Computers for toddlers

[legalalien]

I haven't really let DS go mad on the computer yet,but guess it's about time I gave him a go - any ideas re whether a good idea to get some sort of toddler keyboard / mouse / where I might go about getting that sort of thing? Not really fussed about software as I figure there's plenty on the www....................

no let him loose on your keyboard/mouse. In DS playgroup they have normal size as well. Just show him how to click and move, also where the arrows are and he'll be off.

I'd just let him use yours

I looked into toddler friendly computeraccesories but found them over priced. In the end DD just used the normal ones and was fine.

kneebouncers.com is a good first website - just required the keyboard to be hit to get a reaction on screen.

ok - will do - just that his hands are a bit small, and the mouse is a bit sensitive. Might see whether I can "borrow" one of outdated / clunky ones from the office!

Message withdrawn

We've got a minimouse that dd loves. Dh got it - from PC world I think. I think it's actually for laptops - not toddlers! Dd (26 mo) loves 'her mouse'. Jill

I bought a small mouse from ebay for £1.99 + £2 P&P, and it works fine.

We got a laptop one, which DD1 found much easier to manipulate. I think she was about 3 at the time. We all use it now and it does the job for everyone.

legalalien, to decrease the sensitivity of your mouse in windows XP do the following.

Click start
Choose Control Panel on the right
Switch to classic view (left pane) and open the mouse dialog.

Now, on the first page here you can increase the amount of time it takes between clicks for a double click, and under the pointer settings tab you can decrease the pointer speed, which lowers sensitivity. Also, you can do things like add mouse trails so he finds the pointer easier to see.

Click apply, and then ok to save changes. Just repeat the process later to switch them back to settings you find more comfortable.

If you use the computer for work, make sure you have everything backed up as you don't want to find that your DS has deleted something important by accident!

LOL - he's already deleted plenty of DH's "work in progress" efforts by the simple expedient of hitting the large, shiny, off button.. "don't do work daddy, play with me...."