Ash Brandin (they/them) is a middle school teacher in Boulder, Colorado. After years spent playing games and the way they teach players, Ash decided to dig into what makes games such motivating teaching tools. After applying it to their classroom, Ash began presenting at gaming conferences, helping families and educators see the value video games bring to our lives and how we can utilize it.  

Ash believes the best way we can prepare our kids for a digital future is to give them the tools they need to have healthy, balanced lives. Ash advocates for using video games as a tool, and  playing and incorporating video games in predictable, measured ways. By doing this, we can set our children up with healthy relationships with video games as well as other activities. 

Ash lives with their spouse and child, and when not gaming or teaching, likes to bake, and hike. 

Key takeaways: 

• Being caught in a loop for years trying to reach goals they thought would make them feel good about themselves, which to them meant feeling like a woman, and the stakes kept getting higher. Feeling intense gratitude and indebtedness to their child because they never would have figured out who they were without their child (5:25)
  
  
• Gaming allows kids to have a sense of freedom and choice. There is a huge feeling of responsibility and self-determination (18:50)
  
  
• Kids want to feel validated and seen and know that their interests are seen and valued. Engaging in discussions about your kids interests to show you care (25:20)
  
  
• Whatever you decide is an appropriate amount of games for your child, it should be available on a consistent schedule (36:13). Gaming in communal spaces is associated with healthy gaming relationships (42:55)
  
  
• The criteria someone has to meet to be classified as having “Problematic Video Gaming” (PVG), diagnosis is very rare (43:45)
  
  
• If we only demonize games, we’re making parents feel guilty for letting their children play. The more we view it as part of our lives and a tool, the easier it is to facilitate (59:40)
  
  
• How to choose your child’s first game 

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