Comments on: Kids on Computers

By: Armand Albert

Armand Albert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:02:03 +0000

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By: Jill

Jill — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:13:15 +0000

Yeah, I that’s the way to go, I just don’t think it’s most people’s natural inclination. Welcome on the link!

By: Dad

Dad — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:56:54 +0000

Jill, though most kids can quickly adapt to the mouse and keyboard it can take time for kids to adjust to the way the machine actually works. Learning things such as “use the shutdown system” instead of hitting the power switch!

I agree with you 100% about using the computer as a digital babysitter. I far and away prefer to use the computer as a reinforcement system for skills already taught. I do the teaching and then I have my kid do something on the computer to show that they are grasping what I am teaching.

Thanks for the PBS article link!

By: Jill

Jill — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:16:53 +0000

I like your paint program idea!

On the age though, I’d like to respectfully disagree. I think your advice is *great* for people already prone to active parenting but that sort of gives an excuse for those prone to the electronic babysitter. Not that there’s anything wrong with an electronic babysitter every once in awhile but I do think it’s easy to overuse.

I think there are very few children who wouldn’t adapt easily to mouse and keyboard use even if they never saw them during the preschool years at all.

Most skills children can learn using a computer can also be taught by a parent. I don’t mean it isn’t *fun* for them to learn via computer, I just don’t see it as a necessity in the least.

This is a PBS article that’s pretty good & it gives info from the National Association for the Education of Young Children:

PBS article