Using computers with young children

Some simple preparations can make all the difference to a child's first experience of using a computer.

The purpose of these activities is to help the child become familiar with a computer and to use a mouse. Additionally it gives a lot of langauge opportunity. It is not appropriate to give this program to a child working on their own until they are very familiar with every activity in the suite.

• Make sure that the monitor is as low as possible and tilting downwards so that the child looks at it straight on.
• Move the Keyboard away and place a large mouse mat or suitable surface in front of the child, This is to define a working area for the mouse. If the mouse runs off the mouse mat, lift the child's hand with the mouse back to the centre of the mouse mat area. This is quite a complicated concept in language, but will be quickly learnt through example.
• Think of some simple way of talking about what is needed and give verbal support for success. There are no computer based auditory explanations as young children at this stage of development may have quite different vocabulary comprehension. Any suggestions given in the F1 help are just a guide. Use language that suits your child best.