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

Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Does your child's preschool have a computer that the kids use as part of their learning?

77 replies

JoshandJamie · 12/04/2007 14:49

And if so, are you happy about it?

The benefits are obviously the development of computer skills early on as pcs are so much part of life these days, but it seems to fly in the face of kids spending too much time in front of screens and not having an active life.

Everything in moderation I suppose, but I just wondered how prevalent computer usage is amongst preschoolers and what people's thoughts on it are.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hana · 27/04/2007 20:41

I really don't htink it's that young, my 5 year old has been using our pc and mac since about 3/4 - obviously beside me when she was younger - there are some great websties for children that age. and now, she can whizz round the cbeebies site on her own, and she and her sister sit there and can play games
they still play outside and we go to the park andn colour and playdough etc etc all the regular stuff
I don't see it as a bad thing

Flumpybumpy · 27/04/2007 20:44

Yes, DD's playgroup have teh computer for learning. DD is 3.9 and is really good on it. So much so she can switch on my computer get onto the internet and then ask me to get cbeebies website up for her to play on.

They have also just satrted French lessons too

FB x

Londonmamma · 27/04/2007 20:50

I have two boys, 10 and 7. They don't do any computing at all at school and are both whizzes on it - self-taught and taught by friends. Boys especially LOVE computers and, if not monitored, can become really obsessed with them to the detriment of other skills and activities. I would be far more impressed by a pre-school that encouraged real activity and creativity than one that put emphasis on computer skills.

PinkChick · 27/04/2007 20:52

my dd's school nursery have their own very flash puter in class and a huge puter room with one for each child!..dd loves it

MrsWho · 27/04/2007 21:54

dds old playschool had one that was wheeled out on special occaisions (well not very often anyway)

school nursery has 2 computers for various free play (restricted time though ) and sometimes use Receptions White board.

ThomCat · 27/04/2007 21:57

Yes they did and they used it now and again to draw & colour in pics etc. Nowt wrong with structured educational use of the computer. They use the PC's in reception so using a mouse and knowing a bit about keyboards etc before they start at school properly is quite handy imo.

climbingwalls · 02/05/2007 07:07

Londonmamma: "I would be far more impressed by a pre-school that encouraged real activity and creativity than one that put emphasis on computer skills".

I don't think any nurseries put an emphasis on learning computer skills over activity and creativity, it is just one thing children can learn to use alongside a multitude of activities and other opportunities for learning.

Computers (and IT equipment in general) have such a wide variety of uses that can complement children's learning. And nursery staff will know how to use them (in theory), decide what programmes to run on them, and monitor children's use of them.

As a nursery teacher if I noticed one child gravitate towards the computer every day I'd make extra effort to encourage them to do other htings and plan some activities that would attract them to participate.

twentypence · 02/05/2007 07:13

I have my old PC on a desk by the side of my work PC and around once every two weeks he plays an educational game (my computer geek brother buys them him). He will play very intently for an hour whilst I do my accounts or write a presentation, and when I have finished I will show him my work and he will show me his.

Very often he will come away from this activity and do a similar (but analogue) activity such as a jigsaw, or making a huge complicated train track. It's like it wires his brain for a short while in another way.

LunarSea · 02/05/2007 08:20

You'd have to look a long way to find a more outdoor focused nursery/preschool than the one ds1 wwnt to - but they had 2 PCs in preschool, and one in the toddler area. And I can hardly complain because I arranged for them to be donated by my company when they were otherwise due to be scrapped (nothing wrong with them, just not the latest business spec). They're not used extensively though, and only for things which support other learning they're doing. I'd worry if too much focus was put on using computers at this age, but as another weapon in the arsenal of teaching resources it's a good thing I'd say.

harpsichordcarrier · 02/05/2007 08:25

yes, there are two. I think it's a great idea. it is used in free play time, but there is a "rota" in case there is a scrap but generally children just flit back and forth
dd1 plays on the computer from time to time at home, sometimes every day but sometimes not for weeks and weeks.

saltnshake · 02/05/2007 08:57

My 3 year old using computer at home and at nursery. 20 mins max. It's the wireless networks at schools that worry me more. Not enough research done to see if they are safe and some teachers reporting sore head etc when it's on.

glassslipper · 02/05/2007 09:03

not at my preschol by my dd (3.2) goes on cbeebies with her dady 3 x a week for about 20 mins. Keyboard and computer skills will be vital when they are older in a way that we nevere had to experience. Also, it is a fun activity which is interactive. I would prefer my dd to be on the pc than watching tv.

stretchmarks · 02/05/2007 09:27

My DS was introduced to the PC when he was 2 by my dad playing on the Thomas the Tank Engine website with him. He is now nearly 4 and does play on the PC on his own at times as he can switch on and get to Cbeebies. They do have a PC at nursery but this is not used much.

I work in educational ICT so it doesn't worry me that he spends time on the PC now it is just one of many activities he does and it is certainly a skill he will need thorughout his schooling as they extent of PC / ICT use throughout education is only set to increase.

colditz · 02/05/2007 09:29

It's as important as learning to read.

Nobody moans about books and that's a sedentary activity.

DimpledUpperArms · 02/05/2007 09:31

I am passionate about computers and the world they open up (supervised of course!) I really feel that they benefit children's learning so DP and I bought a computer for the local preschool as they could not afford one.

Bet you hate me don't you!

NotanOtter · 02/05/2007 09:32

i woulsd actively NOT choose a pre school with a computer

franca70 · 02/05/2007 09:47

I'm not very keen on computers and children

franca70 · 02/05/2007 09:47

sorry, I meant computer for small children

DimpledUpperArms · 02/05/2007 10:27

haha franca - freudian slip!!!!???

franca70 · 02/05/2007 10:32

I'm afraid so !!!!!!

Enid · 02/05/2007 10:35

I feel passionately about computers too. I think people who discourage children from using them are a bit ignorant tbh.

franca70 · 02/05/2007 10:40

I am an ignorant then

Enid · 02/05/2007 10:47

are you scared of them franca

Dimpled · 02/05/2007 10:56

agree enid

Dimpled · 02/05/2007 10:56

actually don't "ignorant" is the wrong word "short-sighted" is beter.

Flip

1 2 3 4