I used to read books for entertainment, and had a hard time deciding between reading and playing a video game. These days, the choice is easier, because I’m pickier about the quality of my fiction–so I don’t read much fiction. I still read a lot of nonfiction, but that’s an entirely different experience from choosing a good game to play. There’s not as much conflict.

Steven Johnson was right, reading sets the bar only because it can first. If gaming came first… well making arguments about the literacy skills and cognitive development would be a little easier. There studies to show reading interest and ability increasing with gameplay. GamerDad’s job is to inform parents. Parents jobs are to make sure their children are exposed and experiencing multiple literacies (both new and traditional) that will help them learn and serve them in the future. Gaming is one of many activities that do this.

To echo Cary, last fall my son (4 at the time) learned how to read and was eager to play Zelda on the DS after watching me. He started his own save file and spent the next 25 minutes frozen in place on the floor reading through the opening sequence… who says gaming doesn’t promote reading.

Well said. It is our jobs as parents to promote reading, writing, and anything else. Your role in all this is to make sure we are informed as to what the options are when it comes to video games. And thank you for doing it.