My 3 year old is already telling me how to use "HER" sofware! and my 15
month old plays a lot with my test equipment (there are more buttons).
I got my daughter started on a VIC20 then she moved to a PC (she loved maing
it beep).
Gotta find a list for Kids and computer learning :)
-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Christopher Finney <aaron_at_orr.wfi-inc.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, February 01, 1998 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: C-64c probs
>I have two little ones, 2 /12 years and 15 months, and I try to get them as
involved with this stuff as possible. My older guy loves to help me clean
and restore the systems, as well as play games and simple learning progs (I
have to admit that he's not turning out to be normal, he's got quite a knack
for the stuff already). I wrote a nice program for the younger guy for the
Atari 8, it divides the keyboard into 4 sections and a different
colour/sound part executes depending on which quadrant he touches. He's
already learned to be gentle with the keybards, so nothing gets hurt and
he's learning how to use a computer! My older son learned the same way, and
I just gradually made more sections of the keyboard until now he can type
any letter or number on the keyboard (we're working on the other
characters).
>
>Why all this rambling? And what does it have to do with classic computers?
Well, my dad had his hobbies that were "adult stuff" and I was excluded
(collecting old rifles). Older computers are a fun hobby for me, but are
also something that lets me invest time with my kids and teaches them skills
that will give them an advantage in life. Older computers, especially the
ones that are so plentiful and inexpensive right now (C64's, Ataris, etc)
are perfect for teaching them this stuff. I admit that I would be a little
nervous about leaving my new Dell laptop on the floor for them to play with,
but what can they do to an 800XL? And even if they manage to break it
somehow, what is $25 when compared to what they're learning? So don't just
try to divert them with a junk keyboard, put some time into helping them
learn to use the stuff too. Believe me, 15 months is *not* too young, and it
will save you a lot of yelling and frustration when they're terrible two!
>
>Aaron
Received on Sun Feb 01 1998 - 15:41:45 GMT