Ask Slashdot: Best Linux Game For Young Kids?

First time accepted submitter pseudorand writes "I have a 3 year old that I've so far kept away from TV and computers. I met a gamer who has a 1 year old that plays xbox (probably better than I do). I believe kids should experience the real world first, but computers will obviously be a basic job still for the foreseeable future and I'm afraid I'm letting my kid fall behind. I'd like to responsibly introduce my son to computers so he can start developing hard-eye coordination, typing skills and learning UI concepts. What's the best (Linux, of course) game to get a kid started with? Shoot-em-up's are obviously out, but I'm more concerned with something that will help him understand how to interact with a mouse, keyboard and screen and hold his attention rather than something 'educational' because there's plenty of (probably more effective) ways to teach math, reading, etc. that don't involve a computer. So far I've tried Tux Racer, which held his attention for 10 minutes or so. He doesn't quite get pressing multiple keys simultaneously yet."

Comments

Don't give him a game

[Anonymous Coward]

Jesus, you're thinking of giving a kid a game that early? On linux too? Do you want him to grow up without a chance in hell of being able to speak to Women? How about you just let him shit his pants and play with wooden bricks? Looking forwards to your next post - "Which beers should I introduce my 12 year old to?"

Re:Don't give him a game

[Baloroth]

Jesus, you're thinking of giving a kid a game that early? On linux too? Do you want him to grow up without a chance in hell of being able to speak to Women? How about you just let him shit his pants and play with wooden bricks? Looking forwards to your next post - "Which beers should I introduce my 12 year old to?"

Letting children play with video games is pretty standard, now-a-days. Most often, simple smartphone games and whatnot rather than Linux games, but not at all uncommon. It's a good way to improve hand-eye coordination and brain development. Not being able to speak to women is pretty much unrelated, outside of the fact that a lot of people who can't do so in the first place gravitate towards computers and games, on account of the fact that they don't involved the possibility of messing up some social convention they are often unable to grasp. But playing games doesn't mean you won't or can't develop such skills, it's more that people who don't have those skills in the first place go towards gaming and computers in general. Don't confuse cause and effect.

And for that matter, 12 is a bit young for alcohol, but 14-15 is a good time to introduce them to small quantities (soft liquor, mind you, beer or wine). Otherwise, when they leave supervision around alcohol for the first time they'll likely overindulge, on account of a lack of experience. If they've been drinking on moderation for several years, that is a lot less likely.

Re:Don't give him a game

[cheekyjohnson]

You're doing something that I don't like; therefore, you're mentally inept.

Re:You are making the problem worse

[mathew42]

By choosing linux, you expose the child to a different way of working to accomplish the same task. This means when the inevitably encounter a different OS they will have to learn new skills, but will then have a distinct advantage when it comes to learning the third OS or a major upgrade occurs. You also need to consider that most kids are exposed to smart phones and computers so have some experience with this anyway.

Your language example was well chosen. Learning a second language has many additional benefits. Latin is an excellent choice for someone interested in science.

Welcome to the real world

[Kevster]

Hand-eye co-ordination is best learned in the real world. Take him outside and play with real objects (I've heard it's called "catch") in a natural (non-human constructed) setting.

As for the other two things, typing skills and UI concepts, they can be trivially learned by him 10 years from now just as easily. He'll pick them up on his own before that, anyway.

Re:GCompris

[foniksonik]

If you watch kids shows WITH the kids it's actually really educational regarding social skills and problem solving (hard problems, like how to work with a team, how to handle anger, etc - much harder than puzzles or physics).

For puzzles and physics, Amazing Alex is great, Save the Puppies, Angry Birds, Bad Piggies - the list goes on. Android is based on Linux right...