Toddler Using a Computer

We use the fisher price and starfall sites that have already been recommended. We also got a smaller mouse that she can actually get her hand on and control better.

I avoid websites because I hate the ads and stuff. A good program that does what your looking for...you have to download but we love it here! (its free)
If you have a PC its called Babysmash, if you have a Mac its called Alphababy.

As far as Web sites, you could try Nick Jr. (http://www.nickjr.com) and PBS Kids (http://www.pbskids.org)

Other than that, I agree with Lesley. A game that takes up the whole screen is good for kids to learn. I was trying to remember what game I had my daughter start with... I don't think it was a Jump Start game, but something similar. It has a duck and it teaches colors, shapes, and letters.

Also, change your mouse pointer speed to be much slower. Kids want to move the mouse quickly, but then they can't follow the pointer on the screen with their eyes as quickly. Slowing it down helps them get used to it.

starfall.com (teaches abc to read, etc)
pbskids.org
nickjr.com
playhousedisney.go? something like that
sesamestreet.org
fisherprice.com (has games for little ones)
also jumpstart has cd's for the computer for toddlers, and preschool that are great!

i put a sticker on the left mouse button for my son so he could learn which button to press because he was always pressing the wrong one.

Hi Sal,
When my son was a toddler (like 10 years ago LOL) I purchased some computer games that when playing, covered the entire computer screen so he could not accidentally click on "My computer" or something. I think they were Jump Start series. He loved them, learned computer skills and got a "jump" on kindergarten.

Have fun.

There are toys that mimic laptops. I think one is even called My First Laptop. That said, with all the research linking gaming to childhood obesity (I know, I don't mean to be the harbringer of doom, but I have to say it), you might want to consider more traditional and interactive ways to teach your toddler the ABC's, like books, flashcards and songs. With technology evolving as rapidly as it is, our kids will be tied to computers and mobile devices for a good majority of their lives. I wouldn't push computer use so early. Once my 4 year old daughter figured out how to play games on my husband's iPhone, she fought me on going outside to play so I had to put a stop to that :) Good luck!

My son loves the site www.kidzui.com It has a ton of games for both educational and entertainment purposes. And there is a parent log-in where you can limit the games they have access to and log how many hours they play.

www.starfall.com

learn the letters first, and then the keyboard is easy.

Jumpstart has a lot of games for toddlers. You can find them on their website or at WalMart.

My 3 yr old loves Pbskids.org. She also occasionally goes to Sproutoneline.com.

The best one for a toddler has already been mentioned. fisherprice.com that one has games where all the child has to do is push any button on the keyboard to get a response. It is a great introductory to using the computer, it also has more games as they learn more about the mouse. Good luck and good for you for introducing computer skills early :)

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=gamesLand...

I like jump start toddler games but they are purchase ones

http://www.kids-fun-and-games.com/online-toddler-games.html had links to many more
I did a google search for online toddler games and found many

my 3 y/o daughter plays games at

http://www.nickjr.com/kids/

She sat on my lap at first, now she just gets after it with little assistance but I will occasionally sit with her because it gets lonely in the house without her lol

Its awesome because its teaching her letters, shapes, colors etc all the while learning her way around the computer! Good luck!