My son loves all the shows on PBS. I usually do too. Although, if we are being totally honest, (which is always a fun thing to be) I can really really REALLY do without Sid the Science Kid. At any rate, PBS is always throwing out the idea to the kiddos to jump on PBSKIDS.ORG. From time to time, I get on the computer with my son and do some of the activities with him. I have found that many of them require decent use of the mouse, which he has yet to master. For that reason, I usually end up helping with each step. Yesterday we played Word World's dog game and Preston laughed out loud every time as the dog would leap into the pile of letters. There are several downloadable coloring pages that I print every now and then as well.
Here's one for you if your child is too young to handle the mouse and you want them to feel like they are doing the game on their own.
Fisherprice.com
Click on Fun & Family Time (on the sidebar)
Click on Fun and Games, Online!
Click Infant, Toddler, or Preschool (I do infant for Keely, who is not quite one year old and toddler for Preston)
Fisherprice.com is great, because it has games where the preschooler, toddler, or baby can actually hit any key and something will happen, so the child does not have to really understand anything in particular to feel like they are in control of the game.
Preston (three years old) likes the top three that pop up: Count the Score, The ABCs Zoo, and The Musical Instrument Game.
Keely likes the Peek-A-Boo Games
Okay, now it's your turn. Are there any websites that you get on and play with your children? Leave us a comment and share with the other mommas. I would love to hear of some others out there that are toddler friendly, if you know of any. I am aware that several moms reading this are saying, "NO! My kid is NOT going to touch the computer!" I know that because I used to feel that way. As with all things in parenting, boundaries must be set. :) It can be fun! If you try it out for the first time, let us know how it goes.
Comments (3)
Alisha,
I think you've raised a great point here in this last paragraph of your post. We are pretty strict with our kids when it comes to the computer. I think we all need to be vigilant in keeping track of what our kids do online. If I can lend some advice to parents out there, though, it would be to go ahead and introduce kids to the computer before they start grade school. I was amazed at how early these kids start using them at school and honestly, I think our oldest had a harder time adjusting because we've really limited her access. (FYI: she was even doing most of her tests on the computer when she hit 3rd grade.) As for recommending websites, we are fans of disneychannel.com. Once you arrive at the site, click on the Playhouse Disney tab for preschool friendly activities. I also frequently get cute forwards from friends that involve animals. (Think "America's Funniest Home Videos") My girls could watch animal videos 24/7 if we let them. Here's a cute link that I got the other day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9sO-Rxr2-E
Posted by Kari | February 25, 2009 2:29 PM
Posted on February 25, 2009 14:29
My kids 2.5 and 9 months both love www.kneebouncers.com. Its fun and Mac can play on his own, and Mya pounds away at keys in my lap.
We don't watch but 2 hours of tv a day and as we have chosen not to have cable, PBS is our channel of choice, but from Super Why - Sesame Street we get our fill.
I do agree, from the first time I saw Sid the Science Kid I just cringed, man that is a really annoying show.
Posted by MacsnMyasMom06 | February 25, 2009 2:59 PM
Posted on February 25, 2009 14:59
Madelin is five and she really enjoys playing webkinz. For those you that are not familiar, you buy a little stuffed animal and with it comes a tag. You go to webkinz.com and enter the number on the tag. You then get a birth certificate and from there you can take care of your pet. You play games to earn kinz cash and then buy them food and things for there room. She really likes it. I must admit some of the games are pretty fun and I will play them with her. She gets really excited because then she has lots of money. She only plays about once a week. Most of the time the computer is off limits, one because she doesn't need to be on it that often, and two because I teach computer courses online so it is my work station and if I am mid project then they are not allowed near the computer. I agree with Kari though. Computers are becoming such an integral part of the classroom. Not that that is a good thing, but it is a reality.
Posted by Mindi | February 26, 2009 11:18 AM
Posted on February 26, 2009 11:18