What Age Should you Introduce Children to Computers?
Posted by Bram P
IT and computer technology are so embedded in our working and personal lives today it’s hard to image what we did before them. Many techno-phobic oldies (i.e. anyone over the age of 40 usually!) and parents especially complain that all kids seem to do is sit in front of the games console mowing down strangers. Games consoles are not computers in the “world of work” sense however there are proven educational advantages to early computer use for children. Most researchers agree that children under 3 years old shouldn’t use computers as they simply don’t match their learning style. Toddlers learn through using their bodies, eyes, ears, mouths, hands, and legs. They are full of movement and are mastering the developmental skills of crawling, walking, talking, and making friends.
Whatever the computer or program used, it’s likely for the foreseeable future that the principal means of inputting information, communicating with the machine and accessing the power of different programs will remain the keyboard and the mouse. Voice recognition software continues to develop at a pace, but it’s going to be many years yet before we can talk to our PCs “Star Trek fashion”. For many, the keyboard and the need to learn typing skills remains a major barrier to using a computer. Kids may not have that pre-conceived fear of “typing” and their dexterity with the mouse can be developed with different trackball and infra red or wireless ergonomic models.
Essentially, the primary interface of the keyboard will remain pretty well fixed in its physical layout and presentation. Making educational keyboards more attractive and simpler for kids to access will certainly help encourage interaction with computers at pre-school and primary level. There are robust and reliable products with keys that feature lower case characters to enhance letter form recognition. Other keyboards for preschoolers are built to the same size as a normal keyboard but feature 10 times larger multi-coloured keys with the vowel keys (a,e,i,o,u) marked in a bold consistent colour, making identification easier with all the lettering in lower case to aid recognition.
Maximising the usability and appeal of the keyboard will encourage kids to explore the use of computers and hence gain substantial advantages. Research has shown that pre-school kids (4 years old and upwards) who use computers with supporting activities have significantly greater developmental gains compared with children without that computer experience. Improved motor skills enhanced mathematical thinking; increased creativity, higher scores on tests of critical thinking and problem solving and increased scores on standardised language assessments are just some of the established educational benefits. Properly supervised and integrated early computer use with the age appropriate software also increases levels of spoken communication and cooperation in kindergarten age kids. That’s all enhanced if the way into the world of IT – the keyboard – is made simple, accessible and fun!
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