Does your toddler play on the computer/internet?

[mezzer]

My dd is 20mo and I don't let her play on the computer at all.

Should I? Do you?

I am a very bad mother. My 4 year (not a toddler anymore ) is addicted to games on the computer, Cbeebies, cbbc and Nick Junior.. It keeps him entertained for hours. (I do other things with him too, honest)- He doesn't watch any TV though so suppose that's a benefit and the computer is in the front room so I can keep an eye on him.

DD used to (and still does) - it hasn't distracted her from reading and writing!!!!

DS doesn't mainly because I can't be arsed to set up the keyboard thingy and fight DD off of it for him to play alone.

yes my DD started to go on the computer to play yellow Cbeebies stuff when she turned 2..she goes on it now and again..when i remember!!! (she is nearly 3 now)

I think if they're 3 or 4 its fine - any younger maybe not such a great idea. I don't just let my dds alone on it, I sit with them and we do stuff together and have a giggle. Dd1 has just started reception and they use them all the time. She is learning to read and has been able to write a lot of words since she was 3.5 so I'm not worried about computer use stifling the other skills she needs.

Yes, DS has been allowed on the computer since he was about 10 months (when we discovered the wonderful kneebouncers.com).
Only problem is that now, at 22 months, he will come and stand beside me when I'm on MN and say, in a voice that rises in that way only a toddler's can " Mum Mum, ME, CHOO CHOO"

the only things we do is to sing along with the nursery rhymns and story times on Yellow c-beebies

Ah, I was starting to think that I was the only one. At least I know I'm not alone.

I haven't decided whether or not to give it a go but I'm leaning towards no. Something tells me it could turn into a nightmare. I'm trying to teach her how to share but not su sure I'm willing to share my computer myself...

Agree toddler is a bit young. I think DS started when he was 3 with poissonrouge.com.
DD is 2.9 and enjoys watching him and telling what colours to use etc but not bothered about using the mouse.
Does your DD show an interest in the computer?

She definitely shows an interest. Bangs away at the keyboard (with one-fingered action ta-boot)if left unattended. Part of my reasons for not wanting to get her started as it's my work computer.

to be honest, I'm pretty sure she will LOVE it but may have to wait until we get another computer so I'm not hovering over her with a paranoid look on my face. Mother bear is very protective of both dd AND the laptop-baby.

No. Agree with Roisin and Rhubarb (depending on whether Rhubarb's being sarcastic). Would rather my children learnt traditional reading, drawing, did outdoor stuff etc.

Am just letting 7 and 6yo use it a bit now but still only rarely. And I'm totally convinced that they won't be hampered in life one bit by not spending their childhood on the computer. DP is a computer geek, the house is swimming in technology, they'll pick it up one day. soon enough.

nope, I wont share

and fennel, your dp is a computer geek despite not having been around a pc from a very young age I suppose... (unless your dp is 20... )

Franca, I was agreeing with you too in my last post, by the way. Just didn't see your post til after.

dd2's report does mention her "excellent mouse skills" despite me not letting her practise this crucial 21st century life skill.

. I think my mouse skills are far from being excellent...

can I put excellent mouses skills on my CV?

Yes DD uses the computer. BUT not exclusively. Just because a child might use a computer early one doesn't exclude all over activities and traditional play. It just adds something else to the list of things to do. Lots to learn from the computer, just as there is lots to learn in books, on TV, by listening to music, playing with other children, do sport, imaginitive play, etc.....

I do find the whole anti-technology for little ones quite odd at times. Especially on a website!!!

And DD started using the computer and having ICT lessons at school from reception age, so 4yo.

I am a bit of a technophobe, yes, I find, for instance, incredibly difficult to retain information that I get from a website. But this is not the only reason why I can't see the need to introduce a 2 yrs old to the computer. I have the impression that nowadays there is a tendency to start children doing an immense variety of things at a very young age. Swimming lessons at 2, skying, reading, acting, you name it. I'm just resisting this tendency. Something can be left for when they are a bit older. The computer is one of those things at the franca's. But I'm hoping to take them skying soon.

My DCs started when they were 3 or 4 - now at 6/8 they can sometimes put me to shame with their computer skills. But neither spends an excessive amount of time on PC - it's a part of their life, not the main thing in it, and they are both very active and sporty so I don't feel the early start did them any harm. Technology is everywhere nowadays and I think it's good for them to show an interest as it will undoubtedly play an important part in their future.