When it comes to the world of education these days, it is an understatement to say that the use of a P.C. (personal computer) plays a key role in a child's learning process from a very early stage. It is not uncommon for children to be introduced to learning games and number puzzles at the junior-kindergarten age. Modern education is very computer oriented. This is to say that the days of a person being “computer illiterate” will soon be an expression that is almost unheard of.
If indeed all of our school-age children have some contact with the computer, it would be wise for us to keep them familiar with the computers that we have in our homes. Many people who invest in expensive systems worry that the children will break the computer or foul something up. We worry that CD rom doors will be broken off; sticky little fingers will cover the keyboards, and a nice shade of Crayola crayons will be the new screen tint. In some cases these are valid concerns in regards to the preschooler who is still being potty-trained, or the little one who has just learned to take their first steps. It is a logical assumption however, that this age bracket of children have many more general life learning skills to master before they learn to work a computer mouse.
The truth of the matter is that our children are introduced to learning via computer almost as soon as they enter the public school system. From then on it is a process of the school exposing our children to computer systems as often as it is written into that particular school's curriculum.
In short, the more exposure we give our young children to our home systems, the better they will be in the long run. It is a wise idea to invest in a second system (in case your primary system is for business use ect.) and spend time with your young children playing learning games and using educational software. There are numerous children's programs that are actually interactive programs, which teach children their primary colors, numbers, and object identification. Most children become so involved in interactive learning games (that are usually masked in the form of a Disney story or other popular children's theme) that they don't realize that they are being taught their necessities and rudimentary learning skills.
As for computer care, this is always a concern. Even though the children may be unable to understand the basics of what makes a computer work, they are still curious as to what buttons to push and what happens when they do this or that. As I suggested earlier the first times that your young child (3 to five) is on the computer, they do not operate it by themselves. It will take them some time to learn how to operate the mouse much less insert the CD and run the specific program. As a parent that's what you are there for. Take some time on a daily basis and hold their hand through these early steps. A three year old is just learning his colors, numbers, and shapes and there are a myriad of programs to reinforce your child's learning and at the same time familiarize them with computer systems and controls.
As for damaging a system, the positives in this equation far out way the negatives. You will find that a child needs to be told only a few times that they wont be able to play their “Disney” game if they push the button on the CD rom door. If they are told not to touch the screen for the same reason, you will find that they will become quite satisfied just sitting in a chair (with or without you) plotting through a Learning Company Interactive game.
So give the little ones a chance. A child's learning is worth far more than you could ever pay for a computer system, and the time that you spend with them during these early stages is priceless.
