Never too early: Introduce computers to young children

Young children just starting school will find paper, pencils, computers, and other electronic devices in their classrooms to help them learn. But, how much should a young child know already about how to use these devices? Or, should schools now be poised to add learning the computer into their curriculum?

The answer to both questions is yes, and no. How’s that for muddying the waters. Young children are not only curious by nature, but almost giddy about learning. I say, if a child shows an interest in learning to email, search through the various search engines, play games, learn a keyboard and mouse, and any of the other thousands of electronic devises out there, let them have at it. And parents and teachers should play along…your enthusiasm can be contagious.

A 2003 Kaiser Family Foundation study called, "Zero to Six: Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers," reported that 31% of children between the ages of one and three have used a computer. The percentage increases to 70% for those between the ages of four and six. However, educators continue to debate the appropriate age, but 2003 numbers from the National Center for Education Statistics say that more than 65% of preschools and 80% of kindergartens use computers.

Sometime between the ages of two and three, many youngsters have the ability to understand that banging on a keyboard or moving a computer mouse causes something interesting to happen on the computer screen. It is recommended that when they make this connection, it's a good time to introduce them to computers. And, to reinforce these skills, fun, colorful software can also help.

So….it seems it’s never too early to introduce a child to computers. Ralph Sockman said it well… “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.”

Ready to begin the journey, check out http://www.chestercreek.com/childrensProducts.html