Introducing kids to PC

[sconnell]

My daughter just turned 3 on Memorial Day and I want to introduce her to the computer. Does anyone know of a site that gives good advice or recommendations about beginning with kids of this age? How about software and hardware? Does anyone have experience with very small children and the PC?

 

[Rachie0507]

My DD started using the computer around the time she turned 3 also. We bought her a Dragon Tales game that doesn't require reading, only listening and following directions. She caught on very quickly to the mouse and did great. She is just about 5 now and she has a few more games and she also uses the internet for pbskids.org, playhousedisney.com and nickjr.com. They all have age appropriate games. She caught on pretty quickly so I let her use the games by herself a couple times a week. My DS is turning 3 tomorrow and he has played a couple times w/ his sister. He has a harder time following directions but he tries and he'll get it eventually.

 

[bartleby1]

My kids loved reader rabbit toddler at that age. It is a great software program for little ones and it allows them to learn to use the mouse without any clicking involved. They also liked the Mickey Mouse toddler CD.

 

[showar]

My dd has been using the pc since she was about 2. She is pretty good at the games and finishes them up almost as soon as we get them. Some of the sites that she likes to visit are:

www.playhousedisney.com
www.noggin.com
www.pbskids.com
www.nickjr.com
www.barbie.com
www.sesamestreet.com


There are quite a few more sites out there that are free and the kids figure them out pretty quickly.

 

[MrsPete]

She's old enough -- in fact, my daughters were using the computer a little younger. Their first program was the Playskool Easy Bake Oven program. It's a pain for the parents to hook up: you have to attach a "toy" over your keyboard, and it has to be "just so". I think they make a similar thing with boys in mind -- something with Tonka trucks?

They both LOVED that program and were so proud of themselves.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

There's great software out there for any age. My kids started on the computer before they were one with Sesame Street Baby & Me.

Dr. Suess preschool, Reader Rabbit, and anything Jumpstart are my kids favs. They also like the Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading and Learning games. My 3 year old DD loves Pooh Reading and Math.

 

[meandtheguys2]

There is a book called "Failure to connect" which discusses the impact on children's eyesight and computer use. It seems our parents were correct when they said "don't sit so close to the TV!" There is also no information that says a kid is better off learning any of that at such a young age.

 

[pyrxtc]

I 2nd the Reader Rabbit software. Awesome stuff!!

 

[DsnyDrmr]

Try Elmo's Preschool--all 3 of mine started with that one. Jump Start Preschool and the Reader Rabbit series are very good also.

 

[kahluacream]

I found a very helpful article on the Babycenter website. It's called "Computers and Toddlers: How to Make it Work." The DIS won't let me post a link since I'm pretty new here, but you can find it by logging on to Babycenter and using the article title in the search box. HTH...

Happy computing!!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DS3 enjoys www.starfall.com. We go over the alphabet and then do some of the learning to read stories. He loves it!

Lori

 

[Carolinagirl1063]

All of these suggestions are good. My DD likes to just type on word pad. She does her numbers and abc's and always ask how to spell things to type. We started this around 2yo. This helped her hone her letter/number skills and familiarized her with the keyboard layout.

 

[Minnie824]

my DD is 3.5 and we just started her using the computer, teaching her how to use the mouse, etc. We haven't bought any programs yet, but we go to www.care-bears.com and there is a memory game she loves (and is now very good at). Also, we visit Disney.com to look at some of the shows and information there.

 

[sconnell]

Thanks for the sites guys! We went to pbskids and she loved it! She was suprisingly good with the mouse and did a great job with Zoe's shape game.