Teaching a child to use a mouse

Mrs_pbradley936

Are there any toy computers out there designed for teaching a child to use a mouse? I am reluctant to let a 4 year old have access to my real computers yet.

Thanks

mj12_2

Probably, but i expect a basic wired mouse these days probably costs less than a toy computer.

WLM21

Download the excellent graphics program Paint.net from :

http://www.getpaint.net/

Then the child can be drawing lines all over the screen, while getting the hang of it ... that's what I do now:D

Hammyman

Seconded. Create an account for your child and set it as a Standard account. That way there's no damage they can do.

Anubis_2

I agree, let them use your computer with supervision and a limited account. Tux paint is also good, as well as websites directed at 4 yr olds. CBeebies games here which will all probably help in mouse control and learning at the same time http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/games/

BRSurvivor

We've just started letting our 3 year old play - er, learn, on the PC.

I searched for a long time to find something really suitable to enable him to learn mouse control. In the end, I found a programme called KidsMouse which has a number of different activities - I started him on the memory game matching pairs of animals. There is a free version called KidsMouse mini, and the bigger shareware version cost £9.49.

I also downloaded a free programme called BigMouse which basically allows you to create a huge mouse pointer.

I created a user account for him on the PC, and on his user set the mouse to move really slowly so it's much easier for him to learn.

I've been very impressed with how quickly he's learnt to do the matching game, and then taught himself to get in and out of the other games.

Kel_1981

I just sit my little girl in front of me (she's five) and ask her what she wants to see. She finds cats to be very funny so I click on youtube and tell her to type it in, then she clicks on any related videos after, she 'got' the mouse very quickly and had no problem.

gonzo127

yep i let my 3 year old loose on my computer and shes fine

nick jr
disney jr
cbeebies

all good websites for her, although if you are overly worried why not set up a Linux bootable USB stick just for her

Mista_C

My MIL uses Magic Desktop when my kids want to use her laptop http://www.magicdesktop.com/en/

It sits on top of the Windows Desktop and gives the kids a restricted GUI that requires a password to leave. You can setup any programs you want them to use as icons on their Desktop. They offer a decent length free trial on the site and the full Basic package works out to about £25.

There's also this http://www.enablingtechnology.net/my-kids-mini-keyboard--mouse-176-p.asp

I bought one of these for my son and it was brilliant. OK, I could've just got one of those portable laptop mini-mice but this includes a keyboard and is about 2/3rds the size of a normal keyboard and mouse. It was just right for his 4 yr old hands.

R-o-b-b-i-e

Crayola do a kids keyboard & mouse set, for around £15.

Also, touch screens:

VTech MobiGo

or

iPod Touch for kids