computer for a 6 year old?

[tiredemma]

Yesterday I went to Ds1's school for a maths workshop, tbh, i was amazed at not the technology that was on offer, but his ability to actually use a computer. My computer at home is a laptop and there is no way i would let him anywhere near it ( in dont even let dp go on it)

so now we are considering purchasing a computer for him, to have to work on maths spelling etc, and one last will last him a few years.

we dont want to go mad, but equally want something that is reliable.

any suggestions? or does anybody think its too young?

I think 6 is fine - we have a macmini for our 6 and 4 yr old, but in hindsight don't buy a mac as you can't get a lot of kids software for it - someone please tell me where I can if you can

4 yr old id v good on teh computer even though he can't read

If you have the spare money and the space then I see no problems. My DD is nearly 4yo and has her own laptop. It is one from DH's work which they gave me otoo use temporarily when we moved. The broadband doesn't work on it and it is no longer connected to the internet or anything. I have put all the settings to big fonts, and the double click setting slower, and she has all her games on there, her photos and videos, Word and Paint. She knows how to turn it on and off herself and how to get everything going - probably better than DH, LOL! She loves it.

You can et some good desk top deals from loads of computer shops now, especially if you only want something basic.

DD has just turned 5, and I regularly let her play on my computer. We visit children's websites, and she plays games.

I got a new laptop this past summer, and have given her my old laptop (purchased in 2000, so a dinosaur in tech years). It has no internet access, but she can play cd-roms from time to time. So no, I don't think 6 is too young.

When are you due a new computer? You could do as I did, and pass along the old one to your son....

I also give DD internet access via my computer, with my supervision.

thanks!! 4 yr olds with pc's!!!

think we will get him one, he uses them with confidence at school, cant see why he would be any different at home.

i only bought my laptop last year, so not due an upgrade yet.

i will allow internet access, with my supervision obviously, but i think that the bbc site has excellent kids learning games on.

My ds has had his own computer for ages (he's 5) because he kept messing about with his older sister's. It only cost £30 but works fine on our wireless network.

Ds loves the cbeebies site. I've tried to get him interested in watching 'Something Special'on tv as he has asd and sld and is non-verbal. He refused to stay in the room but I found him later on the Something Special part of the cbeebies site, whizzing through all the games!

my children 9 + 7 both have computers in their rooms... they are old compaq (sp) ones that have no internet access.. but they are able to play educational games on them.. word... ect
you can pick up cd roms really cheaply...
have you looked in the ads in the local paper??

MY DD amazes me from the age of 5 she can switch on the computer, go on aol, minimise that and open an internet explorer page and go on the CBeebies website in about 2mins.

DS at the age of 8 managed to set up a website with multiple webpages after I helped him to set up his own one, (he decided his teddy wanted one too ).

I have the computer set up in the living room so I can see exactly what they are doing. I have it all set so they can't see anything they shouldn't but I keep a very close eye as it is amazing what pops up in a google search.

Thats the only thing about kids using the net you have to keep up with the technology yourself so you can protect them.

DS has also his own computer, he can operate the mouse and move within a DVD without problems since he was 2.5. He's very careful with the computer, I don't mind him using mine as long as I have all my documents closed. DS got his own computer because we upgraded to a better one, but TBH they don't have to be playing with it all day long so maybe you can really share yours

Ds has my old one when I bought myself a work one. They are side by side and we do our "work" together. He learns to spell with Winnie the Pooh and I do my accounts or update my internet site. Brilliant!

We've just upgraded to a new computer so have put the old one in 4 year old DS room. It has no internet access but he's happy using CD ROMS and messing around with paint and MS Works. I'm not sure I would have bought him one a new one though as he always forgets to close down properly and has already scratched the monitor.

I wouldn't go for anything too basic as you'll probably want it to last him at least 3 years, by which time he'll be wanting to play up to date games and it won't cope. Or on the other hand you could buy sencond hand or a really cheap new one which could tide him over until you're ready for an upgrade and can pass on your laptop.

Our old laptop was driving us crazy (slow, used to freeze up on MN especially ) so we just bought a new computer & laptop will go into DS's room soon.

We are putting Win98 on it because he has games that do work on Win98 but don't work on XP/Windows 2000 (!!!). It won't be Internet connected, although it might be later on (we'll get Net Nanny and only allow named sites for access).

As for specs, Laptop has 380 MB RAM and is a P3-500 Mhz.