3 year old + computer?

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: desy
kids who spend a lot of time on computers actually score lower in mathematics than kids who have a limited exposure to computers.
How computers make our kids stupid


"For all the schools and parents who have together invested billions to give children a learning edge through the latest computer technology, a mammoth new study by German researchers brings some sobering news: Too much exposure to computers might spell trouble for the developing mind.
From a sample of 175,000 15-year-old students in 31 countries, researchers at the University of Munich announced in November that performance in math and reading had suffered significantly among students who have more than one computer at home. And while students seemed to benefit from limited use of computers at school, those who used them several times per week at school saw their academic performance decline significantly as well."

I'd say more like children who didn't use computers properly suffered in math skills. When I was young I played King's Quest and Space Quest, basically learned how to type in those games. I also played Think Quick!, and a bunch of those Reader Rabbit/Rockey's Boots type games on our old PC. Great games, and you learned a lot from them.

If you teach kids that a computer is a TOOL to help you do things, rather than a toy to be sat at all day, you shouldn't have a problem. If you're concerned about prolonged usage, make sure that the time they spend at the computer is productive, not just playing mindless games or chatting online. Limit their time on the computer, and make sure they do chores/homework first.

I wouldn't worry about letting a 3 year-old use a computer, just get a nice keyboard/mouse she can play with, get a couple of semi-educational (gotta be fun) games, like Hello Kitty or something, and let her sit an hour a day if she wants. Make sure she spends time outside before the computer, and try to sit with her while she's on it, make it more of a group thing than a solo activity, less likely she'll want to sit at it alone if she's used to having someone with her.

 

[Lonyo]

My friends 6yo sister (iirc she's 6) went on their computer and logged in as admin (her mum's account, which had no password I think) and changed all the families passwords (they all had their own accounts on Win XP).
That was funny. Computers FTW.

 

[snoturtle]

My oldest got her first computer at the age of 2
by 3-4 she was able to open her own games and put her own cd's into the computer and put them away

They get 3-5 hours total a week if that

The one thing I would recomend is a small mouse

They have little kids ones with Dora and stuff on them or if you have a laptop one that will work aslo as its nice and small

 

[everman]

I'd get the kids reading books instead. 1hr reading a book is probably several times more beneficial than playing on a computer.

 

[intogamer]

Don't let her like some WOW people on for 6hrs

Give her breaks at times. Ask her what she did and what she learned.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: everman
I'd get the kids reading books instead. 1hr reading a book is probably several times more beneficial than playing on a computer.

true dat. I jsut to read books liek you wouldn't believe.....until I discovered the internet at about 12


then @ around 18 I discovered AT and it has never been the same🙁