This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.
Introducing GameAware
GameAware Founder Andrew Kinch is on a mission to bridge the gap between gamers, parents and professionals through education and intelligent gaming strategies. As a competitive and casual gamer of 30 years, a health and wellbeing teacher and a parent of 2, Andrew’s skillset is unique and primed to tackle this issue.
GameAware strives to support gamers:
Maximise the benefits and minimise the harms of gaming
Minimise compulsion and escapism by building resilience
Reduce the conflict around gaming at home
Develop self knowledge and a greater sense of fulfilment
Learn how to play intelligently and sustainably
GameAware has featured on television and in print media, including the ABC, Insight, The Project, MamaMia and Herald Sun. You can learn more here.
The GameAware Team
The GameAware team all game. Their model is based on the fact that gamers are the best people to help other gamers. Some are casual, some are competitive. The team comes from a range of backgrounds including mentors who are teachers, professional athletes, occupational therapists, mental health youth workers, social workers, actors, and musicians.
"It takes one to know one." - Learn more about why gamers trust GameAware here.
GameAware and ESPORTS
GameAware also have performance coaches working with 2 of the top esports teams in oceania for Rainbow 6, Siege and League of Legends. They help competitive players lift their game by improving off-screen and on-screen training.
Neurodivergent Gaming Club
GameAware also offers a Neurodivergent Gaming Club. ADHD and Autism go hand in hand with gaming for a variety of reasons, and what makes the club special is that they are building a healthier relationship with gaming so that it isn't the only place gamers are trying to meet their needs. The club involves one 2 hour session per week for 8 weeks.
The club encourages young neurodivergent gamers to bond over a common interest while learning emotional regulation, self awareness, communication and teamwork skills.
GameAware has mentors who are either neurodivergent, or specialise in Autism and ADHD. Learn more here.
One on one mentoring
Mentoring takes place online and GameAware has worked with clients from Australia, USA, Canada and New Zealand.
This is the primary way GameAware can help families make significant postitive changes to build healthier relationships with gaming.
1on1 Mentoring is the ideal way to focus on one gamer with undivided attention.
1on2 Mentoring is perfect for families where there are siblings who are gamers, or if they would be more comfortable coming to sessions with a friend. This way, parents can tag team with other parents that their child plays with, and we can find an economical way to reach the goal.
Parents do play a role in this process as well as we get everyone on the same page, and will receive the parent course as part of our process.
Learn more here.
GameAware and Schools - Esports Performance
Building a healthy gaming culture in your school means bridging the gap between parents, students and teachers and turning a passion for gaming into academic and wellbeing outcomes.
GameAware offers online courses and presentations for parents, students, teachers. You can build your own package, or bring it all together in a school partnership between GameAware and your whole school community.
GameAware offers primary and secondary schools online courses and live presentations. You can learn more here.
GameAware has developed a School Starter Kit you'll find here.
To receive a discount use referral code eSafeKids.
eSafeKids and GameAware
GameAware can help you re-claim a peaceful home and help to build self regulation (with training wheels). Getting buy-in from gamers is their biggest strength.
I’ve teamed up with GameAware to offer the eSafeKids community a 33% discount on the parent course. You’ll find more information here. The discount code is eSafeKids24 (case sensitive).
To learn more about eSafeKids workshops and training visit our services page.
To view our wide range of child friendly resources visit our online shop.
Join the free eSafeKids online Members' Community. It has been created to support and inspire you in your home, school, organisation and/or community setting.
About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 27 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
