A computer for children: friend or foe?

A computer for children in the modern world is nota wonder, not a miracle overseas. Almost every domestic family has a personal computer, and sometimes not even one. As a rule, it is intended for adults: for work, entertainment, searching for necessary information. However, as soon as the baby begins to crawl, and then walk, the computer gets into the sphere of his interests.

At first the child is interested in the computer only because adults are always doing something for him. Then he begins to understand that the computer isfascinating electronic toy, which is an order of magnitude "steeper" than all available "ordinary" toys. And if the child's enthusiasm for computers is not controlled, then soon he will replace the child not only toys and entertainment, but also family, friends, real communication.

Of course, this can not be allowed. A computer for children can become an enemy, but with the right approach, it can become a good friend. Just rules for using a computer for children should be installed as early as possible and never deviate from them.

In principle, you do not need your own computer for children of preschool age and primary school age. But for adolescents and older students, if funds permit, you can buy a separate PC or laptop - because at this age, children especially want to gain freedom and independence.

From the very first days of using the computer for children, you need to set a time frame. So, for a 3-4-year-old child, the optimal time is 25 minutes, a five-six-year-old child should not be allowed to use the computer for more than 35 minutes a day.

Older children "tear" away from the computer is more difficult, but it needs to be done. You can not allow children of 8-12 years to spend more than 1 hour a day at the computer, adolescents 16 years old - more than 2 hours. At the same time, it is necessary to teach children to perform visual gymnastics every half hour - this will preserve good vision.

Do not allow children to sit at a computer in the dark or be behind him in some "curve" posture -all this leads to violations of children's health. Prolonged exposure to an atypical posture can cause curvature of the spine, and sitting in the dark and driving "nose" on the monitor screen can lead to a decrease in visual acuity.

A computer for children should be installed and positioned so that the child is comfortable with it. For these purposes, a specializedcomputer chair with adjustable height and footrest. The monitor should be installed so that its center is just below the eye level of the child. In this case, the monitor should not "glare" or distort the colors.

A computer for children is dangerous not only and not so much with physical disabilities as with psychological disorders, it's no secret that modern computer games and movies, Internet resources do not contribute to a good psychological upbringing of children.

Check which game is playingcomputer 6-year-old kid is easy - he does it under parental supervision. And the child can not independently install other games or programs on the computer. But what about schoolchildren and older children? How to protect them from violent criminal blockbusters, games-shooters, not children's sites?

Here to help parents come to a special "computer nanny". These programs control the child's access to the computer and to Internet resources. You can install both a complex program and separate filters for sites, time counters, etc.

It should always be possible,that the older child is quite capable of "deceiving" or "hacking" the program - often children are much more "savvy" in these matters. Then it remains only to agree with the child and build relationships on trust.

A computer for children often becomes the only means of entertainment simply because they do not really know how to entertain themselves in a different way: the ball and rope are forgotten, children no longer wear a noisy crowd playing "Cossack robbers" ...

So let us, adults, show the children that the computer is just a machine, even if very clever, but not capable of replacing the real human joy and the warmth of live communication!