A computer activity center was established in a preschool in order to investigate the effect of the introduction and use of microcomputers on the environment and to assess the appropriateness of computers as tools for the preschool. The center consisted of one 16K Atari 400 computer, a black and white television, a cassette memory storage device,…

Eighty-eight sets of parents who enrolled their 4- and 5-year-old children in computer classes completed a questionnaire designed to gather demographic data and information about their reasons for enrolling the children and their attitudes about the importance of computer competence. Parents could check one of three reasons for enrolling their…

Describes set-up, user characteristics, goals, and successes of neighborhood computer centers where informal microcomputer instruction is presented. Centers described include East Harlem's Playing to Win; Center for the Development of Non-Formal Education in Austin, Texas; a learning center in New York City's business district; and Family…

Argues that, while software for preschoolers does not use the potential of the computer as effectively as it might, observations with children using the LOGO language with simplified graphics suggest gains may be made in the areas of cognitive development, problem solving, creativity, and social and language skills. (Author/KS)

Although problems exist in using microcomputers with young children, there are many reasons teachers should encourage the use of microcomputers in early childhood classrooms. Teachers with only one microcomputer can employ the computer as a learning center to be used independently by two children at a time. Using computers in early childhood…

Advocating preschool children's introduction to microcomputers, this document describes the advantages of computer learning for the child, academic skills that can be taught, results of an experiment that field tested microcomputers in a nursery school, and guidelines for parents to use when selecting software for their children. An introductory…

Describes study that was conducted to determine whether four- and five-year-old preschoolers could be taught reading skills with computer-assisted instruction, and whether they could learn basic computer literacy skills without direct instruction and drill. Software is described, and the pretest/posttest single group design is explained. (16…