I'm convinced that in kids, this is at least partly a maturation issue.
Anyway.
Someone asked about "multi-tasking" or time-management video gaming. Most of these types of games are of the simulation variety, and they
tend to be marketed to girls more than to boys. I have a few suggestions there that I know are reasonably appealing and good for this sort of thing.
Coolmath has a couple of these as little flash player games-- Lemonade Stand is the classic, but there are many variants of it:
http://www.coolmath-games.com/lemonade/index.htmlhttp://www.coolmath-games.com/0-coffee-shop/index.htmlhttp://www.coolmath-games.com/0-papas-freezeria/index.htmlThose will probably keep kids under 6 busy for quite some time.
One game that my DD was
obsessive about when she was 6-8 yo was the "PetVet" series. They were bargain priced even then, but it looks like now they are bundled with three games for under ten bucks via Amazon.
I actually recommend the Pet Vet games. There is a
lot to keep track of while the game is running. Frankly, I found it challenging at the higher levels, too.
Be aware that there is a distinctly 'girly' feel about things, though-- the "vet" is a young blonde woman, and many of the decor choices are pink, purple, etc. It may also be upsetting to some very sensitive kids, as the animals can become "ill" or even (gasp) die... if you don't successfully manage to take care of them.
Some of the "Sim-" and "Tycoon" games also have this time-management quality about them-- it's a matter of constant tinkering with several things at once. Juggling tasks and goals, planning, that kind of thing.
Be warned that this sort of addictive video game may lead to table gaming, entrepreneurial scheming, and RPG time while they hang out with the RPG gamers during adolescence, however.
(D&D has really branched out, I must say... but it's still the same kind of geeky kids playing. Mine included. LOL. )
