The Computer for Children Project

On a very practical level, everyone should know the basics of how a computer works. At the very least, this helps you to better describe a problem when you are trying to get help for your computer from some more knowledgable, impatient techie. (I know, I used to be one.)

But that is just one advantage. When your child understands how the hardware works, he or she understands the limitation or problems with software and can fix problems. He or she is a better consumer when your family needs to upgrade parts or buy software. Understanding the hardware can even expand your child possibilities for interesting and lucrative summer jobs or businesses.

What They Need To Know. The basic parts of a computer (monitor, tower, keyboard, mouse, etc.), the basic systems of a computer (memory, processor, power, etc.), how the basic systems work together.

Why in the world should a child learn to use a spreadsheet?

Why should they learn to use calculators? Or a phone? Or a fork and knife? (OK, that’s my son’s argument.)

We use tools to make life easier. The spreadsheet, simply, is a tool, like a calculator or a ruler. As our children get more and more into computing, I feel very strongly about them learning how to use different computing tools, more than just learning how to insert a CD or surf the Internet.

Spreadsheets are about math and doing computations–but don’t freak! Come on back and sit down. Math is your friend–really, it likes you.

Seriously, many children and adults back away from math as fast as they can and there are many reasons for math anxiety, enough for a 100 more hubs. However, those of us with kids or who teach them know, a child picks up information if it is fun.

Introducing children to spreadsheets can be, stay with me, a low-key, entertaining way to play with numbers. And this kind of play increases your child’s comfort with spreadsheets and math. Try it out. I have found that a lot of kids find it fun to manipulate numbers and formulas, see what will happen if they do this or that, and get excited when they discover combinations and patterns. As long as it is low-key, no-stress, no-deadline play.

Third grade and up is a completely appropriate time to start you child investigating a spreadsheet. Children at this age usually have the basic concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, enough to work with spreadsheets. Even if you only know the very basics of using a spreadsheet, that’s enough to start to show your kid the basics.