Guitar Hero for the preschool set

Parent Hacks has an interesting discussion going on about how to help your little ones join in the fun with Guitar Hero and Rock Band (1 & 2). While you are jamming away, your preschooler or toddler can join in with extra guitars for older game versions or by using the program’s “no-fail” mode. I didn’t even know such a thing existed.

Instead of getting frustrated and booed off the stage when they miss notes, they can play till their little hearts content. Apparently, you have to use a “cheat code”  (one parent reveals the cheat) to access that mode in Guitar Hero. Only Rock Band 2 has it for the other game, not the original version.

What’s your trick for letting the littlest ones join in on the video game fun?

Meeting the Mouse (and I don’t mean Mickey!)

First there was walking. Then there was potty training. And now there is another big milestone in the lives of children—using a mouse. This week, my 3-year-old began to master the mouse.

For my generation we were in school before we ever saw a computer, much less used a mouse. For my kids, however, it is essential to their lives. My son has been around computers since I nursed him at the keyboard while typing one-handed, but this week he went from watcher to doer.

DS is left-handed so I made sure to move the mouse to the other side of the keyboard to make it easier. We also have a small-sized mouse that does not require clicking a special button, although you can put a star on the right place to help them figure it out.
You can also slow down the tracking speed and clicking speed on your mouse to help them. On a Mac, you can find it in your “System Preferences” under “Keyboard and Mouse.” On Windows, it is in your “Control Panel” under “Mouse Properties.”

Another essential tip for introducing young children to the computer is to let them practice on websites designed for toddlers and young preschoolers.
Some of my favorites are Starfall, PBS Kids, Internet4Classrooms and Kneebouncers for the youngest of all.

These games typically have fewer “clickable” places preventing a lot of frustration for you and your kid. Also be sure to maximize the screen to prevent accidental jumps to other programs or * gasp * unsaved documents.

While I don’t want my son spending hours in front of the computer, letting him practice this skill while reinforcing his literacy or counting skills at interactive games is time well spent, especially if it means I get dinner on the table!