Age LO starting going on PC

[bubbakin]

Hi
I'm just curious what age you let your little ones go on the computer. A few friends have recommended a new childs play/story website which is suitable for under 5s but my DS is only 3 & I think this is too young to be playing on the pc. He can't use a mouse or anything & I don't think it's a skill he really needs at this age! Do you agree??
BK x

ds is 3 and goes on the cbeebies website - he likes doing pictures on mister maker. They pick up mouse skills really quickly, they just need practice. His nursery also has a computer for the kids to use.

About 3? they did it at nursery and then at home on Cbeebies website and Bekonscot etc.

Both DS and DD were around 3. Needed a little help at first but both got the hang of it quickly.

3 - DS is coming up to 4 now, and can use a mouse very competently, navigate a website, and play games. We use Cbeebies and PlayhouseDisney with him, and they have a PC and games at nursery

Dd1 started using the pc when she was around 2. She was v quick for her age and v techy. She is 6 now and can use the PC better than DH, which I do think is an important skill. She can google, install programmes (mainly paint ones) and change the background on the desktop and various other things like making signs etc in Works. She helps DH locate and play media files when I am at work.

Dd2 is v young for her age (almost 3) so she just uses it mainly to watch things on iplayer (that I put on for her) but I do encourage her to try games and things on Cbeebies. She just doesn't quite get it yet.

With dd1 I found it to be v usefull for educational games.

I have no problem with little ones as young as 3
mine did
poissonrouge was his first experience of computers
and he did it at nursery as well

DS was starting to play on PC definately by age 3 (along with me of course).

Of course your little one can't use a mouse, you haven't given him the opportunity to try. There is an argument that says it helps to develop motor skills.

DS developed very early reading skills through using the PC (the first words he could actually read were "Loading, please wait" ), and is now a keen and very able reader (aged 10).

You may think it's a skill he doesn't need, but it's a skill that won't hurt him (as long as it's in moderation, of course), offers mental stimulation, something for you to do together, an activity for cold/wet days.

Variety is the spice of life, and I'd recommend looking at Cbeebies site etc as a good activity.

erm.. mine uses cbeebies website and he is not yet 2 so i would have thought 3 is definitely okay. i wouldn't leave them to just get on with it by themselves but sit with them and play the games and that kind of thing, as long as you limit the time it should be fine? i think they start doing ict in nursery and reception these days dont they, so they will need the skill in school. although saying that he would probably pick it up quick in school anyway when they do start him on it, so if you dont feel comfy there is no need to force yourself to put him on it.

My son uses our laptop and he is also 3. We have recently bought him the Gigglebies game which he also plays on at nursery and pre-school. He is already coming on leaps and bounds with mouse skills etc, its amazing how quick they learn.

My DD used a computer from being less than a year old - things like kneebouncers.com. She'd sit on my knee and bash away. Never planned it or anything, just she liked to see what I was up to, and it was easier to put that on for her occasionally.

She was having ago on CBeebies type sites from around 3y I guess.

I read somewhere recently that around 3 is the recommended age and not before as it is feared it may harm other development skills such as speech but as my dd(2.5) never shuts up i will let her use it when she shows any interest.