Computer Setup for Pre-Schooler

[SamSpade]

My guy is fascinated with my computer and has learned (while playing behind my back!) how the mouse works. I'd like to set up a computer in the house just for him to use.

He's weak in a lot of areas, but for some reason he has a skill for figuring out electronics and tech devices. But I think something as complex as your typical Windows screen and something as difficult as double-clicking might be too hard.

Has anyone seen a setup on a computer designed just for kids? Not a "kid computer". A real one set up for a 4 year old. Maybe just a web page with large buttons.

 

[Baja28]

My guy is fascinated with my computer and has learned (while playing behind my back!) how the mouse works. I'd like to set up a computer in the house just for him to use.

He's weak in a lot of areas, but for some reason he has a skill for figuring out electronics and tech devices. But I think something as complex as your typical Windows screen and something as difficult as double-clicking might be too hard.

Has anyone seen a setup on a computer designed just for kids? Not a "kid computer". A real one set up for a 4 year old. Maybe just a web page with large buttons.

Hide the car keys.

 

[BadGirl]

We have a regular desktop set up for our soon-to-be 4 year old. He LOVES playing Reader Rabbit on it, or whatever the heck it is called. I'm amazed at his dexterity in working the mouse, and it has helped him in letter identification, and in forming words, etc.

 

[tyky]

My son started playing Sesame Street games on our PC at 2 and he learned from there.

Home - Sesame Street

 

[clevalley]

We have a regular desktop set up for our soon-to-be 4 year old. He LOVES playing Reader Rabbit on it, or whatever the heck it is called. I'm amazed at his dexterity in working the mouse, and it has helped him in letter identification, and in forming words, etc.

Get a cheap desktop with a spillproof keyboard, monitor and a mouse and let him have at it.

I have not seen a kids version PC.

Like other posters, our boy used a desktop with the Reader Rabbit and other kid type software. He flies on a computer now and has shown the computer teacher in Middle School a few tips/tricks. He went as far as teasing her about running Windows 7 before it went public.

A lowend, cheap Pentium 4 would do the trick. Check the Dell Outlet site for REALLY good deals.

 

[SamSpade]

Oh, I have a desktop for him to use. I bought it the week before 9/11 - it's a tad archaic, and I use it mostly for Internet and email.

I was just thinking if they'd made something like the old Microsoft "Bob" software - a simplified desktop interface.

I'm amazed that a kid who can't draw letters can zoom all around a computer. I just don't want him to do what my niece did years ago - delete important or vital files.

 

[clevalley]

Oh, I have a desktop for him to use. I bought it the week before 9/11 - it's a tad archaic, and I use it mostly for Internet and email.

I was just thinking if they'd made something like the old Microsoft "Bob" software - a simplified desktop interface.

I'm amazed that a kid who can't draw letters can zoom all around a computer. I just don't want him to do what my niece did years ago - delete important or vital files.

My buddy had his boy playing with PowerPoint, drawing pictures and such around 4 or 5. He is a senior in HS and does reports/presentations that rival some of the PowerPoint Rangers we have here at work.

Start them him and keep him away from the Internet.

 

[tyky]

Get a cheap desktop with a spillproof keyboard, monitor and a mouse and let him have at it.

I have not seen a kids version PC.

Like other posters, our boy used a desktop with the Reader Rabbit and other kid type software. He flies on a computer now and has shown the computer teacher in Middle School a few tips/tricks. He went as far as teasing her about running Windows 7 before it went public.

A lowend, cheap Pentium 4 would do the trick. Check the Dell Outlet site for REALLY good deals.

Off topic, but am I the only parent that doesn't allow my children to eat or drink anything in any other room but the kitchen/dining room?

 

[SoMDGirl42]

Off topic, but am I the only parent that doesn't allow my children to eat or drink anything in any other room but the kitchen/dining room?

and my kids aren't allowed to play with the computer either God I'm a bad mom.

 

[sockgirl77]

Off topic, but am I the only parent that doesn't allow my children to eat or drink anything in any other room but the kitchen/dining room?

I used to be that way but then I gave up. They cannot eat in other rooms but they can drink with sippie cups in which ever room they please.

 

[pixiegirl]

Off topic, but am I the only parent that doesn't allow my children to eat or drink anything in any other room but the kitchen/dining room?

I'm a mean mom too! I have cream carpet in the bedrooms and living room; they have to stay on the wood floor with their food/drinks!

 

[SamSpade]

Off topic, but am I the only parent that doesn't allow my children to eat or drink anything in any other room but the kitchen/dining room?

If my kid wasn't hugely underweight or undersized, I'd keep a rule like that. But mostly it's a miracle that he eats at all. I'm just too glad he's eating something.

 

[aps45819]

I've got a system with Windows '98 on it that you can have.
Not sure on the particulars, I replaced my mom's computer and this is her old one.


It's got "Elf Bowling" on it

 

[itsbob]

We have a regular desktop set up for our soon-to-be 4 year old. He LOVES playing Reader Rabbit on it, or whatever the heck it is called. I'm amazed at his dexterity in working the mouse, and it has helped him in letter identification, and in forming words, etc.

I'd suggest a log on account just for him.. Delete ALL icons he won't need or use, disconnect/ delete all printers from his account, and (unless he needs it) disconnect his account from your network.

Buy three or four software packages just for him. The first few times you'll have to starth them for him, but after awhile he'll figure it out for himself.

 

[GWguy]

I'd get a non-working PC and paint a picture of a program on the screen, and let him use his imagination....

 

[SoccerMom2]

Hubby bought our son his own kiddie keyboard and mouse. I don't know where he got it from. The mouse is small so it is easy for him to use. He loves it.

 

[SamSpade]

I'd get a non-working PC and paint a picture of a program on the screen, and let him use his imagination....

Actually, I already do something like that. I have an old laptop that hasn't worked in years, and he calls it his 'puter. He bangs on the keys and pretends it's on, but sooner or later he'll say "daddy, it's not working".

On the other hand, it didn't stop him from actually prying up two or three of the keys off of the keyboard.

 

[EmptyTimCup]

Has anyone seen a setup on a computer designed just for kids? Not a "kid computer". A real one set up for a 4 year old. Maybe just a web page with large buttons.

when my youngest was a yr and a half, I acquired a 2nd had iMac ....

I wiped off OS X and installed OS 9 and recycled all the previous MAC Educational games the teens have all used back in the day ....

she took to that mac and has never looked back, and is now 4 plus .... and smart as a whip (her mom also reads to her as well and she did not watch Tv until after 3 and a half, beyond noticing a commercial that was louder than the regular tv show )


EDIT: I also got one of those mini travel sized USB mice ... fits her small have perfectly

 

[EmptyTimCup]

and my kids aren't allowed to play with the computer either God I'm a bad mom.

its ok, I am an IT / Computer Geek ... plenty of Computers to play with

 

[stars24]

I second the opinion to create a second log-in account for him. If he doesn't have the administrator account, he can't really hurt too much.... Like previous posters have said, just make the icons big and change all the settings to the most secure and easy-to-use possible. I think its a great idea to give him access to a computer.

3 and 4-year-olds are starting to use computers in pre-k. They are better with the "double clicking," "dragging," and other mouse movements than you might think.... it's almost intuitive to them. My 3 year old twin nephews have an outdated laptop that is pretty much theirs to play with and they are surprisingly gentle with it and have learned a lot from educational games and websites. Not many things hold their attention for as long as the computer does...

Recommendations to check out:
http://www.starfall.com/
Kids Connection! (This part of the St. Mary's County Library.... Click Tumblebooks... There are great interactive stories that are read aloud and really hold little ones' attention.)

Good luck!