| In less than two decades, home computers have | | | | of three or four, kids are ready to begin exploring |
| become a necessary part of life for most people. | | | | the computer, as long as they are supervised by |
| In the twenty-first century, computer literacy is | | | | parents or caregivers. According to |
| as important as reading itself. We all remember | | | | SesameWorkshop.org, the ability to control |
| how daunting the computer seemed, the first | | | | technology can be a valuable lesson at this age. |
| time we clicked a mouse. Most parents of young | | | | As well, computer games for preschoolers can |
| children today touched their first computer as | | | | offer valuable lessons in counting, spelling, and |
| teens, and have no first-hand experience | | | | classification.What parents must guard against is |
| regarding the right age at which to begin training | | | | using the computer as the only surrogate teacher. |
| their own children in computer usage. But a parent | | | | Some seminal studies have shown that a fairly |
| can't help feeling a certain pride, watching a | | | | sizable percentage of today's high-school students, |
| three-year-old navigate a game program.We want | | | | who grew up dependent on computers, feel |
| our kids to have every advantage possible, and | | | | uncomfortable with the "mechanics" of arithmetic |
| the computer is certainly the most | | | | (two things plus two things actually make four |
| comprehensive educational tool available, today. At | | | | things) and spelling (without spell-check).Parents |
| the same time, we have to ask ourselves-how | | | | must also weigh the physical effects of computer |
| young is too young?Unfortunately, behavioral | | | | use. Obviously, the child accustomed to achieving |
| scientific studies take years to complete, and so | | | | entertainment and amusement solely through the |
| far, there's no concensus among experts about | | | | computer is less active than the child who can |
| the computer's effect on young children. | | | | derive pleasure from physical activity. If a child's |
| However, many organizations do provide some | | | | computer experience isn't monitored for correct |
| common-sense guidelines for parents.According to | | | | ergonomics, poor posture can develop, early, and |
| KidSource.com, many researchers discourage | | | | be difficult to correct, later.Eyestrain is also an |
| computer use before the age of three: | | | | important consideration about which parents must |
| "Computers simply do not match their learning | | | | be vigilant. Twenty minutes to a half-hour in front |
| style". Children under three learn about the world | | | | of a computer monitor is probably as much time |
| through their senses-taste, touch, sight and | | | | as children should spend, without a break.And, of |
| sound-and it's difficult for them to focus attention | | | | course, internet usage should be closely monitored |
| for any length of time. There are game programs | | | | by parents at all times.Computers will continue to |
| available for kids as young as two, which | | | | advance, even in ways we still haven't begun to |
| concentrate on cause-and-effect actions; when | | | | fathom. With careful training, at an early age, our |
| the mouse is moved and clicked at a certain | | | | children can live lives enhanced by computers, |
| point, a noise occurs or a picture appears. | | | | rather than dominated by them.Brought to you |
| However, a child slapping the bathwater, to make | | | | by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of |
| a noise and a splash, can be just as | | | | valuable family oriented content. For safe, |
| developmentally valuable, if not more so, because | | | | family-friendly games and activities visit the official |
| it involves more of a complete sensory | | | | Santa Claus Home Page. |
| experience.Most experts agree that, by the age | | | | |