A printer icon offers a 'print' choice and an 'erase' or 'unerase' option. Although children use the notepad to communicate with peers, we often see children compose and print a message and then place the note in their bookbags or lockers to give to family members. This type of writing and communication with family members is often seen in classrooms where teachers use the computer for communication between school and home. Many adults consult a calendar at least once a day. Clicking the calendar icon takes a child to a screen that offers icon choices for illustrating a calendar and a message box for typing a corresponding message.
Young children have varied reasons for using the calendar.
For example, Jennifer diligently searched for the icon of a birthday cake. After finding and choosing the cake, she typed a few words and printed the calendar. The name icon found on KidDesk is a form of environmental print. Children who do not recognize their names begin to associate the spoken name with the written word. Children who recognize their names but do not know how to spell them have a resource to come back to as they match the letters of their names with the letters of the keyboard.