Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To think that 3 is too young to be worrying about computer skills.

79 replies

psiloveyou · 29/03/2011 12:48

My 3 year dd just got her report from pre school.
It is really good and I am very pleased. However, the only negative comment was that she is not yet confident on the computer and cannot click and drag the mouse.

Whilst I understand that these days fairly good IT skills are a useful tool. Do they really need to be confident at 3. I wouldn't dream of letting her on the computer at home. I'm happy for her to play around at pre school but I really don't think computer skills are something that need to be commented on when they are 3.

I am a bit behind the times. I am worried now that we should be letting her spend time on the computer at home.

OP posts:

Firawla · 29/03/2011 12:50

they probably just had to find something negative to say so they feel they are atleast giving an area to improve? i wouldn't worry too much, she will pick it up at school if they keep practising it

Nanny0gg · 29/03/2011 12:52

Don't worry.
If you don't want her on the computer at home it's your decision.
She'll do what she needs at school.
As she gets older then I assume you'll let her use it then?

redskyatnight · 29/03/2011 12:53

Computer skills are just another skill that is practised/taught at pre-school and school. So nursery have mentioned it in the same way that they might mention that she is not good at sharing or sometimes jumbles her numbers up.
(also pre-school have to think of "something" that she can improve on).

She doesn't need to be proficient at 3. DD couldn't do a thing at that age, but is a whizz aged 5.

squeakytoy · 29/03/2011 12:56

I do find it ridiculous that children are expected to be using computers at such a young age. There really is no need for them in primary school, never mind pre-school. Children should learn to read, and write, before moving onto computers.

Original poster

psiloveyou · 29/03/2011 12:56

Yes nanny we will. That's if she can get past her 4 elder siblings. Actually it's just 3 siblings because I don't let the 5 year old use it either.

OP posts:

Francagoestohollywood · 29/03/2011 12:58

YANBU.
My children didn't use the pc when they were 3, and I was taken aback when I learnt that they used it at nursery.

MmeLindt · 29/03/2011 12:59

DS had never used the computer in his life till he sat down one day at age 5 and had a go at the Cbeebies website.

I am proud to say that his mouse skills were very good. In fact, I think he may be a naturally talented mouserer.

Don't worry, she will learn soon enough.

Preggersplayspop · 29/03/2011 12:59

I think you are maybe being a bit oversensitive. Is it really a 'report' or is it a description of skills she has picked up or has not yet picked up to give you an idea of what she is doing at pre school?

My nearly 4 year old can only just hold a pencil, but I know he will get there eventually. If nursery told me he couldn't hold a pencil properly yet I would agree with them, but I wouldn't view it as a negative at this stage. Ask me again though when is is at school!

mrsscoob · 29/03/2011 12:59

I don't think that is a negative comment. They have obviously just watched all the children in certain areas/situations and then made note of these observations. I think you have maybe taken this "report" a little seriously. She is only 3. Alot of preschools don't even do school reports.

seeker · 29/03/2011 13:00

I just can't understand why children need pens and paper - slates were good enough for me when was at school - why do they need anything different now?

ShatnersBassoon · 29/03/2011 13:01

I think the teacher is just trying to give her something to aim for, pointless as it may seem. A good report has to highlight where there is some room for improvement, and when they're so young (and well behaved and bright) it can be something daft like improving mouse skills or mastering the spacehopper.

Laquitar · 29/03/2011 13:03

YANBU.
Give them paint brushes and crayons, music and dance, play in the garden.
at a 3 yrs old lacking IT confidence!

Sirzy · 29/03/2011 13:03

I think computer skills are a great thing to learn and can help with co ordination.

It also adds a different, often enjoyable, aspect to leaning to go alongside the traditional methods.

FabbyChic · 29/03/2011 13:03

it's the techno age, children do learn at a young age, and all children should be encouraged to use them. There are two of us in this house with access to two laptops and two desktops. My children have always had access to computers and are now better than I on Office packages.

If you don't let them get on and use the computer at home then they will eventually fall behind their peers.

LessNarkyPuffin · 29/03/2011 13:05

Fun

MmeLindt · 29/03/2011 13:06

FabbyChic
I don't know if that is true. My DC had no PC time until about a year ago. I don't think that they are behind their friends.

Let's face it, we are not talking about writing computer programs - even my mother can email/use word. She does not need excel or powerpoint but I am sure that I could teach the basics in an hour or so.

Computers are so easy to use nowadays, there is not a lot of skill needed for normal everyday computer literacy.

Original poster

psiloveyou · 29/03/2011 13:07

Quite right seeker

I'm really not being sensitive, I am really surprised they would feel the need to comment. Isn't it much more important that they learn basic reading / writing skills first. I don't mind them saying negative things (it's not like she's my pfb) .
They also said she didn't hold scissors in the correct way. I'm happy to work on that.

OP posts:

GwendolineMaryLacey · 29/03/2011 13:09

DD wouldn't be able to click a mouse either...the laptop and iPad/iPhone have trackpads/touchscreens and she's been able to use those since she was a baby. I wouldn't worry about mouse skills tbh, apart from being too young to be an issue yet, no one will use mice soon anyway.

Rollmops · 29/03/2011 13:09

Kerrist on a bike, no wonder the current generation of yoofs youths has mastered the computer etc, however explains a lot about their verbal/reasoning/etc skills or rather, lack of thereof.
Its faaaaaar more important for 3 year old children to be out in the garden, playing, climbing, running, being read to .
Anybody but anybody can become computer literate, it does not take long, why my old nanny is banking online.

FabbyChic · 29/03/2011 13:10

be able to use a computer is a basic skill, at 7 they may well have to use a computer to write their homework, what will you do then allow your 7 (now five year old) to try to master it as you haven't let hm on before.

Children over the age of 11 need their own computers.

TotemPole · 29/03/2011 13:10

I don't see a problem with young children going on the computer. There are plenty of educational web sites out there, so you can combine learning Pc skills with other skills.

The cbeebies sites is good fun for that age.

But likes others say, I wouldn't fuss about the report.

worraliberty · 29/03/2011 13:12

Why wouldn't they feel the need to comment?

They comment on all other things they teach I assume?

IT is as much a part of education now as reading, writing and maths.

Would you feel the same if they'd said your child was more capable in this area of learning?

Sirzy · 29/03/2011 13:13

Why does it have to be running around outside OR computers? What is wrong with a balance and a mix of everything?

Nobody is saying, or even implying, children should spend all day at computers but they are a great educational tool which help get children engaged in the learning they are doing, with a lot of children more than traditional methods do. They are also great to back up those traditional methods.

Most pre school settings I have been in children get one or two twenty min sessions on the computer a week, not a lot really and still plenty of time for everything else.

Sirzy · 29/03/2011 13:14

I don't agree that children over the age of 11 need there own computer, access to one at home is handy I am sure but not there own

Francagoestohollywood · 29/03/2011 13:16

It is going to take the average 7 yr old 10 minutes to master clicking the mouse, come on!
I started using a computer in my 20s and here I am mumsnetting like there is no tomorrow.

It might be the techno age, but there really is no need to leave a 3 yr old in front of a screen, even if it's educational (supposedly)

Flip

1 2 3 4