CompuChild

How do classes work? As recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, we use small group instruction, which has proven to be the most effective method for teaching technology to young children. In small groups, the CompuChild teacher can focus and direct all children during the CompuChild class. Each child benefits from hands-on instruction, observation, repetition, peer encouragement, teamwork, reasoning and logical thinking.

How much actual keyboard time does my child get during a class? Because our classes are structured and captivating, children learn both by doing and through observation and encouragement. Research supports this teaching method as developmentally appropriate technology instruction. In fact, because we are constantly taking turns through the entire class, this setting teaches many important social skills as well as it provides one-on-one encouragement and instruction. You are welcome to observe a class at anytime.

Is it important for my child to attend every class? Our program is progressive, bringing your child through the logical steps it takes for them to understand and use the personal computer as a tool, not a toy. Although it is wonderful for children to come to every class from the beginning, we welcome your child to begin attending classes at any time.

What equipment do you use? We use Personal Desktop and laptop Computers similar to what most people have at home and to the equipment found in most pre-schools and centers. Your child will also be exposed to printers, digital cameras, various tracking devices and more! Your child will most likely be using a Microsoft Windows-based Personal Desktop Computer in school and the knowledge gained through CompuChild classes will give your child a head start. Your Rhode Island CompuChild Program Director also has experience with Macs and Ubuntu computers, and introduces students to those as well.

How do I know what's going on in class? Early each month, we'll post the monthly emphasis points for classes at your child's school and you'll receive them in your email. Early the next month, you'll receive a parent progress report that tells you what your child did in class during the preceding month, and we'll post that report at school, too. Your progress report will come to you by email if you've given us an email address in your parent information, or in your child's cubby/folder/mailbox if you haven't.

How do I pay for class? Watch for our CompuChild envelope. Just put your cash or check made out to CompuChild in the envelope and return it to the center/school on or before the first class of the month. We also offer parents the convenience of accepting credit and debit cards for automatic tuition payments, and we can invoice you via email so that you may pay directly through PayPal. We do not charge a registration fee.

WHO?

Children age 3 and older are eligible. No prior participation or computer experience is required.

WHAT?

Professionally-developed curriculum that meets or exceeds the standards recommended by the National Educational Technology Standards Project

Guides children from basic skills to Microsoft® Office applications, and includes lessons with robotics, digital microscope, printer, camera, and more

WHY?

Technology and computer skills are Life Skills that give children an academic advantage

Not all parents have the time or the knowledge to teach their child at home

HOW?

CompuChild does it all -- school staff is not responsible, and we bring our own child-friendly computers and peripheral equipment to class

We strive for a maximum of 5 children per class

BENEFITS to CHILDREN?

Through CompuChild classes children will:

Learn and use proper terminology

Explore and use the computer and many computer peripherals,

including digital camera, digital microscope, printer, and more

Use their imagination

Collaborate with peers

Increase self-esteem

Show respect for the equipment

Increase their ability to use the computer independently and productively

Strengthen literacy, problem solving, and other academic skills

Experience success

Have fun!

We never charge a registration fee, and there is no long-term commitment required. We encourage you to contact us to learn more.

Our children don't know a world without technology - they're "digital natives". Technology is everywhere, and computers are embedded in nearly everything, and technology skills are 21st Century skills. But using technology is not the same as learning about it.

We understand that:

children often explore technology fearlessly, with little regard for proper equipment usage or fundamental skills

the games and web sites children use do not necessarily lead to academic success

parents want their children to become confident and capable technology-users so that they can use those skills to excel in school and beyond

not all parents have the time or knowledge to teach their children at home.

At CompuChild, we help children learn 21st century pre-engineering and problem-solving skills, including proper computer usage and Microsoft® applications like Word and PowerPoint. We also use LEGO® WeDo robotics, digital cameras, microscopes, printers and more. Our curriculum is hands-on, interactive, cooperative, and fun, meets or exceeds National Technology Education Standards, and helps develop the whole child. In CompuChild class, technology education is more than child's play!

where technology education is more than child's play for children and adults

PARENTS ASK:

I have a computer at home, my child uses it, so why does he or she need CompuChild? It’s exciting that more and more children are gaining access to computer technology at home and at school so that they can play on a computer. Maybe they use computer games or they go to popular children’s websites. Play certainly encourages their creativity, and may even help them work their academic muscles if they use carefully chosen games, but it doesn’t teach them proper terminology, proper usage, or how to use the computer itself as a tool. Not only do we teach them correct terminology, but we also model and teach correct usage which means they’ll use the equipment correctly and respectfully. We also teach them how to use applications that they’re going to need to be successful in school – applications they won’t choose to play with on their own, applications that are complex and powerful, such as Microsoft® Word and PowerPoint. Oh, and yes, we also play carefully selected games that they love while they secretly flex their academic muscles.

What will my child learn? Each week, we cover one or more specific Emphasis Points. Emphasis Points are specific skills and terminology that are taught in a logical progression. We also review on a regular basis to reinforce these emphasis points. The lesson plans we use to teach this material have been professionally developed in collaboration with educators who specialize in how young children learn, and using more than 30 years of experience in the computer field.

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