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How to Get Your
Child Started with a PC
Common Sense
Tips For Helping The Toddler And Preschooler From The PC
Dads(SM)
It's not
easy being a toddler-or preschooler. Everything looks so
BIG, and you don't have a lot of weight to throw round.
That's what makes a personal computer so appealing to
kids in the 2 to 4 year old set; it evens the playing
field allowing even tiny tots to explore at their own
pace, while learning and having a little fun to boot.
The main
goal at this point is to inspire the child so they take a
healthy interest, not to force them to learn - learning
will come naturally. Below are some tips to get you
started.
-
- Make
sure your computer is "kid friendly."
Adjust the height of the computer and/or chair so
the child can be eye-level with the middle of the
screen. Add a colorful mouse pad or monitor
frame. Check out the giant track devices, like
the EasyBall* from Microsoft, that make it easy
for little hands to take control.
-
- Stay
cool. Don't scream when they hit a wrong button
or wander into another program-just gently steer
them back on track. To protect your files and
programs add one of the kid control programs such
as Microsoft's Plus! for Kids* and Edmark's Kid
Desk*. These programs allow you to control the
files and activities the child can access.
-
- Let
them explore. Start with programs like Crayola
Art Studio* or Kid Pix* that let them draw and
paint. Goofy noises make the programs come to
life, and they can't mess up - kind of like
fingerpainting.
-
- Make
it fun. Story telling programs like the Living
Book* series from Broderbund allow kids to not
only listen to familiar stories, but roam around,
click on various objects and watch them come to
life.
-
- Use
their senses. Have them close their eyes, click
on an animal or musical instrument and have them
guess the sound (PC encyclopedias like Encarta*
or the World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia* are
good for this). Make it a game.
-
- Balance
their computer time. Set up a schedule so the
little folks don't get elbowed out of the way by
bigger siblings - but don't overdo it. Limit time
to an hour or so, depending on your child (each
is different).
With the
older ones (4-5 years), you can dabble with math or
pre-reading programs, like James Discovers Math* and
Reader Rabbit Preschool*. But above all, make it a lap
experience. The computer isn't a baby-sitter. Guide them
through the various program features and help them relate
what they learn to real life. And have fun - they're only
this age once.
Mark
Ivey and Ralph Bond, the PC Dads(SM), are Technology
Education Managers at Intel Corp. You can read more about
PC Dads(SM) and their adventures on their website at Intel's PC
Dads(sm) Program. They help families get
all they can from their home PCs. email: TheDads@aol.com.
PCDads is
reproduced by permission of Intel Corporation, © 1998 Intel
Corporation
*
Third-party marks and brands are the property of their
respective owners.
Suggestions?
Feedback? We'd love to hear from you.
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