I promised my kid they’d get a laptop when they learn to read well enough.
This turned out to be a good motivator and they can now read full books.
The kid likes competitions and challenges. I would like to come up with tasks they can learn to do with the laptop.
The reason I want my children to have access to a computer specifically, is that while TVs and phones are used to consume, computers are used to create.
I will be installing some Linux flavor on this machine, as it is a bit dated.
I was thinking about things like:
- Write a short story
- Install a graphics editing program
- Draw a picture of a cat
To get them started.
Probably I need some easier ones first.
From cmd line, run a game
Download a picture from the Internet, move it to the desktop with the file explorer only. Then print it out.
take a look at endless os.
https://www.endlessglobal.com/foundation/access/operating-system
specifically, the ‘full’ install with all the goodies and content ‘preinstalled’.
notes from personal experience (i use endless at home): don’t be tempted by the ability to install alongside windows and dual boot. it’s not optimal by any stretch. that configuration uses windows as the boot manager (windows has to basically boot to get to that menu), and endless and its data is then stored in a loop device (slow, especially with old hdd). do a normal install (use the ‘advanced’ option in the windows installer to make an ‘endless usb stick’ then choose the ‘full’ image). you will need a 64gb flash drive for an english language ‘full’ installer of the current (6.0.8) version.
Have you thought of using an Arduino, and let him program little things?
Really depends on what they’re into in general, but if they show interest in coding, I’d recommend Scratch. It’s a coding platform made (primarily) for kids, I got really into it once, and still tinker with it sometimes. I’d say that Scratch is easy to learn, hard to master, and fun.
Have him open it up, clean the dust, and put it back together again.
Adding to this, to have them learn about static build up and how to ground themselves before touching anything in an electronic device. PC/laptop in particular.
I was actually considering a desktop PC for this reason…
You could do what my dad did and accidently delete some of the system files, leaving it for your kid to fix.
The reason I want my children to have access to a computer specifically, is that while TVs and phones are used to consume, computers are used to create.
Joking aside, that’s an interesting perspective. I hadnt really thought of it that way before, despite using a computer to create things almost every day.
You could do what my dad did and accidently delete some of the system files, leaving it for your kid to fix.
Now I assume this thread is full of folks trying to figure out if we found our siblings Lemmy account…
My kids have Raspberry Pi 400s (which I ought to upgrade to 500s, as they complain about them being too slow).
I think those specifically are a good choice for this use-case because they come with a big (physical, paper!) book that teaches kids all sorts of stuff that can be done with them.
Obviously you’ll want to start with absolute basics like mouse and keyboard navigation.
Beyond that? Maybe something involving a ‘treasure hunt’ to learn about navigating files and folders, renaming files, and copying vs. moving them.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard lots of kids coming up now really struggle with the concept of file systems, so it’s definitely something worth teaching early.
I love the treasure hunt idea.
Hey dad, Thinkercad is 100% online and has one of those building blocks coding. It has courses for young kids and he can even learn how to model in 3d. Very simple and fun
if they have shown any interest at all in programming, regular expressions is another topic that would be worthwhile to start learning ‘early’.
Damn. I love this community. Lemmy goes hard.
“My kid can read now.”
“It’s never too early to teach them regular expressions.”
Edit: To be clear, I agree. It’s just great to be among like minded folks, here.
I learnt as a 5 year old typing stuff into DOS because I wanted to play games on it.
What do your kids want to do at the computer? That drive will make them motivated learners.
You could install something like LMMS and let them experiment with making their own music (without needing recording equipment or learning real instruments yet).
Oh hey I didn’t know about LMMS, this is definitely going on the list!
Honestly give them Minecraft and let them loose on that. For a 7yo that’s a great challenge.
They already build cities in minecraft but on the playstation. Good idea to include that on the PC.
Maybe get them to use keyboard and mouse instead of a controller? Still teaches computer literacy and it’s a good control schema to get used to as a child
And when they get a handle on the base game, you can build up all kind of skills with texture packs and mods.
- learning to recognize trusted sources
- learning what a virus is, antivirus, etc
- digital art via retexturing thing.
- folder paths structure
- different file formats
- editing config files
Its also easy to make a self hosted server. Which has its own set of challenges, but would be great if they get a few friends to play.
Does your kid like minecraft? Make a game with them on the minetest/luanti engine. For a base game you can use Minetest Game or a minecraft clone like Mineclonia and follow this modding book. Have the kid make 16x16px textures in gimp and you can rtegister some modded blocks Its as easy as this:
minetest.register_node(“default:stone”, { description = S(“Stone”), tiles = {“default_stone.png”}, groups = {cracky = 3, stone = 1}, drop = “default:cobble”, legacy_mineral = true, sounds = default.node_sound_stone_defaults(), })
What a great idea, I have been looking for ways to get them into programming in a fun way.
You can make an image of the / drive so it’s easier to restore if they break the system.
I you can slowly teach them to use the command line, if they can read fluently using the cli shouldn’t be that hard. You can teach them the basic commands, and teach them to install a program with apt.
Also, you said write a short story? The teach them vim (or emacs if you prefer that).
You can install vmpk (or some other music keyboard emulation program) so they can play some music. And if they get more interested get them LMMS and later ardour + advanced stuff.
Krita is a super nice program to draw, and colour (tho no fun without a drawing tablet), maybe you can teach them vectorial drawing on inkscape. And if they like it then install Blender and go 3D.
Teach them to launch Vim, and they can spend their remaining computer use time using Vim.
Unless they figure out how to exit vim, then please have them come teach me how.
Sorry. I will see myself out.
https://vimsnake.com/ is a good one for getting used to vim.
You can make an image of the / drive so it’s easier to restore if they break the system.
That’s good advice. I always meant to do that with computers my kids access.
Although I haven’t ever had my kids break a Linux Mint install. I set them up as non-sudo users and that was enough.
Of course, they grew older and have sudo now, so I should actually think about taking a drive image, now.
-
Editing a text file (I guess writing a story has that covered?)
-
Deleting a program (I did not know how to remove programs for the longest time as a kid… this was on windows, mind you. I figured just deleting the desktop icon was all it took. Oops.)
-
Changing display resolution and scale (Really just poking around the accessibility menu in general is valuable, lots of useful stuff even for someone with good vision etc.)
All of these basic OS skills are great! App management and settings are def on the list now.
-
