What do you think kids learn from playing VMK?

[tofubeast]

As an adult with no kids.... I have no actual first hand knowledge, but am still curious. If you have kids (or are a kid) what have they/you learned from vmk? I would like to think that maybe there are subtle lessons to be learned outside of just playing this FUN game. I imagine that there just must be another layer as an aspect of playing VMK. Just curious if you have any experiences to share. Hoperfully they are positive...or at least constructive!

What comes to mind for me would be:

-The value of learning to save credit which can apply to every day... Earning, spending and saving!
-Trading (what kinds of trades are fair, how to protect against scamming..)
-Protecting yourself online (would like to think maybe the vmk values that the game asserts perhaps transcends to other online activities? Maybe I am being too optimistic here!)
-Polite interactions with others. (yes, we all see people being rude in the game. But I "glove" when I see others call these people out, espcially when the Hosts remind them to be polite as well. If only "booting" were so easy in real life!)


Your thoughts??

 

[KrazyPete]

Mine are 5 and 10. I'd say keyboarding skills are the most valuable things they learn by playing VMK.

 

[aengus]

I agree, my daughter learned the keyboard. Its amazing how fast she can type now.

Oh OH, she also learned her dad was super cool

 

[ttacandtad]

reading skills are greatly improved by playing vmk because they have to read everything to play and communicate. bugchris started playing last year and his reading was at level for a first grader, now this year he is in second grade and at a 5th grade reading level and i believe it is from vmk, he reads what everyone says and sends messages to his friends. so definatly reading skills !!

 

[aensming]

Creativity and spatial skills are enhanced when learning to build rooms and rides.

Patience!

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

Mine are 5 and 10. I'd say keyboarding skills are the most valuable things they learn by playing VMK.

I also AGREE. I have learned alot to type. We do this thing called Mavis Beacon in school. I used to hate it, rofl because i stunk.

Now, i can type without looking at the keyboard. 56 words per minute.

Or thats what the program said )

And just with looking, taking a glance sorta, 79 words per minute.

 

[tofubeast]

Very interesting re: the typing skills. I would have never thought about that because I get frustrated when I get a "typing ticket" on vmk for typing too fast!

But a great point. When I was a teen, I was a lousy typer. As soon as I discovered the internet in my later teens, I was a typing maestro!

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

I think the politness gets to you after a while oh and values of things the saving is a big one ( if only money was as easy to obtain ) well I know my younger brother learned how to keep time just for host events and he can type like a bullet now same as me. And patience he use to have intsant gratfication now he has the ablity to wait probably from waiting in lines ( he still doesn't know what vmk pass is ) and for me my typing has gotten better becuase I basically had to learn vmk language I was fast before but i've improved and mic I so agree with the mavis beacon thing

 

[poohluv2u]

I agree, my daughter learned the keyboard. Its amazing how fast she can type now.

Oh OH, she also learned her dad was super cool

**snicker**

you have such a healthy ego Aengus!

 

[mtlhddoc2]

my son learned the B word from VMK

 

[KrazyPete]

you have such a healthy ego Aengus!

You call that healthy?

 

[DonaldDuck4LifeDUCK]

I think I have learned spelling, typing, and communication skills.

 

[tinkabellspirate]

Don't forget they learn how to trick mom or pop off the computer.

 

[PrincessWendyBird]

My two, ages 7 and 10, have learned the terms "crashing" and "lag"!

But seriously, I think it has been a great way to learn about internet safety. It also teaches patience in this age of instant gratification. Between technical issues with VMK or having to be persistant in practicing the games. It's also been a good lesson in life isn't always what you think is fair. When that confetti magic came out for 10,000 credits, my DS could only utter, "rip off artists". We had a nice discussion about supply and demand and then we were off to the mansion! lol

As for me, I learned that my 7 year old daughter can blow me out of the water at pirates!

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

My little brother learned how to tell time so he knows when host events start and end so theres that.

 

[Belle1997]

Well I think it is not just kids that learn. When I first joined VMK I had not played computer games nor any video games except mario brothers racing and golf lol. I had no clue how to play games and so bad the first crown I earned was by sticking littlebelle on the jungle cruise and letting her just ride around.

It gave me confidence to try new things and found I really enjoyed building.

Yes it helped my typing too. Unfortunately my spelling has gotten worst. Still want to type on instead of one too instead of two lol.

So it took a game like VMK to get me out of the old and lame club to one who plays a pretty awesome game of mansion

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

Well I think it is not just kids that learn. When I first joined VMK I had not played computer games nor any video games except mario brothers racing and golf lol. I had no clue how to play games and so bad the first crown I earned was by sticking littlebelle on the jungle cruise and letting her just ride around.

It gave me confidence to try new things and found I really enjoyed building.

Yes it helped my typing too. Unfortunately my spelling has gotten worst. Still want to type on instead of one too instead of two lol.

So it took a game like VMK to get me out of the old and lame club to one who plays a pretty awesome game of mansion

Woot! to that!

 

[SkippyPaul]

From moms point of view:
* I have learned how to eat any type of food while playing pirates.
* And I've learned how to do chores in 7.5 sec to get back on vmk.
From MY point of view:
* I've learned to use my imagination and make rooms
* I've learned to use the keyboard a bit better
* I've learned that staff do not appreciate having a tiki "toy let" in vmk
* Ive developed patience and understanding of younger dudes
* I've learned the value of a credit and applied it to a dollar hmm ?
* Ive learned that no matter how older peeps say "oh hes doing that for attention" that they actually need way more attention.
* I've learned how to match my shirt and pants rofl (ty Sweet) lol
* I've also learned that its not just about keeping yourself safe on the internet....its about watching out for your friends to.

 

[tofubeast]

* I've also learned that its not just about keeping yourself safe on the internet....its about watching out for your friends to.

I think you almost brought a tear to my eye!

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

I think you almost brought a tear to my eye!

Woot For Tears!!!!