How to play with your child

You can join without taking over

Imagine your child building a city while you struggle to move the camera. Instead of reaching for the controls, try: “Can you show me how to put one house here?” You have something concrete to attempt, and your child gets to explain a world they know. This is our suggested starting point, not a tested learning intervention.

What does the research actually support?

A 2020 study followed language and literacy development in 488 children, mostly aged 6–8. At low levels of reported shared media engagement, more media use was linked to smaller literacy gains; that association was not apparent at higher engagement levels. The same pattern did not appear for language gains. Parents reported media habits, and the study did not randomly assign families to play together. It supports investigating the context of media use, not promising that co-play improves reading.[1]

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a family media plan that includes adults, makes room for other activities and changes as children grow. That is professional guidance, not evidence that a particular game or session length works for every family.[2]

A first session you can actually try

These are editorial conversation ideas. Pick one that fits your child; there is no score to reach and no requirement to finish the list.

• Let them demonstrate: “What are you trying to do here?” Watch one attempt before offering an answer.
• Choose one small role: read an instruction when asked, suggest a colour, or remember the next step. If sharing a controller, agree when to swap.
• Ask before helping: “Would you like a hint, or another go?” Leave space for their own solution.
• Agree where to stop before starting. Check together how to pause and save; do not assume every game allows it.

If playing together is not fun yet

Try a different role or simply watch for a while. You can say, “The controls are hard for me, but I want to understand why you like this.” Avoid making your child responsible for entertaining you. For an older child who wants some independence, an invitation to show you something later is another option.