Computers For Kids. What Age Is Best ... ?  

Based on experience kids are never too young to use a computer if they can handle the mouse well. I started my kids on real computers as young as 4 years old. That was the time I had a computer at home in 1997. The home computer I brought home from the UK broke down so I had no computer at home until that year.

My children approached computers like ducks to water. Initially they needed to be guided but later on they managed to navigate their way without much guidance. As for the eyes they can be taught and monitored. I did not find it too much of a problem.

My conclusion is 4 may be too young for certain children but 5 should be fine.

all the best,
rosdimy

The schools are starting children using computers in preschool. It is imparative that the children start learning to use the computer as early as possible. If you're worried about her eyesight, limit the amount of time on the computer and have long breaks between use. But, with a 4 year old, they will limit themselves by their attention span.

Your daughter can learn so much on the computer at this age, from reading, math, other languages and more. Her mind is a sponge right now and it would be wonderful for her to start absorbing before she starts school. In California, children are expected to be able to read before they start Kindergarten. So, it would be practical for her to start on the computer and start with the fun children's learning programs. To start, should supervise until she is comfortable and familiar with how to use it.

The kids' brain are like sponge. They can grasp new things easily and their memory retention is very high. That could be an appropriate age 4 or 5, and yes it should be something that is child appropriate, just the basics, like alphabet, numbers, basic word and math and drawings. I bought my daughter with a thing like that when she's around that age and it helped her a lot. I'd be more concerned about the discipline in the use of the computer, like how much time should a child use it because it would be a problem later on. So if you allow her to use it for an hour or two only, be consistent. Btw, welcome to my Lot!

Both my children started on the computer when they where very young like around 2. We had educational games appropriate for their age. My son is now 9 and has a very high IQ and some areas is considered genious. My daughter is 6 and is ahead of all the other students in math and reading and amazes her teacher when they have computer lab. I agree that monitoring your childs access to the computer is very important but if she is interested let her roll with it. You will be surprised at how fast she will learn.

My son is 2 years old now. He can open our laptop by himself now but do not know how to play the songs in flash. He shows much interest on computer and every night he'll ask us to watch cartoon or songs in flash type.
He does not like to watch TV or books. I'm afraid that too much time with computer will be harmful to his eyes. Recently we buy him electromotion toys in order to attract him from computer.
In fact I do not agree so little childen to play with computer.

My eldest grandson could go into the dos and adjust a game program at the age of 5 so we all had to password our important programs. My youngest grandson started using his mums lap top at 3. The earlier the better I say

I personally think it is a nice idea. As a matter of fact I let my son play around a little with my computer and also the mouse. He wears glasses. But he has needed glasses for years now.
I can't see there being much harm in a computer for your daughter. She can play games along with getting some helpful education. To help that her eyes don't become to stressed or tired or would just recommend letting her eyes rest every twenty minutes or so for them to adjust properly.
You could also ask a doctor about his own suggestions for this.

let them learn the basics at the age of 4... it will be helpful for them, but make some limitations like no. of hours or minutes a day, or just on weekends. Let them focus on educational sites where they would learn a lot. Avoid sites not suitable for children.

My son started at about 2 1/2 by the time he was 4, he new how to navigate through subdirectories and knew basic computer commands. Unfortunately windows came and DOS pretty much went away or he would have been an expert by now.