Teaching Children to Use Computers

When your child starts school you may discover an unlikely thing. Children are being asked to use computers in school as part of their education as young as Kindergarten and Pre-K. So, while many parents concentrate on teaching their toddlers and preschoolers their letters, numbers and colors, they may not even think to teach them beginning computer skills. Children as young as 2 years old can begin to master basic computer skills. With technology becoming such a large part of our daily lives, it is important to teach basic skills and safety to children at younger ages than ever before. Here are several tips to start your toddler or preschooler off on the right foot when it comes to computer knowledge and skills.

Tip #1 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Your child will be naturally curious about the computer if they see you using it. One of the best ways to introduce a toddler or preschooler to the computer is to allow them to sit in your lap or in a chair next to you while you are working on the computer. Talk to them and tell them what you are doing. Use terminology that they will need to learn like "click", "enter", "mouse" and "print". Answer any questions they have.

Tip #2 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Sometimes, when your child is interested in the computer, allow them to try typing. Open up a word processing program with an empty document and allow them to type away while you observe and give tips. Show them where the enter key is an what it does. Show them which keys they should not touch unless they ask first. Allow them to type for a bit and then print out their work for them to hang on the fridge. This gets them familiar with the concepts of typing and words appearing on the screen.

Tip #3 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Teach your toddler or preschooler to use a mouse correctly. Check out my article on Teaching Your Toddler To Use A Computer Mouse for tips on how to do this. Make sure that you always supervise your child to make sure that no programs are opened on accident. Make sure to tell your child not to right click with their mouse unless they ask first. When they get older you can teach them when to use this function.

Tip #4 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Find easy toddler games and educational websites on line. Make sure that you check them out yourself first and then bookmark them for the future. Many toddler and preschool sites teach mouse and keyboarding skills in the midst of games.

Tip #5 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Create shortcuts on your desktop for sites that your child enjoys visiting. Make sure that they are in a separate area from your own icons and that the icons for their sites are brightly colored and big. Show your child where the shortcuts are and teach them how to click on them to open the sites.

Tip #6 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

You may choose to disable your printer when your child is on the computer. Either that or unplug it. This will prevent your child from accidentally printing numerous items without permission. If they wish to print something they will then have to ask.

Tip #7 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Search for software specifically geared for toddlers and preschoolers. There are many options out there, some are even available to help teach typing skills. Games and educational software are available everywhere. Once the game is installed, teach your child how to insert the disc and click on the correct icon to start playing the game. Make sure that the icon for the game is in the same area as any other icons for your child, separate from your own icons and shortcuts.

Tip #8 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Blocking or filtering software is available to help keep your children safe on the internet. While most toddlers and preschoolers are not going to be searching for objectionable content on the web, accidents happen. It is never too early to initiate safety programs. Begin teaching your child internet safety by telling them that they cannot go on-line without permission. Then, make sure that you are supervising them. As they get older you will have to address safety even more.

Tip #9 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

Rather than overwhelm your toddler or preschooler with too much information, you may want to limit their computer usage each day. I suggest using an egg timer to let them know when their time is up. For very young children, 15 minutes a day may be enough to begin their computer education. Add time as they get older but remember to limit the time so that they get physical activity as well. When young children are first learning new things, they can easily get frustrated. Frustrated children and computers do not mix. If your child is getting frustrated while trying to learn to use the computer, then it is time to step away. Take them to do another activity and come back to the computer another day.

Tip #10 For Teaching Children To Use Computers

I cannot stress enough the importance of supervising your toddler or preschooler whenever they are on the computer. From damage to the computer to accidental web surfing, there is no end to the things that can go wrong on a computer. While I do not sit with my toddler every second they are on the computer, I am in the same room with them at all times. This allows me to help as needed and supervise so that there are no mishaps.