nintendo for 7 year old yes or no?

[kittypants]

dd has informed us already this is what shed like for xmas .i have no clue about things like that.do you think shes too young?

speccy - my ds7 sounds very similar to yours.. the running commentary do know what you mean about kids going into a trance.. have seen that with friend dc but they have free reign over when to play.. which means alot.

I don't think theyre too young as long as you limit it.
We bought a Nintendo Wii for xmas (for dp and me) but DSs use it a couple of times a week. They are 2 and 4 (soon to be 3 and 5). they only play kiddy games like Happy Feet and not for too long, and tv watching is cut down if they play on the Wii.
Strict moderation is the key - i'd hate it if DSs disappeared upstairs to play violent computer games all day when they're older.

I figure if you give them the choice they'll take the easy option and sit down playing these games. Whereas if you let them get bored they have to use their imaginations to entertain themselves.

I don't agree at all, I have 5 children 9ok baby doesn't count ) not one of them will choose playing a computer game over going out to play. To be honest they get bored if watching telly for more than half an hour

A typical day today. Ds spent morning playing, cuddling and reading. Then after breakfast went out to local park with bike and tennis rackets. Played a bit of tennis, he rode bike, played in play park fedd ducks etc. Got home, has scooter in the garden, now sat on lounge floor playing with playmobil pirates. Not once has tv been on today and neither has games console been played on or requested. Bascially it is in moderation and rules are adhered too as they are reasonable and clear. Just because we have computer games here it doesnt mean ds has little or no imagination and only plays on them. As with most things it is down to the individual parenting style surely. What works here might not work for someone else.

We recently saw friends and there were 4 boys aged between 7 and 11, each with a handheld and they interacted beautifully, trying each other's out, competing, watching etc. ds isn't a physical, sporty child so, for him, this was a great leveller. It doesn't have to be antisocial.

For ds his Advance is one source of games and he and dd will chatter and make up stories as they play along. imo much depends on the software, ds has several quest and film based games which are perhaps more narrative than some others. He may have weeks of not playing at all then more concentrated time on a particular game.