Young Children's Initial Exploration of Computers

This 1-year qualitative study collected observational and interview data on 12 preschool children concerning their initial computer use. Children had the choice to use a computer during center time in their preschool. Findings indicated that initial computer use with a mouse was found to occur at approximately 36 months. Some possible gender differences were noted. Girls tended to use the computer as a shared social activity, while boys tended to use the computer more as a solitary game. Children approached the computer in the same way as they approach puzzles and other fine motor activities. Children were drawn away from the computer by open-ended creative activities. The time that children spent on the computer increased with age, but the time periods were not excessive, from 5 to 20 minutes. Children tended to spend longer at the computer in the presence of an adult. They often assumed a slouch typical of college students in a computer lab. Based on findings, it was recommended that computer use by preschool children be studied more thoroughly before decisions about early computer use are made. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/HTH)