[geeks] Kids and computers...

[Joshua D Boyd]

On Tue, Feb 19, 2002 at 05:37:57PM -0500, s at avoidant.org wrote:

> > Good friends don't let their friends use M$-Winblows.  Good parents
> > don't let their kids use M$-Windoze.  :-)

> I think content comes before principle in this case. If you feel
> differently, that's OK, but watching Nahi learn to type at three years
> old make it OK in my book.

There is squeak.  I know someone else mentioned it.  Under linux, it lacks 3d 
acceleration, but otherwise OK.  Don't know about other free OSs.

The reason I mention it is that there is a lot of work behind squeak from 
the education sector.

In general, among other possible places, take a gander at:
http://www.squeakland.org/

In particular, check out:
http://www.squeakland.org/learn/elementary.html  The stuff specifically 
mentioned on this page would probably be for older kids.

http://www.squeakland.org/author/etoys.html Perhaps this would be appropriate
for young children, although how old did you say Nahi was?  3?  That young
might be a bit of a problem still, although another 2 years, and I would expect
that she could enjoy things like this, at least, I know I would have.

Another squeak thing of interest would be active essays.  
http://www.squeakland.org/author/essays.html  Not enough examples at this page
though.  Try searching the net for other essays to look at.

Now, a few other things.  A old school logo system (or perhaps an updated thing
written by her father) with a perhaps even a real turtle would probably be
fun in the next few years for her.  My understanding (as a non parent who does
have somewhat of an interest in educational things) is that at 3, it is best
to still be emphasizing physical toys rather than computer stuff like video
games.  But, you probably get to much of people saying whats best for your
kids, so I won't pretend to know any more.

Finally, never underestimate writing stuff your self.  Long before I hit grade
school, I was playing education computer games my mom wrote for me in basic, 
and she certainly wasn't a professional programmer by any means.  One of the
professors at my college also writes games for her kids, although she was
once a professional programmer, I think.

-- 
Joshua D. Boyd