desktop mac games and websites for pre-schooler

Desktop Games And Websites For Pre-Schooler Software Is Still

The Bamboo Captures 5.8-by-3.6-inch multitouch surface and large, easy-to-click buttons make it perfect for young hands.

As any iPhone or iPad owner with children will attest, touchscreen devices are clearly the future of kid-friendly computingtheres no substitute for the direct interaction between on-screen items and fingertips.

Desktop Games And Websites For Pre-Schooler Software Is Still

But a lot of great kid software is still available for the Mac, so until we replace all our Macs with tablets, well have plenty of reasons to set up a computer for the young ones.

Most people worry about finding the right software and configuring the right settings for kid-safe computing.

But what about the hardware Chances are you often see a scene much like the one aboveyour child happily absconding with your laptop to the couch.

But its not the best setupergonomically or logisticallyfor a child.

Here are some tips for setting up a work-and-play-station your kids will love.

A hand-me-down computer, or a Mac mini and any available display, will do.

Although you can share your Mac with your kids, doing so involves quite a bit of logistical maneuveringand not just because of differences in preferred physical setups.

For example, youll need to decide who gets to use the computer when, and youll have to share your Macs hard drive with applications and media you may never use.

If your budget allows, youll appreciate the flexibility of having a dedicated kid computer.

And it doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg: Given that many schools use older hardware, a lot of childrens software runs great on computers that are several years old.

My familys three-year-old Mac mini, equipped with an eight-year-old LCD display, has more than enough horsepower for the educational and creative software our kids enjoy.

The other question is one we all face: desktop or laptop I can tell you from experience that kids love laptops.

From the trackpad to the lack of wires, kids, like adults, are enamored with the freedom a laptop provides.

But I can also tell youagain, from experiencethat kids arent as careful with computers as most adults are.

Laptops get dropped and stepped on, screens get poked and bent back, and food and liquids get spilled, no matter how many rules and warnings the adults in the house may issue.

Its much easier (and cheaper) to clean (or replace) a Mac minis keyboard than to fix a broken laptop.

You may be tempted to use the mouse and keyboard that came with your computer, but those accessories were likely designed for adults.

Kids can really benefit from input devices designed with childrens smaller hands and lack of computing experience in mind.

Although it seems perfectly normal to people whove used one for years, moving an object around on a desk in order to move a cursor on a computer screen isnt especially intuitive.

Ive found that many kids learn basic computer tasks more easily using a trackpad.

Other options include Logitechs 70 Rechargeable Trackpad ( ), a similar accessory that will save you money in battery costs over the long run, and Wacoms 99 Bamboo Capture, which combines the benefits of a trackpad with a traditional pen-input tablet for writing, drawing, and painting.

Desktop Mac Games And Websites For Pre-Schooler