While searching the internet for resources on role-playing games and young children I found this great series of videos by Megan Connel of Geeks Like Us.

In her words the videos deal with

“how you as a dungeon master can be more supportive of your players to make your table a more inclusive place for everybody”

To which I would add one, big, caveat. When I run games I don’t want to feel I’m taking on responsibility for the players’ mental well being. But, when I’m part of a group, I want to feel that I’m doing my bit to make it a supportive and inclusive place. So when I watched these videos I mentally replaced ‘dungeon master’ with group member, and then it was all awesome.

I haven’t watched them all yet, but the videos on dealing with players who have problems with math or reading, depression or anxiety all seemed smart and useful, and include the important advice that sometimes it’s time to get a professional involved.

While it may not seem obvious that these issues will apply to the four and five year old players of Amazing Tales, they might. Anxiety is definitely something small kids can get when faced with something new (like a role-playing game, or a dragon), and as soon as you have two kids you have group dynamics.

Plus as kids get older they’ll probably want to play other games. I imagine my future will involve running games for groups of pre-teens and teenagers, and these videos look like useful advice to me.

So, a collection of useful videos on issues that affect lots of people. What’s not to like?