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Most children have such a short attention span. How do you get your child to learn computer skills that even adults find it demanding? Follow these easy ways to get your child interested in picking up computer skills.

{Lesson 1: Computer is fun when safe}
Computer is fun only when it is safe. So, the crucial first step is to provide a safe and conducive learning environment. The main safety issue of computer is the electrical dangers to the child. A computer system consists of different electrical devices like printer or monitor that carries the risk of electrical shock.

You have to ensure that all cables connections are properly secured and keep out of sight. Once these are done, the first lesson to teach your child is the proper usage of computer. You must stress on the danger of electrical shocks and warn them not touch or remove any electrical connections to the computer. As parents, you should also conduct periodic safety checks on the computer.

{Lesson 2: A mouse is not an animal}
When is a mouse not an animal? The answer is that the mouse belongs to the computer. Computer contains many terms that are confusing even to adults. In order to pick up computer skills fast, you must instill the knowledge of basic terms for your child. Go through the names of major computer parts like keyboard, mouse, monitor and central processing unit (CPU).

Use analogy to describe the parts like CPU is the brain; keyboard is ABC input while mouse is a big pencil. You can place stick-on pad on the different parts to show them. This lesson is important as it helps the child to describe the problem e.g. "I cannot move the mouse".

{Lesson 3: Games make learning fun}
The motivation for learning computer skills for most people is gaming. Thus, you can use games to spur your child into picking the relevant computer skills. Start with typing games for keyboard and mouse clicks. This helps to familiarize the child with the kinetics of keyboard and mouse.

Picking up computer skills must be progressive as well. Let the child gain confidence in using one software at a time. Do not overwhelm the child with too much information. Remember that even adult have difficult picking up computer skills for different software. So, you should let the child advance to the next level when the basic skills are attained.

{Lesson 4: Projects, progress and rewards}
Learning is fun if there is a purpose. You can ask your child to a do a project like finding information on the Internet. Use the project to guide your child along. Monitor their progress and give them pointers on how to apply the newly acquired computer skills in the project.

Use charts to show their progress and reward them for their achievements. You can also use this opportunity explain to them the dangers of the Internet. During this process, you have to be patience while striving to encourage your child to reinforce the computer skills.

Learning computer for a child is very different from that of adult. They have shorter attention span and are not aware of the dangers posed by computers and the Internet. In order for a child to describe the problem faced, you have to teach the basics of computer terms. Use games to make learning fun and to familiarize with the workings of keyboard and mouse. Develop simple projects to track the progress of your child. Lastly, reward them for their accomplishment. Only then, your child will be encouraged to learn computer skills while having fun at the same time.

Learn more about this author, Danny Kwok.
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