At what age is it usefull for children...

[Ted1]

At what age is it usefull for children to begin work(play,lean or something else) with computer?

 

[Isla]

My husband has them in his lap while he is playing Tomb Raider, etc, by the time they are 12 months. They have all been taking charge of the joystick by the time they are 2. I kid you not.

I'm not sure is this is good.... but it's his way of spending time with them!

 

[NFS4]

As soon as they can walk

 

[jmcoreymv]

If they aint learning assembly by the time theyre 7, then they arent learning fast enough.

 

[Total Refected Power]

Problem solving skills are key in any form.

 

[Impact55]

As soon as they can eat

 

[jhu]

i learned assembly when i was 14. guess that's why i'm not going the computer route.

 

[Yeeny]

My kids can all use the computer very well, from my three year old to my eight year old. I taught them young, because it is such a big part of the world today, and the sooner they learn, the better.

 

[Spoooon]

The sooner the better. I got my first computer when I was 10 or 12. It was a Commodore 64/128. Talk about some good times. Learned BASIC and messed around with lots of cool games.

 

[ltk007]

I think I started on a computer around 6, playing sim city. As soon as the kid can hold a mouse, teach em!

 

[hubbs]

I started too late in my opinion.

I know I installed my first program when I was 8 years old on windows 3.1

 

[MrsSkywalker]

I sit my newborn on my lap while I compute. I think it is essential to their futures that kids these days are able to be as comfortable with computers as possible. Our other kids are fascinated with them and would much prefer to use the computer than watch TV.

 

[urbantechie]

I'm 15 now, I was able to build a computer when I was 8. I got my little sisters into computers when they were real little. Now they are building Mandy Moore and N'Sync websites!! (god..I HATE their MP3 collection!) Try to get them into computers as soon as you can.

 

[Batti]

There's some excellent software out there for as young as two. My 3 year old son has his own machine, and is very proficient with the mouse, etc. Their rate of learning is amazing, and the skills are critical today.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

My son started at 2 and now at 8 knows basic HTML coding, some Javascript and has his own heavily supervised, private bulletin board, which he helped choose and load the graphics and layout for. My nephew is 3 and occasionally plays age-appropriate games with his dad. I'm with the majority here, you can't start them too young.

 

[urbantechie]

Hmm..but one thing, I NEVER talk about computers at school. Even though all my freinds know I know so much and they always ask questions, I try to keep the answer short or say I don't know

 

[Dan]

As early as possible. I introduced my grandson to computers when he was 3. He just turned 12 and can assemble one from scratch.

 

[~zonker~]

It's fine to start them young, but don't let the computer become a babysitter. The kids social development is very important. I mean more important than learning how to run a computer....

 

[Pastfinder]

I believe it depends on WHAT they are using the computer for. It seems that the computer is living two lives. In one life, it is a learning tool, a source of great knowledge and research. The other life is in games and Anandtech Forums

 

[Ted1]

Thanks, all!

 

[Mday]

since at that age, the children are still developing physically, I MUST urge you to get them proper equipment with respect to chairs, desks and such. no need to start repetitive stress disorder early.

the dexterity of a child's hands is not developed enough to use what we can use. and they tend to BANG on things...

 

[Ted1]

Thanks, Mday

 

[Viperoni]

Make sure you geta spill proof keyboard and a good mouse....but not expensive
I started when I was 8 on my 386 (8 years ago )
4mb ram *drool* NOT!

 

[Phalkon]

Whenever their brains can handle it all.

 

[bigvince]

My six-year old has her own computer and she's on it most of the time. i'm not exactly sure if that's good for her but she has learned alot about computers in the 2 years she's had it.