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Interesting and Educational Web Pages for Children?
watashiwananashidesu asks: "I am a teenager with no siblings and a a good number of little cousins. Being something of a nerd, I'm incredibly popular with these cousins, especially the ones who are 8-11. Recently, when my first cousin (female, 8) was over, I began a collection of links that she might enjoy--sites that were appropriate and fun.
Now that the Cold/Flu season is over, I can expect more visits from my first, second, and third cousins, and I'm left with a dismally small collection of links (eight, to be specific) for them to peruse. Also, the few I have are unsatisfactory; they're mainly corporate sites like Barbie.com and Lego.com with a few non-corporate games mixed in. None of the sites have any educational value, least of all about the things that I really want to expose them to--science, math, literature, and computers. In fact, I especially need sites that will teach them about computers, so that they'll be able to better keep in touch with me, when we're all older. What are some good sites I can bookmark for my cousins that are: educational, appropriate for children aged 5-11, (mainly three boys and two girls), fun, not a security threat, non-corporate (though this last one is optional)
Also, how can I make my friends/protégé(e)s/cousins make the best of what few links I have or manage to find?"
The problem with finding educational sites is that when you look for 'Educational', it's almost always pointed at an older demographic (Older than 8-11, anyway.). I hear companies going on and on about how the internet is great for kids - but aside from Homework and FPS games, what is there?
I apologize for my rambling.
I am a filthy pirate.
Most libraries have already tackled this topic, and provide at least some annotated links, as well as suggestions for Web directories aimed at children. For a non-local example, try the Internet Public Library's offering. Your local public library probably has something similar, tailored to local interests.
...set up your own page, and pepper it with family info (nothing too private), a few photos, basic family tree, vacation photoes, etc. Start with a few links to things like dictionaries, maps and some easy flash based games. Once they get the hang of things, you can add more links to the outside. Doing your own site first will allow you control, while showing an example of what they can expect, in terms of a 'good' site out on the net. Watch the logs for extraneous activity, and again, keep the personal info to a minimum. Predators always appreciate it when you make things easy for them.
I'm disturbed by the number of people recommending flash and java games/videos. Is that really what kids are using the internet for? A high-tech television replacement?
If the kids want to do something fun, there's got to be something more exciting than browsing the internet. But if computing is a necessity, why not teach them how to make something on their own? Creating your own flash video is a thousand times more exciting than watching someone else's. Teach them how to make their own fonts or icons or webpage. Something they can impress their friends with. It's more fun, more useful, and more educational than idly watching someone else's creativity.
When I was 8 years old, I remember running home from school every day to play on the computer. I doubt a day has gone by since then that I haven't used a PC. But the things that stick out the most are my own creations. Things like drawing a picture with an ANSI graphics editor in DOS. It wasn't much (hell, it was FAR from much), but that sense of accomplishment of creating my very own digital art is unforgetable.
It doesn't take much. Let them experiment with "Swish" to make some simple flash animations. Get them started with BASIC or Logo. Do anything you can to discourage New Television Generation 2.0, now better than ever.
Scratched Emulsion
My kids do this already. Thier "TV time" is limited, on avarage, to about 1 hour per week. And that is mostly when they are not feeling well and are low energy.
I do agree the point of your post: that most kids are not active enough and spend waaaaaay to much time inside doing passive activities. However the original question is valid. I would like to be able to provide my kids (6 and 7) with useful links, and other educational activities, to do with thier computers. The more accustomed they are to obtaining information, and making use of thier computers the better off they will be in the future.