Fine Motor Skills

• Young children develop fine motor skills gradually through a variety of activities. Computer usage calls on these skills. Maneuvering the mouse requires children to practice hand-eye coordination. Selecting a specific key on the keyboard also allows young children to call on their fine motor skills. They must control the finger to press the small key to produce the desired command for the computer.
  
  

Educational Opportunities

• Educational software programs provide supplemental learning opportunities for young children. Numerous options in software programs are available, addressing topics including the alphabet, counting, word structure, science and matching. Online educational games serve as another source of learning for computers with Internet access.
  
  

Typing Skills

• Introducing computers at a young age gives children an advantage in developing typing skills. Frequent use of the computer familiarizes kids with the layout of the keyboard. They recognize the relationship between pushing the key and seeing the letter appear onscreen. Kids also learn about extra keys such as the space bar and shift key. This familiarity improves typing skills that will be useful as they age.
  
  

Research

• Introductory research skills begin at a young age. Simple tasks for finding answers allow young children to practice research using online resources. Assistance from an adult provides the guidance needed for young children to complete research tasks.
  
  

Following Directions

• Computer programs require a set of actions to complete a given task. Whether the students read the directions or hear the directions from an adult, working on a computer requires them to follow directions. A missed step in the process results in an error or an undesired outcome in the computer program. The concept of cause and effect comes into play as well. These skills translate to other areas of a child's life, making the computer a valuable educational tool.