Wii Sports: Tennis

LQ: 8.6

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Brain grade: 8.2
Fun score: 8.9

Game Type: , ESRB Rating: Everyone Platform/Console: LWK Recommended Age: 6+ Thinking Skills Used: ,

In this game, players mimic swinging a tennis racket using the Wii Remote. Players can serve the ball, adjust the power of their shot and perform backhand and forehand swings. They can add spin to the ball by twisting the Wii Remote as they swing and even perform a volley shot, sending the ball high into the air. Matches consist of 1 on 1 games or doubles, with up to four people playing at a time. Due to the simple controls and inoffensive content, the game is recommended for players ages 6 and up.


THis GAME IS GOOD FOR KIDS WHO NEED HELP WITH:

Self-Control

Managing our actions, feelings and behaviors.

To perform different shots in this game, players must issue a variety of distinct motion commands to control the direction and power of each shot. They can perform backhand or forehand swings, lob the ball into the air, and even spin the ball by twisting the controller. However, if they become flustered or swing wildly, they may end up hitting the ball too hard or sending it in the wrong direction. Mastering the controls takes time, so players should remain calm and avoid becoming frustrated while learning these techniques.

Flexibility

Adapting and adjusting to changing conditions and expectations.

If players become too predictable during a match, their opponents—both human and computer—will quickly learn their patterns of behavior and be better able to return shots and score points. To throw them off, players should use a variety of shots, switching sides of the course and mixing in quick, up-close forehands with long, lobbing volleys. The gameplay here can get rather fast-paced, so players who aren't able to react quickly may have trouble keeping their opponents on their toes to keep them from scoring points.

Use this Play Together guide to learn how you can help your child turn Wii Sports: Tennis play time into a positive learning and relationship-building experience. To learn more about why playing games with your children is so important, check out our Science of Play page!

Talk Before You Play

Take a minute to talk with your child about how the Self-Control and Flexibility thinking skills work, and why they are important for success in school and at home.

Set Gameplay Goals

Wii Sports: Tennis includes several multiplayer modes for you to enjoy with your child. You can go head-to-head in a singles or double match, play together against the computer, or try to complete challenges in the game's Training Mode. After looking over the gameplay goals listed below, see if you can team up with your child and complete each of the objectives.

Gameplay Goals:

  • Play on the same team against the computer and win a "Best of 3" match.
  • Play together again, but try beating the "Best of 5" mode this time.
  • Jump into Training Mode and play "Target Practice" together until you achieve a bronze medal (7 points).
  • Then earn a bronze metal in the "Timing Your Swing" training mode (7 points).
  • Earn a silver medal in the same mode (15 points).

Stop and Reflect

After you’ve completed a few matches, take a minute to pause the game and talk with your child about how Wii Sports: Tennis is exercising your thinking skills.

  • Discuss how using Self-Control helps you to better control your swings and allows you to implement a variety of strategies against your opponents.
  • Explain how being flexible can help you quickly react and mix up your shots to throw off your opponent.
  • Describe how swinging with precision and carefully timing your swings affects their power and placement, and why this is important when completing the training challenges.

Our Make it Work activities are designed to transform your child’s gameplay into real-world improvements in thinking and academic skills. If you’re just getting started with LearningWorks for Kids, we suggest you try them all to find which are the best for you and your child.

Introduce the Thinking Skills

Read over the pages for Self-Control and Flexibility. Then take some time to introduce these thinking skills to your child.

Explain That:

  • Self-Control is the thinking skill that helps us manage our feelings and behaviors, control our emotions, and stop ourselves before making a mistake.
  • Flexibility is the thinking skill that helps us adapt to new situations, learn from mistakes, and change what we are doing in order to deal with different challenges.

Self-Control Activity

It helps impulsive children to use problem-solving strategies in which they always consider more than one possible plan before starting a task. This will serve to delay actions. For example, when your child is doing basic mathematics, teach her to always ask herself what type of operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) is used before choosing what to do. Initially have your child verbalize (out loud) these types of problem-solving strategies. “What is the problem?” “What are some alternatives?” “What is one other possible answer?” As she masters this approach, encourage silent self-instructions; but as a reminder ask her to tell you about her self-strategies as well.

Flexibility Activity

Try teaching your child how to use common household items in different and unusual ways. Ask your child to come up with ten ways to use a fork, book, pen, or piece of clothing and discuss how being flexible can help to solve problems. Flexible problem solving often uses the materials on hand and in the house to fill a variety of different purposes. Talk to your child about ways to apply this approach in his own life.

Wii Sports Tennis and ADHD:

tennisActive games like Wii Sports: Tennis can be put to good use for children with ADHD, as studies show that physical exertion can positively effect brain chemistry to help boost key cognitive skills and executive functions. Physical exercise can be an important tool for improving learning and attention, as it results in the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factors), proteins in the brain that can help enhance memory and focus. Children with ADHD may have difficulty sticking to an exercise regimen, so engaging games like this can be great tools for working physical activity into a daily routine.

How to Use Wii Sports Tennis for Children with ADHD:

  • Set up a time to play that will most benefit your child. If you haven't already, set a daily time for your child to do homework. About an hour before hand, have your child play the game for about 45 minutes. This will help boost focus and attention immediately afterward, just in tim to tackle schoolwork.
  • Use the game as a reward, After homework is complete, let your child play another few rounds of the game to help keep motivation high.
  • Play together. Encouraging kids to play games is easy, but ensuring your child remains highly active while playing is very important. Join in the fun and get competitive, challenging your child to games in order to keep your child motivated towards exercising.
  • If possible, try to get your child to develop an interest in real-world tennis. Get out onto a real tennis court is you can, and try to help your child with some basic tennis exercises (serving, back hand forehand, ect.). Active games are great, but real tennis offers a more invigorating exercise and can help develop positive work out habits.

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