Even young children can benefit from computer use in schools

By Jenifer Darling

Computers and Preschoolers

• Children need plenty of time to experiment and explore. Children 3 and 4 years of age are ready to experiment with computers, and most early childhood educators see the computer center as a valuable activity center for learning. Timing is crucial. (Haugland, 2000)

Kindergarten and Early Primary Grades

• When children start kindergarten it is important that they continue to have experience with a computer center that includes a library of developmentally appropriate software. Children need the possibility to make choices about some of their computer experiences. (Haugland, 2000)

Benefits • Research has shown that 3- and 4-year-old

children who use computers with activities that help support the major objectives of the school programs have considerably greater developmental gains when compared to children without the chance to experience computers in similar classrooms. The advancements include areas in intelligence, nonverbal skills, structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills (Haugland, 1992).

Benefits

• The possible gains for kindergarten and primary children are remarkable, including improved motor skills, improved mathematical thinking, improved creativity, higher scores on tests of critical thinking and problem solving, higher levels of what Nastasi and Clements (1994) term effective motivation (the belief that they can change or affect their environment), and increased scores on standardized language assessments.

Personal Thoughts

• With new programs developing every year that enables even young children to explore the computer and internet with very little effort and the correct guidance the researcher can not see how it use on the computer can be a negative thing. The world is turning more towards technology every year. To enable even young children the ability to explore and learn this world will enable the future to be leaders.

Interactive Games

• http://www.sesamestreet.org/home

• http://www.pbs.org/

• http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-games.html

Interactive Games

• http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=gamesLanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us

• http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm

Interactive Games

• http://www.abcya.com/

• http://www.learn4good.com/games/kids.htm

• http://www.funbrain.com/

• http://www.primarygames.com/

References • Haugland, S. W. (1992). The effect of computer software on

preschool children's developmental gains. JOURNAL OF COMPUTING IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, 3(1), 15-30. EJ 438 238.

• Haugland, S. W. (2000). Eric Digest. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education Champaign IL.: http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-4/young.htm. ED438926

• Nastasi, B. K., & Clements, D. H. (1994). Effectance motivation, perceived scholastic competence, and higher-order thinking in two cooperative computer environments. JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL COMPUTING RESEARCH, 10(3), 249-275. EJ 486 806.