Kids and Computers

Visit our Kids and Computers Forum and talk with our experts, Cathy Miranker and Alison Elliott. Chat about these topics and more:

• Do you think gender is an issue in kids' software; what's your family's experience?
• What's missing in kids' software; what would you like to see?
• Parents' Grapevine: Ask advice from other parents or share your family's experiences about the best software for different ages and subjects.
• When did you get your child started on the computer; what software worked best?
• How do you and your child use the computer to help with homework?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Won't the computer turn kids into antisocial loners?

  Don't worry! Many of the best titles featured in The Computer Museum Guide invite cooperative problem-solving and shared adventures. Try Travelrama USA (Sanctuary Woods) for an innovative geography game. For non-readers, Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo (Humongous) is a great joint venture. And remember to stay involved; that way, your home computer will never be an electronic baby-sitter.

• My kids seem to know more about computing than I do; any suggestions for getting up to speed?

  One thing you might consider is using your kids' software as a way to get comfortable. Their programs are fun. You can figure them out alone, after your kids are in bed. Or you can let your kids teach you! We know a school principal who gets "lessons" from fifth- and sixth-graders. And we know one grandfather who got started with computers by playing Kid Pix. Then check local libraries or museums; there are lots of computer classes for adult beginners that will make you feel good about catching up with your kids.

• How can I get my video-game playing kids to do something more educational on the computer?

  Happily there are plenty of titles that combine great gameplay with learning. For older kids, simulation software is a fascinating way to experience the (virtual) realities of life as a pioneer or a city planner. And the quests, mysteries and adventures in The Computer Museum Guide's Fun and Games section all require lots of brain power.

• Are there programs kids and parents can use together?

  Using the computer can be a great family activity, and The Computer Museum Guide offers a list of Best programs for kids and parents to play together. Some great "use-'em-together" titles: Kid Pix Studio (Broderbund), any Carmen Sandiego title (also Broderbund), Davidson's Kid Works Deluxe (Davidson), Explorapedia (Microsoft), The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain (Sierra).

• Is newer better?

  Not always. Some fine pieces of software - the Sim series, Oregon Trail, Kid Pix - have been around for years. Good kids' software is in many ways like a good children's book. It has a special, enduring quality that stands the test of time. Smart companies keep good titles up-to-date with new technology.

• It seems like everyone is turning books into CD-ROMs these days; does the transformation always work?

  Be very choosy about storybook software. Some electronic books are so TV-like that kids become passive viewers, not involved readers. But good interactive stories can be a powerful way to connect kids with reading. And that's the kind of software you'll find in The Computer Museum Guide's Stories on Screen section. Always ask yourself: Is this electronic story turning my child into a reader of real books?