I don't see any problem with her having one especially being an Aspie. My son does much better on the computer versus the writing output. Also, in this day and age with technology- she will probably be ahead of the curve starting now.
As far as charging her for it, I see no harm in that. She is saving for it, right? Or, don't charge her and let her use her money to buy some education CD's or some acessories for the laptop.
Well with my dh being in computer service we have computers coming out of our ears. Kyle has had his own computer in his room for a long time, dd got one for her 8th birthday, Kyle is getting a laptop for Chirstmas this yr. Weather 6 is too young, I don't know. We are a more and more technical world. They introduce kids to computers in kindergarten now. I don't think there is much difference in my mind between a PC and a laptop (except they could loose the laptop-prepare yourself for that-I am). When dh said he wanted to give Kyle a laptop for Christmas I agreed because we forsee him using one in school soon. Also he does have a technology obsession and there is no way around that. When we go places like my sister's house or parents there isn't much for him to do. We can only coax him into conversation with the adults for so long (as it would be with any kid his age) and there are no boys for him to play with. So we figured he could bring his laptop along instead of being bored out of his skull.
I do think its great she is saving her money for one. I think that's huge for a 6 yr old. But mine were never savers.
OK, I know I'm completely rambling and probably not helping at all.
As for letting her have one, you can really use it to your advantage. There are tons of educational programs out there and often our Aspie types learn best on computers. Not sure I would even disconnect the internet for it, but rather I would get some software for it to make it safe. We recently got a really good one that not only restricts sites but has a time management component so that they can only use the computer during the hours you set for as long as you set it for.
There are some FANTASTIC educational sites online where you can practice anything from typing programs to math facts to you name it. For typing do a search for Dance Mat Typing and it is a BBC website. Emily is currently learning typing there. If you want any other types of links I have a million between my technology class this year and helping out at school during computers.
I would set perameters around it's use and definitely use it to your advantage but if I had the option of getting cheap laptops my kids would definitely have them (after I got one first for me of course! LOL)
Each of my girls has their own pc and has had one for years. Dad is able to build them fairly cheap. I think it's perfectly okay and right to charge her. No guilt there! If it seems important to her to save for it, allow her that pleasure of feeling important or "big".
(We recently got a really good one that not only restricts sites but has a time management component so that they can only use the computer during the hours you set for as long as you set it for. )
Do you know the name of this software-It would be wonderful for my kids. They do know what get off the computer means.
Only issue is you do have to buy a separate one for each computer you want to use it on. It will only work on one computer it is registered on. It was about $30 which is really reasonable for peace of mind. Each child has thier own log in for the computer and it tracks each one separately.
Dr recommended computer for son. We got a used one from my work. It is great for him, but I am not nearly computer literate as he is. As for internet use, son has lost it twice because of misuse. He gave out information that he should not have. So he has no internet right now.
As far as charging her, I'd take something and then put the money in a bank account.
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I don't see any problem with her having one especially being an Aspie. My son does much better on the computer versus the writing output. Also, in this day and age with technology- she will probably be ahead of the curve starting now.
As far as charging her for it, I see no harm in that. She is saving for it, right? Or, don't charge her and let her use her money to buy some education CD's or some acessories for the laptop.
Well with my dh being in computer service we have computers coming out of our ears. Kyle has had his own computer in his room for a long time, dd got one for her 8th birthday, Kyle is getting a laptop for Chirstmas this yr. Weather 6 is too young, I don't know. We are a more and more technical world. They introduce kids to computers in kindergarten now. I don't think there is much difference in my mind between a PC and a laptop (except they could loose the laptop-prepare yourself for that-I am). When dh said he wanted to give Kyle a laptop for Christmas I agreed because we forsee him using one in school soon. Also he does have a technology obsession and there is no way around that. When we go places like my sister's house or parents there isn't much for him to do. We can only coax him into conversation with the adults for so long (as it would be with any kid his age) and there are no boys for him to play with. So we figured he could bring his laptop along instead of being bored out of his skull.
I do think its great she is saving her money for one. I think that's huge for a 6 yr old. But mine were never savers.
OK, I know I'm completely rambling and probably not helping at all.
Samantha
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Good idea on the bank account for the future.
As for letting her have one, you can really use it to your advantage. There are tons of educational programs out there and often our Aspie types learn best on computers. Not sure I would even disconnect the internet for it, but rather I would get some software for it to make it safe. We recently got a really good one that not only restricts sites but has a time management component so that they can only use the computer during the hours you set for as long as you set it for.
There are some FANTASTIC educational sites online where you can practice anything from typing programs to math facts to you name it. For typing do a search for Dance Mat Typing and it is a BBC website. Emily is currently learning typing there. If you want any other types of links I have a million between my technology class this year and helping out at school during computers.
I would set perameters around it's use and definitely use it to your advantage but if I had the option of getting cheap laptops my kids would definitely have them (after I got one first for me of course! LOL)
Renee
I'm gonna quit posting after Renee, really I am! She takes all my responses!
If I could swing the cost of it, all three of mine (including the 6 1/2 y/o) would have them.
Amy
hehehe, I just have quicker fingers. Entirely too much experience.
Plus can you all tell I am on vacation? I have been spending entirely too much time here in the last week.
Renee
(We recently got a really good one that not only restricts sites but has a time management component so that they can only use the computer during the hours you set for as long as you set it for. )
Do you know the name of this software-It would be wonderful for my kids. They do know what get off the computer means.
KidsWatch Parental Computer Control
Only issue is you do have to buy a separate one for each computer you want to use it on. It will only work on one computer it is registered on. It was about $30 which is really reasonable for peace of mind. Each child has thier own log in for the computer and it tracks each one separately.
Renee
Dr recommended computer for son. We got a used one from my work. It is great for him, but I am not nearly computer literate as he is. As for internet use, son has lost it twice because of misuse. He gave out information that he should not have. So he has no internet
right now.
As far as charging her, I'd take something and then put the money in a bank account.
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