The Surprising Way Video Games Are Good for Kids

On this episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth and Zak talk about their experience with video games — and then Elizabeth speaks with Ash Brandin, also known as @TheGamerEducator, about their tips for parenting young gamers. Then the hosts issue recommendations, and respond to a listener letter asking for tips on the latest and greatest in books for young eyes and ears. Recommendations:  Zak recommends: Abigail Lapell Elizabeth recommends: Free Run Wild My Child Treasure Hunt  Jamilah recommends: Swarm on Amazon Prime  Books for beginning readers: E: Usborne My First Readers  & Elephant & Piggie & Usborn Phonics Readers Z: Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, The Color Monster: a story about Emotions.  J: Can Read books, including Ty’s Travels and Amelia Bedelia Graphic Novels: E:  EL Deafo & This Was Our Pact & The Witch Boy (upper elementary & Middle) & Peter & Ernesto A Tale of Two Sloths (lower elementary) J: Twins (lower elementary) The Baby Sitter’s Club (lower elementary) Books about Loss: E: One Wave At A Time  & The Invisible String & When Dinosaurs Die & Circus Mirandus (older readers)  Z: Lilah Tov Good Night J: A Kid’s Book About Death, The Sad Dragon Just Really Good Books: E: Hello Universe & We Dream of Space (both by Erin Entrada Kelly)& The Big Umbrella & Anything by Aaron Reynolds (Teddy’s favorite, see President Squid)  Z:The Napping House J: The People Could Fly, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work. Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our NEW PHONE LINE: (646) 357-9318!  Podcast produced by Maura Currie and Zak Rosen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices