What is the Right Age for starting the Child on the Computer?

The answer to this question can vary, but some children as early as 2 ½ years have the attention, understanding, and eye-hand coordination to make them “ready” for the computer. Others need a little more time, but often sometime between age 3 and 4 they are ready to get started.

Of course, learning happens best in a setting where there is structure – rules, respect, and balance. So if you are ready to have your preschool age child explore and learn using technology, you should be ready yourself to be involved firsthand in the process. The right software or website selection may keep your child occupied and learning, but don’t underestimate your role as their coach and teacher right at their side, to set the rules, guide them through whatever they are working on, and to praise their accomplishments!

Before you just sit your child down to a preschool educational website activity or children’s software program, here are some important suggestions to get started on the right foot.

- Let your child know that he or she is about to do something really, really special – something only “big” people get to do. Let them value the privilege of using the computer.
- Teach your child right from the start that they need to follow specific rules when they are using the computer. Have your child practice tapping the keys on the keyboard. Next, introduce your child to the mouse. Simply placing a sticker on the left mouse button makes it easier for a young child to know which button to click. Have your child practice clicking the mouse.

When you think your child has grasped the movement of the mouse, the tapping of the keys, and how it is related to what happens on the screen, move on to trying your selected children’s software or website. There is a great forward progression to the level of understanding with every few months of age, so if you have tried using the computer and you are not comfortable that your child is “ready”, give it a month or two and try again. You might be surprised by how much they can change in so little time.

Given the right approach, a young child can learn and acquire many new skills using technology. It is most important to keep the experience a positive one, which means the child uses the computer with respect and with rules and that there is a voice that praises their accomplishments during the learning process.