My boss wants to start getting his 5 year-old son a little more familiar with computers, and has looked to me (the company PC guru) for suggestions. I (not having much experience with that particular client base) am now looking to fellow Dopers. They already have a repertoire of ‘kiddie’ software, but he’s interested in an actual device separate from their home machine that the kid could eventually use independently.
I’ve seen a bunch of cheap computer-like devices, as well as the more pricey Disney offering, but need some help sorting the cream from the crap. He wants something that would encourage real computer skills, rather than just a boatload of eye-candy. Do any of you have experience with the Disney computers? Any other suggestions, perhaps?
I’d normally suggest a cheapo box with Win98 to learn PCs, but somehow I don’t think that would be suitable for a 5 year-old…
At five, they can easily use a regular PC. My kids (now 7 and 5) started around 2, and were able to type basic words (their name, “MOM”, “DAD”, etc.) way way before they could write. At five, they can use google and do email.
I have no idea what the value would be in having them use a toy PC instead of the real thing.
My father got his first computer when I was 4 or 5. I was allowed to use it anytime he was not. I even learned MS Dos by 7 or 8…Change directory, make directory, exe commands. Helped me get a job even. When I was 18 I applied for a job with Gateway as a computer tech. Because my father started me young I am very comfortable with computers, and I knew the majority of the basics. Got the job with no computer classes at all.
I’ve heard (IIRC old Cnet artical) that you should not stick the kid with a el-cheapo computer, and they should actually get one w/ better performance then their parents. Reasons given were that it keeps them off your computer, they have enough power to run anything, and some other stuff. Games were mentioned but it was a side issue.
I would go to a local small computer store, and see if they have a used Pentium 3 or Athlon box for sale. It should cost $150-$200, and provide plenty of processing power for the kid. You might want to upgrade it a bit - more RAM for example.
Heck, get the kid a Slackware linux distro. He’ll love the opportunity to experiment!
Seriously, though. Nothing special. He won’t need much–if it’s fast enough to surf the web, it’ll be fast enough to play any kiddie games or whatever else he wants. Kids learn way faster than adults with stuff like this.
