Your Child & Computers - some
FAQ’s
- Amol Arora
Amol, a software engineer is our tech-xpert and is the
head of the technology division at SHEMROCK
Should I buy a computer for my child ?.. is it a
necessity ? if yes, how should I ?
Wondering whether and how your child can benefit from
this new techno environment ?.. Well the best way to
embark on this journey of taking your child through this
enjoyable techno-journey is buying a computer at home.
Most people shy away from buying thinking that computers
are not a necessity but a luxury. But we are not far
from the day when computers will be an absolute
necessity (a fact everyone accepts). Now just think, way
back in internet history (say 3 years back !!) this hype
and buzz was nowhere to be seen and the way we are
going, you surely wouldn’t want yourself or your child
to be left behind. So call up your neighborhood
assembler or that distant cousin of your friend who
assembles computers. You could even go in for finance of
the computer for as low as 0% rate of finance ( check
out the classifieds in the local newspaper) or you could
go in for a branded computer.
I have a computer at home, how do I introduce my
little one to it ?
Well if you have finished the above step and bought a
computer at home, start by taking your little one and
letting him feel the mo\use and see how the cursor moves
around. You’ll be amazed to see how fast he picks up the
connection between the mouse and cursor. Remember you
should be comfortable with the computer and not paranoid
about the thing and be relaxed, so he feels reassured
about the whole exercise. Now, side by side explain to
him the main parts monitor, keyboard, mouse, and the
computer (or C.P.U. is he is old enough to learn that
with much effort). Let him click the mouse and tell him
that there are two keys ( or three as the case may be ).
If he clicks on anything that makes some properties,
windows or anything weird pop up just carefully put your
hand on the mouse and close the thing so that no damage
is done. Remember to close all your important work that
you were doing on the computer (if!) Never react on
impulse at anything he does, be cool about the whole
thing. An important thing that has to be overcome for
your child to be comfortable is his fear of doing
something that could make the computer go kaboom!..
Encourage him to explore and see what happens on doing
what but it is important to supervise him during all his
initial escapades as we know that this is a complicated
machine and does start behaving strangely for the
slightest of reasons !! Also your child will need you
around whenever a window pops on the slightest click !
I tried to introduce my child to computers but he
seems to be scared, and doesn’t really enjoy it ?
On one hand some children feel very comfortable with the
idea of handling a computer on the other hand some still
don’t get over the fear (computer-illiterate grown ups
grumbling about the new generation idiot box and its
kids doesn’t make matters either !! ) A sure shot way to
get the child to overcome his inhibitions is that his
kindergarten school, where they should be having a
multimedia system. Under the presence of his teacher he
feels assured that there is an expert (how many times
have we heard from older kids you don’t know mama, ma’am
told me to do is this way not your way !!), also having
his friends who fell comfortable with the idea working
and enjoying on the system arises the feeling of not
wanting to be less than anybody (betchya cant do this
kind of thing !! ).
What is multimedia ? how do I choose the right
software for my child ?
Now the first thing your child will start with is
multimedia ( Multi = many, media i.e. a combination of
visuals, sounds, animation etc ) softwares. These are
available at many stores around your city. To choose the
right software requires some thought and imagination.
The market is flooded with them as cheap as Rs. 150 to
some really costly stuff. Being really costly isn’t a
sure sign of quality (mostly it is ) you could go in for
best sellers which you’ll see at most of the shops which
sell software. Looking at the covers does help, see what
kind of screen photos are shown it generally shows the
quality of animation in the CD, after all it has to
attract your little one !! Personally I feel that the
quality of Indian software for children is improving but
still behind the quality of foreign softwares for
children (and the cost is about the same for most). You
could also refer to computer magazines for software
reviews ( e.g. Computers @ home ), checking out foreign
web sites for reviews aren’t much help as most of the
software listed there aren’t available here.
Can my child benefit from the Internet ?
The Internet is creeping into how we live our lives, so
your child is no exception to the winds of changes and
can definitely benefit from the web. There are many cool
websites out there and you could find a lot of resources
for your child( and yourself as well ). Educational
games, coloring books, stories for you to read to him,
info. on this favorite cartoon character.its all there,
just you have to be there with him to look for it !
Supervised usage of the Internet is strongly encouraged,
keep explaining to him the concept of links, point out
the interesting things for him and share his joy and
excitement and joy at having discovered something new !!
..let him also click on hyperlinks, don’t be restless
when he takes all day to click, we know net usage is
costly, but that smile, the glow of his face, and the
glitter in his eyes on reaching somewhere is more
precious than anything ..right ?!!
