Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!ihnp4!poseidon!ech
From: ech@poseidon.UUCP (Edward C Horvath)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Educational Software for 3 year olds
Message-ID: <525@poseidon.UUCP>
Date: 4 Oct 88 14:48:11 GMT
References: <747@atux01.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft, NJ
Lines: 51

In article <222@cvbnet2.UUCP>, pcolby@robbie.prime.com (Peter Colby) writes:
> I am looking for educational software suitable for curious 3 year olds (yes,
> more than one)...[the computer scared him]...

The BONG when the sucker goes on would startle ANYONE who wasn't
expecting it.  

I am convinced that there is no such thing as "educational" software.
There is "drillware," of course, and that can be useful, but kids need --
and can use -- the same tools you do.  My eldest, now nine, uses
FullWrite to compose her plays and short stories.  She needs the spell
checker, thesaurus, cut&paste, and graphic sidebars at least as much
as I do, and she's WRITING.  She -- and my 70-year-old father -- are
using HyperCard to learn Mac programming.

Consider a twenty-minute session with MacPaint.  My daughters have been
using the Mac since it came home (they were 5 and 3 respectively) and my
son has used it since he could crawl over and cajole his way into someone's
lap.  Don't be a chauvinist.  No, I don't "push" my kids, but I had to get
a Mac II for myself so I wouldn't have to fight them for the mouse (surely
the lamest excuse, but what works...).

MacPaint is well within the capability of a three-year-old.  Let your child
turn on the machine (yes, it always bongs) insert a floppy.  Start MacPaint,
play with it a bit, then get out of the way -- make yourself available as
a consultant.  Help with things like eyes (easy with the ellipse tool) and
use the lasso to make the duplicate eye.  Kids master the mouse in under
two minutes, and the first time use the tool palette they snap to the fact
that you have a "toybox" over there -- they'll go explore the palettes on
their own, just to see what each thing does.  The paint bucket is always
a big hit.

Menus are a bit tougher, but even young kids soon recognize the commands
they want -- Print always makes a big impression -- and their natural
curiosity will send them exploring for other "neat stuff."  You can
color the pictures you print out, too.   Or get an "UnderWare" ribbon
and transfer a masterpiece to a T-shirt.  Make a card for Grandma.

Oh, yes: drillware: Typing Tutor is great, and kids like the "space
invaders" game that comes with it.  Buy anything from Great Wave.
I am unimpressed with Reader Rabbit, but the three-year-old likes it.
Think Education's MacEdge II is fun for younger children.

Finally, if you are suspicious of giving kids "adult" tools, go read
Seymour Papert, "Mindstorms," Basic Books, '79.  I think there's a
paperback edition in the stores now.  If it doesn't convince you, it
will at least give you a whole new perspective about what
"education" means.  If you watch your kids as you read it, it will
convince you.

=Ned Horvath=