Today computing has taken over literally ever aspect of the world. From banking to education to vacation planning, the use of a computer is commonplace. The need to have at least rudimentary computer skills can't be overstated.
With so much of our society dependent upon the computer and the knowledge of computer methods nearly a requirement in the world, learning something about computers is imperative for every child.
The younger that children are when they begin to use a computer, the more likely they will be to be well able to understand them and become proficient in their use.
Younger children who are started in computers earlier in life have a marked advantage in society today. They are more easily adaptable to new situations at an earlier age and therefore tend to learn the computer more fully and completely according to statistics.1
In fact, according to statistics by Stanford University, children who are home schooled or who use computers to learn in situations where they are not well challenged by school have a better chance of becoming proficient in computers as well as other subjects.
Pure video content, according to Princeton University, is not overly helpful and games tend to enhance some areas while not others. Specifically designed content for children to enhance learning has mixed reviews, but allowing a child the use of a computer tends to help them to advance more rapidly. "Although one study reported a negative association between video game use and academic achievement in adolescents, others report a positive association between achievement and computer and Internet use at home.
. . .computers and Internet are positively linked with achievement, but additional research is needed to systematically investigate this potential difference in outcome."
The reality seems to be that children of all ages tend to learn faster on the computer and that computers, as a wave of the future, are something which every child needs to know and to understand. They enhance learning in many controlled situations and indeed seem to enhance learning even when used at home in just a "surfing the internet" situation.
The younger the exposure for the child, the more they seemed to gain and to advance. This was true whether in school or at home use was encouraged. It does stand to reason though that children who are given a computer at home or at school to enhance their learning must be taught proper use of the computer as a tool, as well as being taught safety considerations.
1. Stanford University Study Shows Computers Help Children Learn Faster http://gitssmart.com/articles/stanford-university-study-shows-computers-help-children-learn-faster/
