As the first generation of serious computer users have come of age and had children of their own, the obvious questions begin to emerge.
At what age is it appropriate to begin to teach your children the value of these essential tools, and how should you best go about accomplishing that goal? There are many ways to bring your children into the information age with children's computers, provided that you have a concrete plan in place for helping them to learn responsible computing habits, as well as monitoring their activities when they are at the keyboard.
Small children When children first experience what they have seen mommy and daddy do since they were old enough to take note of their surroundings, there is an understandable excitement.
Every click and move of the mouse is an adventure, even if they never manage to get beyond the computer desktop! You can enrich their experience and assist their learning process by taking an active role in their technological development.
The first rule of thumb when dealing with small children who are first learning their way around a computer screen is to make sure that you make the time to be there with them.
This means tearing yourself away from your own screen long enough to guide them through the basics of computer use.
Why your involvement is necessary Even after your child has become somewhat familiar with browsing the internet and working with icons and other objects, it is still important that you maintain involvement.
There are some basic reasons why.
First of all, your child will never really run out of questions about the operation of children's computers, since each new project brings new discoveries.
More importantly, however, your presence and involvement will help to remind the child that working with computers need not be a solitary task that separates them from their friends and family.
It can, when done right, be a communal experience of shared information seeking.
Protection Of course, no discussion of children's computers could be complete without mentioning the importance of providing security for your child during any online sessions.
As children get older, they are drawn toward the more social activities on the internet: emailing, online chat, and writing in blogs and forums.
It is important to both monitor your child's activities and also provide the necessary information to enable him or her to avoid falling into many of the common traps that afflict young children in such settings.
Always remind your children to avoid revealing personal details about themselves to strangers they meet online.
Set clear rules When it comes to children's computers, be sure to establish clearly understandable rules and guidelines for computer use.
There should be limits on the amount of time you allow your child to spend at the computer, as well as rules governing food and drink.
The key point is to ensure that your child understands that the computer is a tool used to provide information and communication, rather than just another expensive toy.
At what age is it appropriate to begin to teach your children the value of these essential tools, and how should you best go about accomplishing that goal? There are many ways to bring your children into the information age with children's computers, provided that you have a concrete plan in place for helping them to learn responsible computing habits, as well as monitoring their activities when they are at the keyboard.
Small children When children first experience what they have seen mommy and daddy do since they were old enough to take note of their surroundings, there is an understandable excitement.
Every click and move of the mouse is an adventure, even if they never manage to get beyond the computer desktop! You can enrich their experience and assist their learning process by taking an active role in their technological development.
The first rule of thumb when dealing with small children who are first learning their way around a computer screen is to make sure that you make the time to be there with them.
This means tearing yourself away from your own screen long enough to guide them through the basics of computer use.
Why your involvement is necessary Even after your child has become somewhat familiar with browsing the internet and working with icons and other objects, it is still important that you maintain involvement.
There are some basic reasons why.
First of all, your child will never really run out of questions about the operation of children's computers, since each new project brings new discoveries.
More importantly, however, your presence and involvement will help to remind the child that working with computers need not be a solitary task that separates them from their friends and family.
It can, when done right, be a communal experience of shared information seeking.
Protection Of course, no discussion of children's computers could be complete without mentioning the importance of providing security for your child during any online sessions.
As children get older, they are drawn toward the more social activities on the internet: emailing, online chat, and writing in blogs and forums.
It is important to both monitor your child's activities and also provide the necessary information to enable him or her to avoid falling into many of the common traps that afflict young children in such settings.
Always remind your children to avoid revealing personal details about themselves to strangers they meet online.
Set clear rules When it comes to children's computers, be sure to establish clearly understandable rules and guidelines for computer use.
There should be limits on the amount of time you allow your child to spend at the computer, as well as rules governing food and drink.
The key point is to ensure that your child understands that the computer is a tool used to provide information and communication, rather than just another expensive toy.