Five- and six-year-old children need to understand that computers are valuable equipment that can break if not treated properly. Teach them that the monitor, keyboard, mouse and central processing unit (CPU) unit are not toys, but more like dishes, electronics, TVs and stereo equipment that you have to be more careful around. Set rules regarding food and drink near computer equipment and show your kindergartner how to turn on buttons and handle the equipment with a gentle touch. House rules should also include requiring that an adult be in the room whenever the child is using the computer online. Install child-safe Internet browser software if you are concerned about your children being exposed to adult or inappropriate materials online.
Show and tell the basic parts of the computer: the CPU hard drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and cables interconnecting the pieces. Explain that a computer is an electronic machine like a television, with an on/off switch. Push the button to show a child how to turn on the computer. Let the kindergartner touch all the parts to get comfortable seeing and using them.
Explain that the computer equipment they see is called hardware. The hardware works with programs inside the unit called software. Show the kindergartner your computer's icons or pictures on the main screen, which represent the software programs. Let the child click on the pictures with the mouse to open a program. Tell the child that software programs are similar to human brains that make things work such as being able to write a paper or send email. Bookmark websites you like for your child and set them up as quick icons on the main computer screen. Teach her to click on the icon with a mouse-click to open the website.
Select age-appropriate Internet games or software that involve drawing with the mouse or clicking for choices to develop hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Teach him how to use his index finger on the mouse to practice dragging the cursor on the screen and control the mouse.