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What's the minimum age for Windows?
We had a chat with VTech yesterday, a company that makes childrens toys, including some that plug into computers.
The Whiz Kid is an educational toy that works a little like a graphics tablet but with activity sheets that work with the pen. For example clicking on the correct animal in the Old MacDonald had a farm activity.
It got me wondering at what age I should start letting my children loose on my computers. My eldest has been desperate to have a play on my notebook since she was about 1. I managed to get around the random characters in articles by using the keyboard on the shelf under the desk with an unplugged keyboard on top of the desk as a decoy!
But apart from distraction techniques, I find myself wondering when I should start doing things with a computer. Despite the techie leanings, part of me wants to hold off as long as possible to emphasis books and proper writing but I'd rather not martyr my children to my own opinions.
What do people think is the right age to start using computers properly?
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My kids have used my computer since they were about 2. I got them a smaller mouse and they picked it up really quickly. Even at nursery school there is an ICT section of the national curriculum, the nursery teachers commented on how good my youngest son's mouse skills are!
I think it enhances their learning in other areas - there are loads of educational games on the CBeebies website that kids like to be able to do themselves.
However I have made sure my older kids learn to write before they learn to type.
posted-by Matthew Babirecki | August 26, 2007 10:44 PM