Stretching Your Software to Younger Children

 Classroom tested advice for using older children’s software with your
Preschoolers and Early Readers
 by Neil MacQueen, Sunday Software, www.sundaysoftware.com

The following concepts are discussed IN DETAIL in my book Teaching with Computers in Christian Education. The book also has a section on teaching Middle Schoolers in the lab.

Excerpts...

One of the challenges with stretching your software is that younger classes are more developmentally diverse than older elementary classes.  Some first graders can read, others can’t spell their own name. Some 4 year olds have great mouse control, others have poor eye-hand coordination.  Some have computer experience and can pick up how to navigate a program, while others are quite tentative. If you broadly grade your classes –putting Kindergarteners with 2nd graders, you have an even wider diversity. 2nd graders are better acclimated to being taught and working cooperatively. And half way through the school year, 2nd grade literacy starts to soar. What this means is even if you take all the following advice and load up on younger kids software, you still need to be on your toes in the computer lab when younger children come in.

Observations and Tips on Stretching your software to Younger Children… (abbreviated from the original Training Packet article)

1. There is no substitute for having extra help.  

2. They can’t read, but they do like to be read TO.

3. They can’t type on the keyboard because they can’t spell, but they can type words if you write them plainly on a large piece of paper.

4. They can’t always maneuver the mouse, so put your hand ON TOP OF THEIRS to help guide their hand.

5. Their timing may be off when trying to press a key in a game, but if they have another student help them, they will enjoy it.  

6. Many programs have typing as an activity. Young students might not be able to type much, but they like to try if you point out the keys, and they don't mind dictating their words to any older student who can type for them.  

7. The onscreen discussion question in the software might be over their heads, but only if you read it to them verbatim. Break it down for them as you read it (they can't tell what the words mean anyway), bring out props/dolls/stuffed animals to illustrate points being made in the notes.

8. Recognize that the visual images in the program are word pictures to them. "Read" the pictures... talk about what's in the pictures.

9.  Know when to end the software program. Surprisingly, preschoolers will stick with software longer than most other activities, if they have help.

10. If you have more than one student per computer (and you should) let each student repeat program sections with each of them at the controls. When preschoolers use software, they often want to do exactly what their fellow student JUST did. Repetition isn’t a bad thing!  But it may seem odd to an adult. It will also extend their “time in the software.”

11. Don’t be afraid to use Quiz Programs with younger children. Just make the quiz questions EASIER for them and READ the questions and answers to them. They will enjoy knowing they are “ahead” or “got it right” even though they can’t read a thing.

Tip: Give preschoolers and Kindergarteners only two possible answers instead of four in a multiple choice quiz game like Fall of Jericho CD. Give them true or false questions too.

 12. Save files often when using a program like Kid Pix 3 in which the children are creating their own materials.

13. Keep a pack of monitor screen wipes in the lab. Let them touch the screen to point out who's who in the picture.

14. Remember to pass along your insights, successes and failures to fellow teachers.

<>< Neil MacQueen, 1‑800‑678‑1948, Sunday Software, Copyright 2006. Permission to copy for local church use.