"Computers should supplement--and not replace--activities and materials such as art, sand, water, books, music, outdoor exploration, experimenting with writing materials, dramatic play, and socializing with other children."

The Alliance for Childhood produced a report in 2000 which recommends that computer usage by you children is beneficial, providing it is in moderation and supported by good software.

Professor Douglas Clements in Scholastic Early Childhood Today said that even at the age of 2 a child can be sat on someones knee in front of a computer.
He says "In my professional opinion, if the child enjoys the experience and seems to be interacting and engaged, then the same benefits are present as when reading a book or playing blocks together."

If you search for references, you will find that there are plenty of examples where computer usage amongst the young is encouraged and shown to be beneficial. However, the thrust is that as with any activity, especially with the very young it should be supported and time limited.

This really applies to any activity. As a parent it is easy to leave children in front of screens to amuse themselves. I would argue that it is not a good thing for kids to spend long periods watching endless cartoons on the TV. The same applies to computers.

These days it is very common to put TVs, computers etc into kids rooms. Is this a good thing? Does it help them to interact responsibly with others? Do they learn and develop as well as a child with varied, supported activities such as : drawing, reading, roleplay, going to the park?

All I am saying is there should be a balance. Computers - yes, TV - yes but in moderation and not used to simply give Mum and Dad some head space.

Personally I have taught my kids to use Word Processors, drawing packages and yes, even write programs. I don't like them spending hours on runescape or similar activies. They are allowed to play runescape and even play games that are rated at a little higher age than they actually are, but in moderation and if we parents approve.

Incidentally, our kids share a computer and don't have one each. This means they often co-operate and have to negotiate turns, share the experience etc and the computer is in a communal area and not in a bedroom.

As a parent, I am trying to give my kids the best start I can. Left to their own devices they would spend all day on the computer or watching Cartoon Network. We can tell when they have spent too long on such activities. They get lethargic, grumpy, don't eat well and sleep badly. However, with the right balance of activities and interaction the reverse is true.

Therefore, I give you, my opinion, my experience a smattering of professional opinion. However, if you want more science, there is plenty to hand if you Google (and Google Scholar). There has been a lot of research done in this area.

When my kids were small, I did indeed sit them on my knee and let them "play" with the computer. The point being I was there; discussing, helping and guiding them.

Personally, I can't think of anything worse than leaving a small child to their own devices interacting with a screen, be it computer or TV.

By all means introduce a child to a computer at an early age, but do it in small doses and together.

In my experience children love computers, but when you do manage to drag them off and do something together that actually prefer it. The difficulty is detaching them from the system in the first place.

Don't be in a rush to plug 'em in too much, too quickly!