LEVEL 1
INSPIRE
Cyber Cherubs
9-11 yearsMake friends
Learn play & create together
Skills:
Cyber Cherubs 9-11 YEARS
Resource Nodes, for Arkanoid Gym Leaders, Parents, Carers & Teachers
Please note that these resources will open a new tab and you will be leaving our site, please be responsible supervising young people in your care when using these links.
Please contact us if content linked is not age appropriate and we will review and reconsider our links.
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Age Rating Advice
Age Ratings on video games are not like the ones on board games, but like movies. The age rating isn’t advising on skill level, bur rather it is a warning about the content, i.e. adult themes, swearing, etc
In the UK, sales restrictions around age ratings only apply for physical games in store, not digital online stores.
PEGI - provides age classifications for video games in 38 European countries. The age rating confirms that the game content is appropriate for players of certain age.
Common Sense Media - Discover media you feel good about sharing with your kids and students, USA Based
General Advice
A responsible grown up should have eyes on screen and ears in room for any child under 11 using a computer, tablet or phone. Only let them use headphones once you have locked them into trusted moderated content.
Talk to them and remind them:
It is dangerous to tell new friends online too much about themselves, make sure you don’t tell them your name, your phone number, where you live or where you go to school.
If anyone asks for a photo or video of you, don’t send one. If this happens, always immediately tell a grown up that you trust.
Only accept or make phone and video calls to people you know and when I am with you .
Bullying makes people feel sad. If you’re being bullied, tell me and I can help.
If there are secrets that make you feel sad, scared or unhappy, share them with me so I can help you feel better.
Some games on phones and tablets cost money and may be for older people. Always check with me before you play new games so I can make sure they’re safe for you to play.
If you see something you don’t like or that makes you feel scared or unhappy tell me straight away.
Grown-ups, remember to praise a young person if they’ve reported something to you and remind them that they’ve done the right thing. Let them talk about it, listen and support.
More Safety Resources
Altru- Drama for good, Using drama to build confidence, develop skills and deliver online safety messages - Teacher Resource
Scouts Staying Safe Online - See Beaver and Cubs Sections
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Use timers set to 20-25min. Break up siting screen time with 10min of physical activity games (playground or video).
The physical activity will improve blood flow, breathing, reaction times etc and make them better players.
Record and discuss their improved scores, times etc and encourage further activity. encourage them to compare personal improvements rather than comparing to more experienced players (you today vs you yesterday is the only fair comparison).
We recommend starting with cooperative (players helping each other) before competitive games (players against each other), as cooperative games nurture communication, consideration, coordination and trust.
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The BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition is an annual initiative by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts aimed at inspiring and nurturing the next generation of game creators aged 10 to 18 in the UK. It offers young people a platform to explore game design, express their creativity, and gain recognition from industry professionals.
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Minecraft Education - Teaching and Learning Resources
Roblox Creator Hub - Make anything you can imagine
Game Programming
Begin: Scratch MIT Programming
Continue: Make Code Arcade - Microsoft
Game Art
Pixelart- Free online Pixel Art Tool
MS Paint - Windows PC’s Art Tool
Sketchpad.IO - Free online Sketchpad Art Tool
Crayola Create and Play - Annual subscription charge after free trial. Good content but expensive
Art for Kids - Draw Video Game Characters (Adult supervision recommended to avoid pop up installs)
Bead Craft, - Video Game Pixel Art (physical activity, requires adult to iron beads once designs complete)
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Cooperative games encourage teamwork, communication, and empathy, helping young gamers build social skills and positive relationships, making them a healthier alternative to competitive games that can often lead to frustration and unhealthy rivalry. These games all support coop play, and are age appropriate:
It Takes Two (skip the dialog as it has adult themes)
Tony Hawks Pro Skater (Graffiti and Tag)
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe
Team-based competitive games support emotional and educational development by teaching children how to collaborate effectively, think strategically, and manage emotions through shared victories and setbacks - all within a cooperative team environment. These games all support competitive team modes, and are age appropriate:
TMN Turtles, Shredders Revenge
Physical video games are great because they combine the fun of gaming with physical activity, promoting movement, coordination, and healthy habits. These games all support physical gaming, and are age appropriate:
Mario Party Superstars minigames
Minecraft is hard to classify! There are two modes in Minecraft, Survival and Creative, and whilst these offer different play styles, the core of Minecraft is about exploration, building, and creating.