All About IT for Young Children

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:12:42 GMT

vanillaisland — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:12:42 GMT

Guppy,

Can you please tell me which community centre it was where your child took the typing class?

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:40:20 GMT

cimman — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:40:20 GMT

no need to be so kancheong about IT at such a young age. In every primary school there is always a class on IT. The things they learn there is enough for them to appreciate what is IT.

When the child is in mid primary, you can introduce Lego Mindstorm to them. It’s a Lego robotic set where you build the robot and program it to move. So the child learn something about programming concepts.

Of course, for the really kiasu parents, there are robotic competitions where the child pit their skills against others in coming up with programs for robots to play football, or go on a search and rescue mission or even to find it’s way in a maze. These programs are not simple.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:35:17 GMT

guppy — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:35:17 GMT

THis is a delayed post on an old topic. I agree with Mrs Wong’s message about typing using the correct fingerings as it helps in the long run i.e. you don’t need to look and peck to type.

My dd just went for an intermediate typing course conducted by a Mr Chia (Little typist trainer) at the nearby Community Centre. She had learnt basic typing at school and wanted to learn to type faster. She found the 2 day course fun as the teacher was quite engaging. The kids had little electronic keyboards which counted the number of words typed and accuracy. My dd was so motivated to "beat" her score and I was surprised on the progress.

BTW, I’m not related or connected to Mr Chia. My dd came home and told me that the teacher was showing them yo yo tricks and other things to enliven the teaching. So, it’d be a good class for children to attend. Have fun and learn something.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:22:13 GMT

UncleLim — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:22:13 GMT

In the Dec 09 holidays, I embarked on a computer project with my son.

Instead of buying a new computer, we decided to assemble one with DIY parts and learn about the inner workings of the system.

In the end, we managed to have fun during a weekend and the computer worked beautifully (phew !!). We had another father-and-son pair with us so it was good bonding and learning for everyone.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:07:13 GMT

plum-cake — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:07:13 GMT

I have Disney learning's adventure in typing with timon n pumba. got it from carrfour 2 for 10$. sometimes ago.... :lol: but my 6yr old can type now. for her age she is good. I think so....

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:45:56 GMT

mrswongtuition — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:45:56 GMT

I used Jumpstart Typing when I was young to learn typing. Though it’s not the most interesting game around, it builds a good foundation. I can proudly say that I type faster than my colleagues & am more familiar with the keyboard than them. I can also type from a printed document without looking at my screen or keyboard.

It’s a good basic skill to start off from young. I started learning to type at P3 and my mum was very fussy about the way I type. She insisted that I had to use the correct fingers for the different alphabets so that I can type by feeling, not looking at the keyboard. I’m glad she did that, cos I’m able to do work more efficiently.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:51:18 GMT

Padre — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:51:18 GMT

The best time to start IT is NOW.

Computers have already become an integral part of our lives.

I might have mistaken but I sensed that somewhere between pg 2-3, there were some confusions equating IT to computer games.

From even a very young age, we can show our children how we use computers in our life. Showing them how we use email or web cam is a good start. I chat with my family via webcam whenever I go on business trips.

Build up a list of good children’s website and visit with them from time to time. In fact, I frequently involve kiddo in our meal planning. We would visit allrecipe.com and he would help me select the recipes. Designing and printing invitation cards are also good activities to begin with.

Kiddo also got to use my digital cam. At the end of our outings, it would be his job to download the photos from the cam to the PC. Iguess it is all these little things that made him comfortable at operating computers.

Kiddo was first exposed to ‘formal IT education’ at P1 as part of the school’s curriculum. By P2, he was already proficient in using Word and Powerpoint. This has come in useful in upper primary. His projects are quite heavy and typically require submission of 2 drafts before the final report. All these require the use of word processors. Being able to type fast is a naturally an advantage.

In fact, in his current school, Ask and Learn is the chosen e-learning platform and being comfortable with using a computer definitely helps when attempting the timed assessments.

So, help your kids get acquainted with your home PC. They will need to use it someday.

Cheers!

Padre

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:41:12 GMT

sridhar94 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:41:12 GMT

Don’t know about you guys, but I don’t think that educational games are really fun in a sense to the child.

As the child gets more addicted to these games, the questions get repetitive and the child gets bored.

Pen and Paper is still the way to go, unless you want to start your child on some basic computer programming and be the next Ding Wen.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:24:21 GMT

bishanman — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:24:21 GMT

want to try Little Art Academy. IT lesson with art in mind…My daughter is doing her lesson there for 3 terms already.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:14:15 GMT

Ivanlew — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:14:15 GMT

buds:
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx4M4TJ

Jump Start Typing (Ages 7-12)

I bought this Jump Start Typing.
The games were not very nice.

I realised that Clementi Lib has a good collection
of all the Jump Start CD and lot of good courseware CD
at Clementi lib for borrow and best of all the CD are all very updated and many of them are still selling at Popular book shop.
We can borrow them back and try out before deciding to buy one.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:28:14 GMT

Ivanlew — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:28:14 GMT

Just came back from my old gang gathering. One of my friends is currently taking a part time course in early child hood and she has selected an optional model which is marketing. She is writing a thesis regarding computer course for children and has set out a survey to gather some statistic.

Appreciate if you would spend 5 minutes of your time to help her to take the survey,
just 10 questions. Click the link below to take the survey. Thanks

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6XGkbI3IS40Z0nD0ll7Fhw_3d_3d

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:07:00 GMT

buds — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:07:00 GMT

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx4M4TJ

Jump Start Typing (Ages 7-12)
Publisher : Knowledge Adventure
Packaging : Jewel Case
Requirement : Window ME/ 2000/ XP
Item Code : 8886335361205
Usual Price : S$12.90
NOW : S$11.61

How JumpStart Typing Teaches Your Child to Type
JumpStart Typing applies the award-winnign approach of the JumpStart
Learning System to teach correct typing technique. Designed specifically
for kids ages 7-10, the product combines arcade-style game play and
challenging activities with timed typing lessons and technique movies
to offer a comprehensive typing experience.

Step 1 Take a special diagnostic test to determine your base typing
ability. Exclusive technology automatically adjusts the product to
match the avilities of each individual user.

Step 2 Watch full-color movie clips that teach correct hand placement,
posture, and more.

Step 3 Participate in over 30 timed typing lessons using color-coded keys
and animated computer hands to demonstrate correct typing technique.

Step 4 Build typing proficiency in five extreme sport events, including
rock climbing, skateboarding, soccer, and snowboarding. Adjustable
difficulty levels ensure constant challenge and variety.

Help Botley Save the Competition!
Professor Sparks, along with his robot pal, Botley, has just completed
work on the galaxy's first Interplanetary Stadium for Extreme Typing.
Just as the games are ready to begin, bratty little Polly Sparks locks
the head coach of the Sparks' Dream Team in the Trophy Room. Earn
the seven power cards you need to unlock the door by practicing your
typing skills in extreme keyboarding events like snowboarding, soccer,
and rock climbing. Free the coach in time, and the team has a chance.
Hurry, Botley needs your help.

Trail Blazer
Help the snowboarder race down Mount Keys by typing the correct letter
or letter combination. Jump, zigzag, and tear through the course while
avoiding dangerous obstacles like moguls, tree stumps, and even polar
bears.

Keyboard Kicks
Compete against the Galaxy Gladiators in a game of table-top foosball.
Move your team around the field by typing letters, and try to score ten
points before your opponent does.

Keyboarding Training Center
Start your mission in the Keyboard training Center, where you can take
special diagnostic tests, participate in over 30 lessons and watch
technique movies on correct hand placement, proper posture and more.

Cliff Hanger
Help Botley climb the mega mountain. Type your way to the top while
avoiding obstacles like wall crawlers, banana peels and green slime.

Roller Racing
Skate your way through a fun-filled obstacle course while practising your
typing. Jump and duck your way through hurdles and other obstructions
while avoiding the Trickster's mischievous pranks.

The Fans Are Wild
Help cheer the team on by completing a special speed typing puzzle.
Type the correct letters and uncover secret key combinations to flip the
fan cards, then watch the stands go wild as you succesfully complete the
message.

Requirements for Newer Version
Windows Vista, XP, 2000, Pentium II 300Mhz, 128MB RAM, 25MB HD
Space, 640x480 display, 16-bit color, Windows-compatible sound card
& speakers, 12X CD-ROM Drive.

Requirements for Older Version
Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Pentium 233MHz or higher, 12x CD-ROM drive,
64MB RAM , 100MB available on hard drive, 16Bit color ,
Windows-compatible sound card, 640x480 screen resolution, mouse.

Requires Windows 95 compatibility mode, 640x480 with 256 colors to
run properly on Windows XP.

Requirements: Macintosh OS 8.6, 9.2.1, 10.1.2 , 16x CD-ROM drive,
64MB RAM, 100MB available on hard drive,16Bit color , 640x480 screen resolution, mouse.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:11:07 GMT

Ivanlew — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:11:07 GMT

Hi,

I had actually downloaded some free typing courseware with games and try to teach her typing but she told me the game was very boring.
I will take a look at the TYPING CD at popular

Thanks for the info

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:53:31 GMT

buds — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:53:31 GMT

Ivanlew:
I try not to let my daugther use too much of computer when she is small because I am afraid that it will spoil her eye sight and also computer do produce radiation which I think not very good for small kid.

But do occasionaly let her play phonic games. Now I restricted her to play computer only let her play the games as a reward but after reading all the replies, I think I should start her with typing skill.
How you teach your kid to type? Download typing software from the web and let them play the game to practise themselve?
Anybody send their kids to computer school to attend typing course? Any good computer school? What is their charges and how many lessons?

Was out for lunch and saw promotion on CD-ROMs for children by
Jumpstart. They have a TYPING CD-ROMs that encourages typing
skills for children through games. Available at Popular.
NETT price : SGD $12.90
SALE price : SGD $ 8.80

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:01:56 GMT

s00s_dad — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:01:56 GMT

[quote]Checkout this web page.

http://www.rapidtyping.com/

I tried it out and it is quite fun ! Typing is all about practice, practice, practice. [/quote]Wow I have tried it and it is quite fun. Thanks for sharing.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:36:23 GMT

schellen — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:36:23 GMT

s00s_dad:
Wow you mean she can use Facebook and email on her own! That has impressed me.

Can share how you have taught her typing? Thru any software or? Thinking of starting my girl with typing first. Maybe will send her for some courses when she is in P1 next year.

She hardly visits FB nowadays cos she doesn't have much time left each day for free activity and she'll rather spend it doing other things. She's not addicted so it's okay. We created the e-mail for her and decided that FB would be good since she can keep in touch with our family who are online as well, especially those who live overseas. Once we log in for her, she can handle her FB stuff on her own, which isn't much. Bear in mind that she is actually too young for FB, by FB's policy, but we supervise her when she uses it and we set up the account to be very private using FB's privacy settings. This means that you can't see her photo, data, etc unless you are her friend, and her friends are relatives and close friends of her parents whom she knows personally and likes.

As for typing, we didn't use any typing software. She started using the keyboard to key in her name for educational games online, or to key in answers for spelling, quizzes, etc. Since she already likes to make up stories on her own and write them down, she was curious when she saw me and sashimi typing. So we just opened up an empty MS Word doc, showed her how to use a few basic functions and she played around with the fonts, colours, etc. I think she still prefers to write on paper because typing is slower for her, and paper and pencil are easily available whereas the PC is not.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:21:45 GMT

tamarind — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:21:45 GMT

Dear all,

I just found this free software for kids and adults to learn how to type. Checkout this web page.

http://www.rapidtyping.com/

I tried it out and it is quite fun ! Typing is all about practice, practice, practice. There is no need to pay to go for a course. I think that the ability to type quickly is a very useful and important skill

In fact, I would not allow my kids to play any computer games, which I think is very bad for their development. I would rather they pick up typing skills, and I plan to teach them a programming language like Visual Basic or C in the future.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:01:41 GMT

s00s_dad — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:01:41 GMT

schellen:
My DD started using the computer to play educational software from about 3+-4 yo. Once I feel that she can use a mouse without getting frustrated, I got her started but this was done ad hoc so some weeks she won't even go near a computer.

Now, she is in P1 and she has her own e-mail and Facebook accounts (under our supervision, of course) to keep in touch with relatives and the friends she meets while travelling. She regularly plays online games at Playhouse Disney and Nick, Jr. websites. She is capable of typing (though very slowly) and has stated very clearly that she will do her own typing without our help. I noticed that one skill that will help with typing is memory skill; not just for remembering where the keys are and what they do but also how to spell the words she wants to type.

I can't remember if her school has any IT lessons for them but since DH and I are proficient in computer skills/software, at least those that she will need for school, we can always teach her ourselves in the comfort of our home and at a pace she is comfortable with.

Wow you mean she can use Facebook and email on her own! That has impressed me.
Can share how you have taught her typing? Thru any software or? Thinking of starting my girl with typing first. Maybe will send her for some courses when she is in P1 next year.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:10:24 GMT

Ivanlew — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:10:24 GMT

I try not to let my daugther use too much of computer when she is small because I am afraid that it will spoil her eye sight and also computer do produce radiation which I think not very good for small kid.

But do occasionaly let her play phonic games. Now I restricted her to play computer only let her play the games as a reward but after reading all the replies, I think I should start her with typing skill.
How you teach your kid to type? Download typing software from the web and let them play the game to practise themselve?
Anybody send their kids to computer school to attend typing course? Any good computer school? What is their charges and how many lessons?

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:39:46 GMT

schellen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:39:46 GMT

My DD started using the computer to play educational software from about 3±4 yo. Once I feel that she can use a mouse without getting frustrated, I got her started but this was done ad hoc so some weeks she won’t even go near a computer.

Now, she is in P1 and she has her own e-mail and Facebook accounts (under our supervision, of course) to keep in touch with relatives and the friends she meets while travelling. She regularly plays online games at Playhouse Disney and Nick, Jr. websites. She is capable of typing (though very slowly) and has stated very clearly that she will do her own typing without our help. I noticed that one skill that will help with typing is memory skill; not just for remembering where the keys are and what they do but also how to spell the words she wants to type.

I can’t remember if her school has any IT lessons for them but since DH and I are proficient in computer skills/software, at least those that she will need for school, we can always teach her ourselves in the comfort of our home and at a pace she is comfortable with.

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:18:55 GMT

smum — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:18:55 GMT

My son is now in P2. He has computer lesson in P1. They learn the basic Microsoft Word functions like how to find clip art etc. AND keyboard typing. Not sure about other parents, but I thought it's good that they start learning keyboard typing when young. Espeically now that we cannot do without our computer ... :lol:

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:50:09 GMT

Ivanlew — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:50:09 GMT

What did they learn in IT introduction course?

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:30 GMT

s00s_dad — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:30 GMT

Does all schools learn IT in P1 or only some schools?

Reply to All About IT for Young Children on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:26:28 GMT

buds — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:26:28 GMT

Ivanlew:
I was told by my colleagues that primary one student need to learn IT and typing and some even told me lower primary used powerpoint to do presentation. Are all these true?

Hmmmm... what i understand is that they learn IT in P1.
Mine did, since P1... more like IT introduction in schools.
Which is to mean that by P3 *(still lower primary) they
should know how to work the basics of Powerpoint i suppose..