Little people and their computer.

When we remodeled the boys bedroom, there was this great nook that lend itself very well to a desk area. I could see lots of art projects and homework happening here. I also thought, eventually, they would have a computer to work on.
I found this great keyboard and mouse on clearance for 10 dollars, and then this software at Sam's for preschool/kindergarten. I figured I would hook my old computer up, and give it a try.
Zach did very well... and I knew he would because he has a few computers in his classroom. And he's practiced on them at the library... but I didn't see this one coming... Kyle Baer also does very, very well on it! He clicks and types away... and I can hardly believe my eyes.
John and I have decided to keep the boys away from mindless video games, and so we struggled with giving them a computer so early. Some of those games disguise themselves as hand held learning games, but are just precursors to video games. And I know how unpopular I will be to be the moms who let their kids use them- but I must stand my ground on this one.
I just know from our own experiences, that the children we seen with little or no control over their time limits on these games, have had incredible struggles in life. Struggles with school, socialization, and now they interfere with relationships and work habits. While I think there were also other things that contributed to this problem, and not just the lack of supervision... I can't help but point the finger at those games.
John says it a little more simply, "They need to play outside."
Yeah, I agree.
However... I walk into my son's class room and there are three computers. I go to the library and see them all lined up. Computers are part of their future, no matter what.
Ahhh, the struggles of parenting. I know moderation is the key, along with supervision to teach them limits. So for now, the computer is a great 'reward' for them to earn.
Oh the booby traps out here for us poor parents trying to do the right thing.
And a really cute three year old singing his ABC's to the computer doesn't help!