against the purchase of the GameCube and though I monitored the games they purchased, I had yet to find any of "value" beyond hand/eye coordination. However, I was soon to be mistaken that the GameCube is completely useless. Anyone who has boys knows they are notoriously not interested in the "art" of reading and writing. Rather they gravitate towards the large motor skill subjects like science and math manipulatives. However, recently Eric and Ryan pooled their birthday and work money (we don't give allowances, rather they earn their "income" from chores and attitude while doing them) and purchased the game Animal Crossing. During this game they learn quite a few life skills like budgeting, making money, investing, improving their community to attract neighbours, and communicating with the other residence of their community and other communities. The primary communication tool is reading and writing letters. I am now asked frequently what that specific word is (which we then sound out and usually discuss the uniqueness of the English language) and how to spell words as they send letters to each other and their neighbours. They are both reading much faster than they had previously and their spelling is improving daily. Even Brendan is really enjoying the game, it is truly amazing how strong children's memorization skills are who are not yet readers. Even he is "writing" letters, all gibberish, but fun to recieve anyway. Even Allan and I have joined in on the fun, each of us has our own "community" which they boys visit and we in turn visit theirs (the three boys live in the same community). What fun!