December 11, 2007
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Conor’s Christmas Present
I thought I would share this since I know there are some other parents who sometimes come here, and I think that you might find this information interesting! Maybe I am just out of the loop, but to my knowledge all the computer-related games and software for children kind of limited use of the computer to somewhat older children (ages 4 or so at least, since they have to learn to use a mouse and the like). There are toddler toys and even TV console systems for little ones out, but I wondered- ‘Why don’t they make some kind of device for the computer that babies and toddlers can easily use instead of a complex mouse or keyboard?’
Conor’s own computer time
Well, not only did I find it, but Conor’s Nana (my Mom) is getting it for him for Christmas. We’d not be able to afford it ourselves for some time, and it’s really exciting. It is a special ‘baby keyboard’ for a Windows-based computer that comes with a ‘first steps’ program/game that works with the keyboard. You can buy (for under $20 each) new CDs for future stages- all compatible with that keyboard- to allow the baby/toddler/preschooler to grow with the software. It’s for ages 1-5… and the idea is that by the time they reach the end at age 5, they’d be ready for a ‘real’ mouse and keyboard.
I think Conor will LOVE it. And once he gets used to using the computer (sitting still long enough, for example, and not trying to knock things about) its designed such that parent’s don’t have to supervise/guide use of it. We’ll be there the whole time, but it’s quite neat to think that he might be able to get to the point where he’s using the computer on his own.
I can say “Conor, you were using the computer since before you could even talk!”
Interested?
Well, if you’d like to know more about it for yourself or family/friends, I found it at a very good price with very good descriptions and details here: http://www.rmlearning.com/BabyKeyboard.htm . It looks very well designed and I think it will really help even to give us ideas as to how to continue to teach Conor. Now that computers are so advanced and can use speach, music, cartoon-level graphics, etc… there’s no end to the world of use they could be in teaching a toddler to talk, learn, think critically, etc.
Most importantly, it’s making use of what you might already have!
Side note- Not sure about you or your friends with toddlers, but we have TWO computers fully equipped with good monitors, speakers, and they both can handle simple software like this. Why buy a whole new game system or use a television set (note- ALL computer monitors bought within the last four to six years produce HIGHER QUALITY than any television set that is not HD. Most computer monitors, especially LCDs, have had the potential to provide higher quality images than HDTV for some time now).
Conclusion
I can’t think of a better Christmas present for him! So Nana got him the initial keyboard and what comes with it, as well as the “My Home” add-on package. If there are any relatives out there reading this who want to get Conor something, there are other add-on packages that I’m sure will be fun to introduce him to (though you’d better coordinate with us, so that he doesn’t get more than one of the same thing
).-Patrick