This information will help educators plan computer activities and design an appropriate computer environment for young children. Factors which contribute to engagement include developmentally appropriate software, input device, teacher facilitation, level of play, age, and integrated activities. The first two factors, developmentally appropriate software and input device, will be discussed here, while the other factors will be addressed in a later issue. Developmentally Appropriate Software Software which is open-ended, exploratory in nature, and allows children choices and control is considered to be developmentally appropriate for young children. A direct relationship has been found between the kind of software children use and their engagement in the activities.
Educational outcomes are also related to software type.
The children were able to use the computer to manipulate and explore. When developmentally appropriate graphics programs were used, all of the preschool children, regardless of age or sex, were motivated to create symbolic representations. The software offered flexibility and control, and made learning concepts more concrete and meaningful, all characteristics of developmentally appropriate software. Some programs, such as word processing, give children the support they need to be independent. Those who used programs with substantial amounts of scaffolding had increases in word knowledge, whereas those with minimal assistance or no software had lower levels of cognitive increases.