Parenting

Out of context: Reply #24

  • Started
  • Last post
  • 28 Responses
  • Nairn1

    Advice, please?

    Girl-kid is five. I need to get her into computers.

    How?

    I'm thinking to buy her a second hand laptop and customise a windows profile and just go with that, but... thoughts?

    Is touchscreen necessary? I'd prefer her to learn keyboard, trackpad/mouse (a path she's already a bit on, from using my laptop here), but I can certainly see the advantage of a touchscreen interface too.. but then part of me wants to keep that seperate from the concept of a tablet. I think that sort of thing after she understands 'what' a computer is.

    Thanks in advance.
    x

    Nairn 1Permalink
    UpvoteDownvote
    Flag
    • * I think that sort of thing *after* she understands...Nairn
    • Local Coder Dojo?

      https://coderdojo.co…      mort_
    • Oh sorry, it’s from age 7mort_
    • thanks. I think I had a stroke up there.

      I'm thinking to aim for something like
      https://scratch.mit.… long-term      Nairn
    • I feel like they’re going to get into computers anyway, plenty, so there’s no big need to really force it early. But ... Minecraft?monospaced
    • My first meaningful computer experiences were with HyperCard on Mac classics in the 80s. As long as it isn’t YouTube :)monospaced
    • For slightly older kids, this looks impressive - https://www.mblock.c…Nairn
    • I'd say iPad with ProCreate for art or simple music apps like Koala, maybe Logic (with help). My daughter (now 7.5) understood procreate at 5microkorg
    • to be able to do multilayer images. both my kids 6&7 can jam on koala and have fun.
      Both love to build and build on minecraft      microkorg
    • but we've weened them off this till they are older. minecraft intense screen time isnt good for their brains.microkorg
    • As a father to an 11-year-old girl, my advice is: Do not do that. Let her develop her motor skills instead. She will master computers in no time herselfzaq
    • Por que no los dos?Nairn
    • I agree with you zaq.
      We cut our kids screen time massively and got an electric piano. Kids both really into it. Calms them too.      microkorg
    • Just to be clear, I am a total fascist where it comes to screen time. But,causing a computer usefully and productively is something I want to encourage.Nairn
    • *using. Damn mobile.Nairn
    • I was thinking about this again recently (this post being 8 months old and i've still not got her a pc) - i had a tv and a [literally Basic] computer when I ...Nairn
    • ... was not far off her age. Difference then being there were only 4 tv channels, most of which wasn't kid-centric, and the computer was.. well, Basic.Nairn
    • I spent 90% of my free-time not watching that tv or using that computer, but I *did* use them. I can't deny her at least the basics I had. And more.Nairn
    • I just want to find that line - i DO NOT want her having a basic tablet and unfettered media/app access. Quite the opposite.Nairn
    • Trick here is: Computers are going to be fundamentally different to use in five/ten years so.. maybe not bother?
      I don't like that route.      Nairn
    • My youngest (15) has an iPad and also access to a laptop. He has zero interest in the laptop. He makes music, animations, art all on the iPad. I'd go tablet.mort_
    Show [[ numHiddenNotes ]] more notesAdd Note
    SaveCancel

View thread