Should I give my 3 year olds a computer?

[Tara.]

I'm really undecided. My co-teachers aren't much help in this decision. I guess I'd rather not, I have 3 year olds and when they get into the 4 year old room they'll have a computer. I don't really think it's necessary at 3. But the 4 year old teacher thinks I should get one. I dunno.

[Pelios]

Computers can be great learning tools but this kind of technology is not necessary at 3. At 3 kids are developing and should interact with their hands by exploring their world around them and interacting with humans. I think 3 is a little too soon. Maybe if you use it with them to show them pictures and other learning things. But I do admit my little cousins love to use the ipad and they are 4 1/2 but they just use it to draw letters and other preschool apps. If you have control of the computer and they are watching you or watching a video that's ok, maybe I'm just old-fashion.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I think it's far too early for a 3-year old to get its own computer, completely ridiculous. It's fine if it's a "preschool computer", such as the ones where you press a large button and it goes "MOOOO, I'M A COW!", but giving a 3-year old a real computer is ridiculous. It's not going to know how to use it and could even damage it.

[Maverick.]

That is way too young of an age. Even though this is considered the technology era, I would wait until they are at least in their first year of school.

[Fictional]

My family got our first desk-top computor when I was about 3, it was a family computor though. My parents used it to help me learn to read, write, and count, but as far as i can remember, i didn't use the internet or go on it unsupervised. I used to use it to write little stories with my dad, and I made a 'hundred square' on it one time :P

[Fairy Poppins]

I think that if there is already one in the 4 year-old classroom, there's no real need for you to get one as well. They'll move up to the next room quick enough.

[ReluctantPegasister]

I was two or three when my dad set up a program so that I could use the keyboard to turn on the computer and go straight to my MS paint program. But I'm most likely the exception to the rule here.

(it was mentioned below that children could get "addicted" to the computer. I was simply put on a restriction- 30 minutes a day, maximum. This was the rule from age 3 to age 8)

[Le bonheur*]

I would say wait until they move up to the four year old classroom.

[Troubled_Heart]

I don't think you should buy a computer for a 3 year old but it might be good for them to have access to a computer from time to time, even if you take them to the library. It's good for them to have a different method of learning and will help them in the future when using technology. I think when your children start school would be a better time as they will begin learning how to use them then. But I don't think they should get addicted to the computer at that age!
Xxx

[Anatidaephobia]

Personally i don't think a three year old should have a computer. I think that going on it ocassionally can help as there are some educational games but they should spend more time exploring and learning about the world. They'll spend enough time on technology when they're older.

[Cosmo]

Definitely way too early. Don't even need one.

[iHEAVENn]

Personally I don't see the harm in it.

My son is three and a half, he uses my computer to play a website called starfall. and the regular paint program.

It teaches him nursery rhymes, counting, colors, how to find hidden objects etc. Basically all the things he would be learning if he was in a regular preschool or day care...

We have lots of computers in our house, as hubby is a website developer so we let him play with mine when he asks.

As long as they're not on it for hours a day and they get outside and play and interact with people constantly it's fine.

[Maloo]

I would think it'd make a lot more sense to just get a fake one that still teaches them things.

[sassygurlone]

I think it would really just depend on how much they would use it. Personally I wouldn't get a class of three year olds a computer but if they are going to use it for educational purposes it might be okay. You should ask the parents and see what they think.

[Fairy Poppins]

I feel I should point out that I don't think there is any harm in 3 year-olds having computers (so long as they are monitored obviously).

I just think that in Tara's situation, where the children will be able to use one when they move up into the 4 year-old room, there is no real urgency to get one.

[Cosmo]

Worth noting that Wireless networks (WiFi) has been proven to be slightly harmful to very young children under the ages of about 5.

[Soliloquy]

I was first introduced to the computer when I was around three. I played games like JumpStart and Bailey's Book House. Personally, I don't see the real harm in it. It taught me things and was fun. In fact, I think three is a little old to not be exposing kids to computers a little bit.

Maybe if you get a computer, you could limit the kids' access to it and/or make it a special privilege that they need to earn. But I also agree that maybe you should talk to the parents about it. While I think it's important for a child to be exposed to a computer, I'll admit that I never had one in my preschool classrooms.

[Haruhi]

I had 1 computer game at that age, was both educational and fun.

But I mainly used a toy computer, that teaches you various things. It was a lot more entertaining.

3 is a little too young in my opinion. A toy computer would be better.

[Rainbow Dash]

I don't think it's a good idea, they're too young. Maybe one of those pre-school computers would be fine (like this)



as it will teach them what they need to know.

My sister's boyfriend shows his 2-year-old-daughter some youtube videos of spiders (she likes spiders ) but that's all.

I only ever started using PC's when I was about 7 and that was the computer in my living room to play games.

[semiunbalanced]

When I was 4 my dad had this old computer that he built. It wasn't hooked up to the internet and only played games that came on the CD. We weren't allowed much time on the computer and the only games we owned for the computer were Arthur learning games or Winnie the Pooh learning games... stuff like that. xD I still remember those games and my parents said with as many kids that we had running around the house, it helped with my learning a lot. I didn't get my first actual game (Barbie Detective) until I was 6. I guess if you could find something like this I would say it'd be okay. I mean I turned out alright. xD

[dancefever18]

My Mom is a 4-year old teacher and she has a computer in her room because she thinks they should learn how to use it before they get to kindergarden. (sorry if I spelled it wrong!) But she thinks they are too young at the age of three but thats your choice and it depends how you teach at your school.