All About IT for Young Children

[mckenzy]

ooooh… messenging systems will do wonders… grammer/vocabulary will be a problem though… what with…


"yo dood… wots the ans 2 qs 5 on t’days math pper?"

…

[meredith84]

Hello,


Perhaps you can contact gt learn center ? They provide IT lesson for children, they also provide another programmes to learn. Will PM you for details, whether you want to know more about them and hope it help.

[Addoil]

Original Title: How old kids can start to play computer?


Hi all

How old you start to let your kids playing computer for those education games?

Kids too early playing with with computer will affect their social skill, I am wonder is it real? :roll:

Can share your opinion?

[schellen]

All things done to extreme can affect social skills so it all depends on balance. I can’t remember when exactly my DD started. Maybe 3? And it was those Nick, Jr and Playhouse Disney websites.


Don’t start too early cos motor skills not there yet and kid may get frustrated trying to use a mouse or keyboard. Or even understanding simple instructions on screen without having mommy or daddy nearby to help. Games for very young children at these sites have lots of voice-overs to read instructions, repeat stuff orally, flashing, colourful buttons to help kids navigate the sites.

You may want to get a computer or keyboard designed for even younger kids but I think it’s a waste of money and you may be limited to the games that can go with such equipment.

[sashimi]

My policy is moderation. Regardless of MY earlier decision that my DD should not go near a computer until at least age 12, there’s nothing I can do about Singapore’s pro-computer schooling. It’s not that I’m ultra-conservative, it’s that to me, handwriting, reading books, maintenance of eyesight, etc. - all these come first.


So, I manage her time spent on it. She typically spends no more than 1 hour a week on the PC, max maybe 2. I’m happy to say she’s not addicted.

And no PSPs.

[Addoil]

Hi schellen


Ya, balance is the most important, make sure they play 45 min, in between can teach them TIME concept You hightlight the important point to me. Thks.

Hi sashimi

After read thread regarding the bad handwriting, do agree that handwriting, reading books.... is which we need to concern more right now. As you said pro-computer schooling... in future they have plenty of time FACING the computer. Thks for sharing your opinion

[buds]

Mine i think both started around three years old as well.

Balance and time limitations i agree are of most importance.
In the first place, they won't get to play if homework not done
nicely or diary/journal not updated. I don't really have major
issues with my girls' handwriting. The elder has beautiful small
handwriting - always get \"chop\" (stamps) for beautiful handwriting
in her school activity sheets and workbooks. The younger i can only
say... legible lah for reading, so i suppose its ok and hoping it would
improve with age and more time.

They started with those straightforward CD-Roms and this particular
site that helps to promote reading readiness via online pre-school
stories followed up with games and wordlists to read thereafter.
Some ends with craft ideas. Both my girls like it even till today.
Very simple to navigate and mostly only page turning required
with a computer mouse or laptop keypad at a blinking arrow.

Here it is :-
http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/other.asp
Its called Story Place - The Children's Digital Library.
Provides children with the virtual library and activities including stories, riddles, and reading lists for pre-school and elementary aged kids.

[smurf]

My 4 year old likes playing game, but, he doesn't like educational game! he likes those website-free-kind of game, example cooking game, shooting game, etc. and he can play these game for 2 hrs! I'm trying to stop him from playing those games.

[jedamum]

smurf:

he can play these game for 2 hrs! I'm trying to stop him from playing those games.

think you should be stopping him from playing for >30min in the first place. since now he already enjoys the privilege of 2 hrs gametime, you probably should try to cut down gradually.
my (now P1) boy started off with CD-rom educational games at 3yo (he has an old laptop that he knows how to 'operate', so he meddles around with the songs, paint and helped himself to the CD games), then to neopets at 6yo. but he never get hooked onto computer games - probably cos i set a time-frame for him to use, so even if i go for a nap, he'll be discipline enough to switch the computer off when time is up. perhaps he hasn't found the game that could hold his interest for that long yet.

[buds]

Heyya smurf,


I agree with jedamum on cutting down the hours.
Mebbe for a start - cut down to one hour first.
Before he begins, show him the time on the clock.
Tell him the time if he doesn't know how to read
the time yet. And also show him at what time he
is to stop. This, like schellen says... helps to keep
children in time.

\"Freedom within limits...\"
- Dr Maria Montessori

As for educational games, its something parents
hafta to start WITH the child, and not something
the child would want to do on his/her own. When
they get the hang of it, they might like it.. Or you can
entice him by asking him to work with the educational
game first, then he will get his one hour's worth of
games.