| Computers have become a common and needed | | | | material. |
| part of life in today's society, making computer | | | | By first grade, children have usually gained a good |
| education imperative for children. Young children will | | | | understanding of how to use a mouse and they are |
| typically begin to show an interest in the home PC by | | | | learning to use keyboard letters to type. Games like |
| their toddler years. While it is may be a good idea to | | | | Typing Instructor for Kids can help young children |
| begin introducing your toddler to the computer in | | | | become fast and efficient computer users. Early |
| very short sessions, most children can began to learn | | | | elementary age children are ready to move beyond |
| and understand a computer's functionality by | | | | simple reinforcement and skill drill activities to the |
| preschool age. | | | | many different functions of a computer. |
| Preschool age children can learn to turn the computer | | | | First through third graders should use the computer |
| on by themselves and will quickly learn to operate | | | | as a supplement for their classroom work. A student |
| the mouse. Simple games that teach and reinforce | | | | studying about stars and planets can use the internet |
| basic school readiness skills are great for this age. | | | | to search for pictures and information about |
| Computer education for preschool age children should | | | | constellations. An assignment about Africa can include |
| be limited to short sessions of about 30 minutes a | | | | a search for videos of African animals. Allow your |
| few times a week. | | | | child to work on his own, but stay close by to |
| Many childcare facilities offer computer time as part | | | | prevent access to inappropriate content and to |
| of their weekly curriculum for preschoolers. | | | | answer any questions. |
| Structured games and activities give young children | | | | Software programs that allow children to create, like |
| an opportunity to explore the way a computer | | | | an art or publishing suite designed specifically for kids, |
| works. Games that require dragging objects across | | | | can boost creativity along with providing exposure to |
| the screen are excellent for building mouse skills in | | | | technology. Grade level skills can also be practiced |
| beginner users. Chose age-appropriate software and | | | | and enhanced with math, reading, and spelling |
| websites that involve alphabet and color recognition, | | | | computer games. There are a number of kid-friendly |
| shapes, counting, or short stories that are read aloud. | | | | websites that provide search engines, games, and |
| Activities that feature music are also enjoyable for a | | | | interaction opportunities. |
| preschooler's computer time. | | | | Computer education for children should also include |
| Kindergartners are normally still exploring the basics of | | | | writing and creative writing activities. First graders are |
| computer use and will probably do best with activities | | | | beginning to familiarize themselves with the keyboard |
| that reinforce simple skills. As children become more | | | | and can write short letters or emails. By second and |
| comfortable with the computer, more complex | | | | third grade, children can use word processor |
| games and activities can be introduced. Computer | | | | programs or writing software designed for children to |
| education for kindergartners typically consists of | | | | write and publish their own short stories and poems, |
| short sessions of no more than an hour, playing | | | | as well as use email to write to relatives. |
| games that correlate with their classroom learning | | | | |