PeeWee PC to Introduce Kids as Young as 2-3 to Computers
When did you get your first computer? If you are reading this there is no way that it was as early as the two little girls to the right. San Jose, CA based PeeWee PC is aiming to change that with their new line of Windows based laptops for children ranging from the pre-kindergarten age group, through upper elementary school aged kids.
The laptops come in two versions, a pivot laptop for $599 and a standard configured power laptop for $499. Both are billed as spill and drop-resistant, and have a carry handle, a 10-inch display, a 6-cell/5-hr Li-ion battery, 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, two USB 2.0 ports, a 60GB HDD, 1.3 megapixel camera, Ethernet, WiFi, Windows XP Home and a proprietary security software suite. They also come with age-specific software and games, as well as age-appropriate desktop themes. The long and short of it is that these are pretty beefy machines, and they should be for a price that could fetch a nice Netbook.
In reading about these though I have to wonder when is it really appropriate to introduce children to the realities and at a certain level, the responsibilities of fully functional computers? I mean we are not talking leapfrog play machines here. A few testimonials on the PeeWee PC site note that some parents are, and are being advised to introduce their kids to computers as early as the age of two, as in the number after one. I know that most parents are interested in giving their kids as big a head start in life as possible, but as I look past the shelf full of books to my left and the sunny afternoon springtime day winding down out the window behind it, I can't help but wonder whether a little more time being free of the mechanical paradigm built into technology might not be a good thing for kids. I'm no parent though, and if I were I'd probably be too busy rolling around on the floor with my kids to give much thought to questions like this, but as I see those two little girls above sitting at their play kitchen table, in their play kitchen marveling at their all too real computer, I have to wonder.
Anyway, that's just my 2-cents. Those interested in the PeeWee PC can check out the full specs for their two laptops as well as desktop models and other items as well here.
--Tom Milnes
taki on April 30, 2009 at 11:42 PM
I'm a Japanese (male). I just read a book saying that children should contact real objects more instead of digital goods. So I thought about the right time for children to use those devices all day. At the same time, I felt a good point from this article. In short, they really look fun and happy. That's very important. I still continue to explore the best timing.
alice on May 01, 2009 at 01:33 AM
The research is exceedingly clear in every way: this is not developmentally appropriate for children. Don't fool yourself believing those who simply want your money, early tech interferes with human development.
mom in Canada on May 01, 2009 at 05:16 AM
I wholly agree with "alice". It may be OK to allow kids a little "techie time" at this age, but it never should replace real playtime and human interaction, along with the exercise they get playing outside or even indoors. If they were to start at the age of two and get absorbed in these computers, they would be little bowls to jelly by the time they start kindergarten. Isn't that what the problem is now, too many obese kids because of TV and video games?
Craig Scott on May 01, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Not sure if i like this idea. They will be chained to flat screen interface all too soon in their lives. Why push them into it sooner?
Glenn Beeson on May 01, 2009 at 08:13 AM
I built up a used laptop for my then 3 year old grandson and he uses it the same as any other 'toy.' He enjoys listening to music and watching movies though he rarely sits through anything that he starts as he is young and prone to moving on. He is still an active kid and giving him the laptop didn't slow down his outside time or any other activity that he enjoys - he simply uses it when the mood strikes him as he would any other toy.
Suzanne on May 01, 2009 at 01:45 PM
I rather agree with Glenn. We got our first home computer when our youngest was a newborn, our 2nd was 3, and our oldest was 7, and as long as they didn't beat on the mouse, keyboard, or screen, we let them have turns with their kiddy games. Glenn is right. It did not stop them from doing normal kid things like climbing the trees in the back yard, chasing birds, riding bikes, or watching Barney the Dinosaur on TV. We taught them the simple rule to never give their names, schools, or town to anybody their parents hadn't already met personally, and those rules have worked well as they've grown into their teenage years.
Penny Bradford on May 03, 2009 at 01:22 AM
There are studies that would agree with all of us that believe children need more interactions with their loved ones from day one, and before. From a recent article I read, it seems to sum up the importance of human interaction.
In educated families, she said, “Conversations are more varied — what you dream about, what you can imagine, what other people think — more complex thoughts that provide the kinds of stimulation that kids’ brains need.” http://columbian.com/article/20090202/NEWS02/702029976
I think it is very low on the importance scale to have a computer for a toddler or expect a toddler to attend to one for more than 15 minutes at a time, let alone a day. Introduction to the computer and letting a child explore is good as long as you have the language stimuli going on before during and after -person to person. Otherwise it'd be just about as bad as placing them in front of the television.
Besides, the keyboard on these models do not look "chubby finger" friendly.
Samuel -- Texas deer hunting fanatic on June 10, 2009 at 06:42 PM
My kids love their laptop, but i make sure they spend lots of time outside as well.
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