Abstract:

Over the last years computers have appeared in many of our homes. Consequently, more and more children come into contact with computers and numerous other modern devices around them at a very early age. Thus, it is essential that they avail of the benefits of the scientific and technological progress in a proper way. The presence of computers has multiple advantages. They are perfect tools for promoting child's education and development. Proper selection of educational programs may facilitate the process of gaining knowledge and molding skills, such as logical thinking, putting two and two together, perseverance, patience, or fast and accurate decision taking. Well-chosen programs help develop powers of observation, agility, manual dexterity, reflex, and the ability to concentrate on two or more things at a time.

It is hard not to appreciate the revolutionary role computers play in the world of disabled children with serious limb paralyses or speech and hearing disorders. If carefully suited to an individual child, any peripheral device or computer may turn out to be a communication means and educational tool, and in the future - a tool for performing a socially useful profession, which involves bolstering one's self-esteem and ability to become independent in the case of the handicapped.

There is no denying that computer use at a too early age or in an uncontrolled fashion entails various threats. Computers should not serve as a replacement for playing with other peers or siblings, mutual family relations, and particularly, they may not become the primary free time activity.
Prolonged periods in front of computer screens pose numerous health risks: worsening of poor posture habits, eye strain, or even short sight. A long-lasting attack on the child's nervous system with a stream of multicolor light, cacophony of exciting sounds, and an emotional see-saw resulting from virtual world experiences may lead to concentration disorders, thinking disturbances, emotional breakdown, alienation from the real world, disturbance of emotional relations with family and friends, and many other personality disorders referred to as computer addiction. Distorting one's hierarchy of values, putting computers first and bending all non-computer life to suit computers is an extreme case of the phenomenon.

Therefore, we need not to forget reasonably curb the time child spends on the computer and to make a proper selection of educational programs.
The article presents research regarding the role of computers in the life of pre-school children.

Keywords:

Computer, child, preschool.