Computers for kids: 12 tricks to teach them how to use a PC

Tips for getting children to learn to use computers at home or at school.

We live in a highly computerized world, and while those of us who were born in the nineties or earlier lived through a period in which these technologies were not yet widespread, today's children come into the world practically with them under their arms.

They are digital natives, who from the earliest childhood have access to a large number of possibilities derived from the use of new technologies (something that on the one hand has positive effects but also has not so favorable and even dangerous repercussions).

But the truth is that although the use of computers is widespread, even those who are born today need someone to teach them how to use them responsibly: us. That is why, throughout this article we are going to talk about computers for childrenand various tricks or tips from which to help them learn to use a computer.

Some tips for teaching computer science for children

Next we will see some advices to help you to approach the computer science to the childrenso that they can learn how to use a PC. Of course, we must keep in mind that depending on the age, the level of development or even the interests of the child the way and pace of learning can vary greatly.

1. Start with the basics: introduce the computer and the different components.

Perhaps this advice may seem obvious and even stupid, but many people assume that any child already knows and understands directly what a computer is. And just as with adults, there is a great deal of variability when it comes to prior knowledge.

Before moving on to assessing how to use it it is necessary for children to understand what a computer, a mouse, or a keyboard is.. Also what is its utility and what it allows us to do, and basic measures of handling and care of the material (for example not to throw water on it).

2. Use language appropriate for their age and level of understanding.

We must keep in mind that we are talking about children, so their ability to understand technical details and elements will generally be lower than that of a computer literate adult. It is necessary to adjust the type of languageIt may be necessary to use analogies and comparisons with elements that children know from their daily life and gradually integrate the new knowledge.

3. Train them to use the mouse and keyboard.

Something very basic that children should begin to learn in order to be able to successfully use a computer is to use the main instruments that serve to control it: mouse and keyboard.

It must be taken into account that depending on the age at which they are taught to use them, motor control can be more or less motor control can be more or less precise.. In this sense, we can show them how moving the mouse allows us to move the cursor on the screen, and then teach them to click with it. It is possible that this can become, at least at the beginning, a little game for the child.

As far as the keyboard is concerned, knowing how to use it requires first of all understanding the alphabet and showing how each key generates a different letter, symbol or number. It is useful to start with the letters and/or numbers that the child knows, and then gradually expand the use of the rest of the keyboard.

Other key keys to show them are space, Enter and Escape. Keep in mind that learning to use the keyboard is a process that does not take place in one day: we should not saturate the child if we see that he/she is overwhelmed.Although it may seem logical to an adult who is used to using it, for someone who has never used it, it can be quite a challenge.

4. Start using a program

Another of the first steps that someone starting out with computers must master is the concept of a program or application, as well as learning how to open and close it. In this sense, we must first we will have to define the concept and teach the child to look for it in the computer..

Subsequently we have to make them understand that these programs can be opened and closed, and also that what they do can be saved. Little by little we are going to show them these operations and to help them to do them themselves.

5. Encourage drawing with Paint

Many children love to draw. In this sense, programs such as Paint can be very useful to promote and increase the child's ability to apply previous knowledge, while at the same time increase the ability to use the mouse and keyboard.. We can also download an image that the child can follow.

6. Install and use educational games

Learning to use a computer does not have to be tiresome and boring. It may be useful to install different types of games available on the Internet or purchasedoften with themes and characters of series known to them or generated with the purpose of favoring the learning of the use of the computer.

It should be taken into account that there are also educational games that allow children not only to have fun and learn to use the PC but also to increase their level of knowledge or skill in areas such as the detection and tracking of specific stimuli, concentration, precision in motor control or the use of language or mathematics.

7. Use the word processor

One way in which children can learn to use the keyboard and at the same time to handle one of the most common uses we give to a computer is to teach them to to open and use a word processor, such as Microsoft Word or even Notepad..

In this sense, we can suggest that they write their name, a favorite object, color or animal, or tell us how their day went and try to write it down with our help. If he is a little older, we can suggest that he write a letter or a greeting.

8. Explore with them

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice is the fact that the more the children learn about computers, the higher the quality will be the more it will be shared with the reference figure.

Helping them to explore the computer field will not only allow us to show them how to use a computer itself: we are showing them something new and unknown, in such a way that it can become a small adventure while at the same time generating an interaction that allows us to strengthen the interpersonal bond with them. interaction that allows us to strengthen the interpersonal bond with them.. It also allows the child to see how the reference figure interacts with the computer.

9. Establish limits

The computer is a very useful tool, but as we all know it also has its risks and disadvantages. It is necessary to establish limits regarding what can and cannot be done with the computer, as well as how much time they can spend with it. Beyond these limits, it may be necessary to install some kind of parental controls to prevent them from accessing age-inappropriate content or coming into contact with strangers. to prevent them from accessing content inappropriate for their age, or from coming into contact with strangers.

10. Use the Internet

Sooner or later children will have to learn how to use the Internet. In this sense it is necessary to make them understand not only what it is but its potential uses and risks, and it is advisable to have installed some type of filter or parental control that avoids the access to not recommendable websites. To learn how to use it it may be useful to explain what a browser or a search engine is, and to use some of your child's hobbies.and use some of their hobbies to search for them on the Internet.

11. Explain the risks

Another aspect to take into account is the need to explain to children not only the advantages of using new technologies, but also their risks: if they do not know that their use has certain dangers, it will be difficult for them to use strategies to prevent them by themselves. It is not a matter of frightening them, but of making them see that caution must be exercised in the use of new technologies.

12. Make the experience fun

Finally, a fundamental tip for a child to relate positively to computers is to see learning to use them as something desirable, fun and involving positive contact with their peers.

This will encourage the youngster to learnOn the other hand, if we are critical of their abilities or try to force them to learn to do things at a certain pace and in a certain way, it is quite likely that they will end up rejecting not only the use of the computer but also our indications (and warnings) in this regard.

Bibliographical references:

• UNESCO (2006). International Standard Classification of Education. ISBN 92-9189-037-5.