Baby Computers?

Should youngsters use computers in school?

Baby Computers?cafe racer

From my blog at http://preschoolsoftware.blogspot.com

I found an interesting article today from Australia. Apparently, researchers found that teaching preschoolers how to use and become comfortable with a computer better prepares them for school and learning in general.

" [Computers] play an integral and growing role in education, work and communications, and the sooner a child becomes comfortable with this technology, the better. "

I agree wholeheartedly. My son is only in first grade, but he was required to take reading, math and language assessment tests last year and in the current year using a computer. He was one of only a few students that did not require any instruction on how to use a mouse and keyboard. His comfort level with this important tool had a lot to do with him scoring well on his assessments.

Imagine how the other kids must have felt? Not only were they being asked to take a test on how much they knew and learned, they were asked to use a tool that they were unfamiliar and most likely uncomfortable with! That would be like asking someone to drive a car who had never seen one before!

Another good quote from the article:

" We don't question whether to give a young child access to paper and crayons. We make them available at the earliest age that a toddler can hold a crayon and make a mark on the paper, a valuable lesson in cause and effect. "