Information Technology

Not everyone has a computer at home (and you shouldn't feel pressured into buying one if you can't afford it), so there probably won't be homework in Information Technology. However, IT is important now, and will only get more important in the future, so it is a good idea to help your child understand it if you can.

Without a computer

  • Let your child use an old typewriter so he gets used to using a keyboard. As he gets older, encourage him to touch type or at least use more than two fingers.

  • Encourage your child to use electronic equipment around the home, such as the video recorder, the microwave oven or the stored numbers on the telephone. This will help her understand that equipment can be given direct commands.

  • Later on, help your child to use the programmeable features of these pieces of equipment (such as setting the video machine to record at a later time, or programming the microwave to defrost, pause and then cook).

  • Give your child an electronic toy or game (possibly, but not necessarily, one designed to be educational; or possibly one of the early-learning "children's computers").

  • Find out if your local library has a computer room, and explore what it has to offer.

  • Find out if your child's school runs an after-hours computer club (if it doesn't, perhaps you can suggest it - though you might be expected to help run it, if you do!)

  • If one of your child's friends has a computer, ask if she can share it (you could offer to take the other child out, or to babysit etc in return).

With a Computer

  • Introduce the idea that the computer can be useful as well as fun.

  • Show your child how to use the word processor to write letters and stories. Don't forget to show him how to save, retrieve and print out his work. Later, you can introduce the idea of revising work and proof-reading.

  • Use a drawing package to make pictures and borders to decorate work.

  • Use a simple database to organise information (eg, your child's video collection), and a spreadsheet package to present it in graphs and charts.

  • Don't forget that your child can use the computer to help with homework both by writing stories and reports on it, and to find information in educational CD ROMs and on the internet.

  • Consider getting educational software - don't forget that IT is used across the curriculum, so programmes or multimedia that supports subjects like history, geography, science and design technology can be a good investment.

  • If you have an internet connection, use it to find information using search engines (but take care if your child uses the internet alone - not everything that is available is suitable for children. You might want to consider using a "blocker" programme to limit your child's access to certain web sites or newsgroups, for instance).

  • Perhaps your child could get an email pen-pal (best arranged by your child's school "twinning" with one in another country); but take care that anyone your child e-mails is genuine, especially if they find them from a newsgroup.

  • Don't dismiss games - they can help to develop your child's decision making and problem solving abilities, as well as help her reflexes!

  • Finally, don't let your child spend all his time on the computer. Computers may be fun and useful, but they're no substitute for flesh-and-blood friendships or exploring the real world.

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