Getting children to use the computer at an early age should be a national priority.
There is plenty of evidence that their exposure to educational and interactive computer
programs gives them a real advantage as they enter pre-school, kindergarten and
the elementary grades. One impediment has been the parents’ fear that the kids might
corrupt the computers’ data. A new software program puts that fear to rest. Now
the word needs to reach parents. You can help. Here are some sample story starters:
As he carefully wiped gooey peanut butter from his computer’s keys, a father of
three young girls decided enough was enough. He bought them their own computer…at
considerable expense. But as a software engineer, he knew there had to be a way
to let the kids use their parents’ computers without the worry of them fouling up
the computer’s data. There were numerous programs to block their access to the internet,
but no one had come up with a way to keep them away from the hard drive’s files
and documents. Thus was born Peanut Butter PC, an inexpensive, easy-to install program
on a CD that creates a safe “backyard” in which the kids can enjoy and learn from
their own programs…and only those programs. Doesn’t solve the peanut-butter-on-the-
keys problem, but it sure is a boon to kids and parents alike.
Early exposure to the right computer software programs can give youngsters a head
start on the learning experiences they encounter in pre-school, kindergarten and
elementary grades. Research by Haugland as early as 1992 and Clements in 1994 showed
that the kind of software the children use provided vastly different educational
outcomes. More recent studies bolster these findings. Drill and practice software
proved to have negative learning results. Open-ended, developmentally appropriate
software provided significant gains in intelligence, nonverbal skills, long-term
memory, manual dexterity and self esteem. Computers are proliferating in day care
centers, pre-schools, kindergartens and children’s, library sections. In a computer-driven
world, parents and educators alike recognize that computer familiarity from as early
as three years will make a big difference in schooling and in the business world.
Not necessarily. It’s great if mom and pop can afford it. But what if they can’t?
Will letting the kids use the adults’ computer(s) put their files and documents
at risk of accidental corruption? Tax files, financial records, personal data, e-mail
lists, diaries, manuscripts, and more can be lost at the flick of a wayward little
finger. The answer may be a new software program that sets up a safe “backyard”
for the kids within their parents’ computers(s). Peanut Butter PC is an inexpensive,
easy-to-install program on CD that lets the kids enjoy and learn from educational
and interactive programs that can be installed within the “backyard.” They can’t
get access to anything else – the internet or the computer’s files or documents.
Sure beats buying another computer.
The 2000 U.S. Census data indicates that more than half of America’s 54 million
households had at least one computer, showing a five per cent increase per year
for the preceding few years. At this rate, computer ownership by households could
be above 80% by the end of 2007. About half are thought to be one-computer households.
While Current Population Survey (CPS) data say that 73% of adult males and 72% of
adult females use computers, there are no statistics on the use of computers by
children as young as three years. This despite plenty of research indicating the
value of such usage. Educators, who now provide computer access to 90% of all school
students, say early childhood use of computers is hindered by parents’ fear that
a child will corrupt the computer’s data. This is particularly true when there is
only one computer and one hard drive on which to store information. A new software
program promises to eliminate that fear by giving the kids their own portal and
access only to educational and interactive programs. Details are available online
at peanutbutterpc.com.
Who is Peanut Butter Software?
Peanut Butter Software was founded and is currently managed by a father
of three, who wanted to give his children the benefits of early computer usage.
Since no other application existed to do what he needed, he wrote his own software.
The solution worked so well, it was redesigned and packaged for commercial use.
At Peanut Butter Software, we realize that our software provides an essential service
to our youngest and most impressionable citizens. We are always mindful of our role
as advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves.
What Is the Objective of Peanut Butter PC?
Many companies have developed programs to protect youngsters from the Internet,
but only Peanut Butter Software offers that protection plus a safe “backyard” for
kids to enjoy and learn from the many educational and interactive programs available
at retail.
Peanut Butter PC is an easy-to install and use program designed to foster early
childhood computer skills with no (zero) adult supervision required. Peanut Butter
PC will keep your kids out of your programs, and it cleverly does this by creating
a kid-friendly environment that the little tikes can't leave. Think of it as a really
cool maximum security facility. After a quick installation, expect to spend a few
minutes deciding which programs and websites you will allow your kids to access.
Every application and website added to Peanut Butter PC is automatically accessible
by all users, but parents and teachers can hide them from individual users if they
choose. This way, each child (or class) can have access to their own age-appropriate
programs. Parents/Teachers can configure Peanut Butter PC so that it's the first
thing that comes up when the computer is turned on, and the last thing kids see
before they log off. If a kid manages to hack through this, that kid deserves his
or her own computer.
What Impact Has the Software Had on Children?
7 Million children ages 3 to 5 have access to a home computer But how many
truly benefit from them? Peanut Butter PC is designed to make computers more accessible
to children who benefit most from early computer usage (ages 3 to 8 years old).
The technology can be employed at home, preschools, day-cares and libraries. Kids
use Peanut Butter PC for activities that go hand-in-hand with our understanding
of what constitutes a traditional childhood. They use the technology to play, learn,
communicate and form relationships as children always have. When kids can use a
computer on their own, they are thinking, analyzing, criticizing, authenticating
and composing their thoughts.
