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- Age: 3.5
- Tech Level: Educational gaming systems
- Several portable educational gaming systems offer well-designed games for ages 3-8, including Leapster, V.Smile and the Tag Reading System.
Preschool
Preschoolers learn that a mouse movement can trigger a screen event. They're adept enough with fine motor skills (for pointing and clicking), and they can use a Wii game controller or a Nintendo DS touch screen.
Age: 2.7
Tech Level: Computer mouse Children now have the combination of cognitive and fine motor skills required to understand that their hand movement is associated with screen events. They can also start to coordinate clicks with events.
Age: 3
Tech Level: First online experience Because they can point and click with a mouse, children can start a computer and a browser, although it helps to bookmark pre-selected sites such as PBSKids.org, www.starfall.com or www.noggin.com.
Age: 3 1/2
Tech Level: Educational gaming systems There are several portable educational gaming systems to choose from offering well-designed games for the 3-8 age range, including the Leapster (with a touch screen), V.Smile, and the Tag Reading System. These put computing in a playful, toy-like form.
Age: 3.8
Toy digital camera, MP3 players There are several varieties of digital cameras designed specifically for preschoolers. These let children take "real" pictures, listen to "real" music, and watch "real" movies.
Age: 4
Tech Level: Video game Thanks to the Wii's innovative motion-based controls, there are more well-designed games that preschoolers can use. The Nintendo DS touch screen is another option.
