Building Character Through Video Games

The holiday season is perfect for family time, whether it’s watching a movie or playing video games together. But these activities can be more than just fun—they offer opportunities to for us to focus on building character through video games and movies. By using transformative questions, you can guide your child to think critically about the themes in the story, such as teamwork, integrity, empathy, and courage. These conversations help your child develop important life skills while strengthening your connection. Let’s explore how you can ask these types of questions after your next family activity.

Teamwork

Movies and video games often showcase teamwork, where characters work together to solve problems or overcome obstacles. When you see teamwork in action, you can ask questions that make your child think about how collaboration leads to success.

Transformative Questions:

• “What made the team successful in the game/movie? How did they help each other?”
  This encourages your child to notice how characters work together and what made them effective.
• “How would the story have changed if they didn’t work as a team?”
  Thinking about different outcomes helps your child see the value of cooperation.
• “What role did you play in the game? How did it feel to be part of the team?”
  Connecting the lesson to their own experience reinforces the importance of their contribution.

By focusing on teamwork, you help your child recognize the importance of working together, setting the stage for more discussions about cooperation.

Integrity

Many stories challenge characters to make tough decisions that test their values. Discussing integrity can help your child understand why doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult, is important.

Transformative Questions:

• “What tough decision did the character face, and how did they stay true to their values?”
  Asking this helps your child explore how integrity shaped the character’s choices.
• “Would you have made the same choice? Why or why not?”
  This question allows your child to reflect on their own decision-making.
• “Why is it important to do the right thing, even when no one is watching?”
  Helping your child see the importance of honesty builds their understanding of personal responsibility.

Integrity teaches children to stand by their values, and discussing these moments paves the way for more complex conversations about right and wrong.

Empathy

When characters show compassion or face challenges that require understanding others' feelings, you can use these moments to teach empathy. Discussing empathy encourages your child to think about how their actions impact others.

Transformative Questions:

• “How did the character feel when they were struggling? How did others help them?”
  This question helps your child recognize emotions and how others respond.
• “Have you ever felt like the character did? How did it feel when someone helped you?”
  Relating the situation to your child’s own life makes the lesson more personal.
• “What can you do to help someone who might be feeling the same way?”
  Encouraging action based on empathy teaches your child to show kindness in real life.

When children practice empathy, they learn to connect with others and consider their feelings, making this a great topic to discuss after family activities.

Courage

Characters often show courage by standing up for what’s right or facing their fears. These moments can lead to meaningful conversations about bravery in your child’s life.

Transformative Questions:

• “What brave action did the character take? What were they afraid of?”
  This question helps your child understand that courage isn’t about being fearless, but about facing fears.
• “Can you think of a time when you had to be brave? How did you feel afterward?”
  Reflecting on personal experiences helps your child connect to the lesson.
• “Why do you think being courageous is important, even when it’s hard?”
  This question deepens their understanding of why courage matters in everyday life.

Talking about courage helps your child face their own challenges with confidence, giving them the tools they need to be brave in tough situations.

Conclusion

Building character through video games and movies can seem daunting, but by using transformative questions, you turn them into learning opportunities that build skills like teamwork, integrity, empathy, and courage. These questions help your child think more deeply about their experiences and make connections to their own life. The next time you watch a movie or play a game together, use these questions to start conversations that go beyond the screen and into real life.