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.

  • MurrayL@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    7 days ago

    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.

    • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      7 days ago

      if they have shown any interest at all in programming, regular expressions is another topic that would be worthwhile to start learning ‘early’.

      • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
        3·
        7 days ago

        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.

  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    7 days ago
    • Krita is free and awesome for that age. Maybe install it together. If you have a tablet or touch screen, it’s really fun.
    • How familiar are you with (also free) Blender? You would have to install it and learn the basics. Just the 3d sculpting program might be a blast for him and have him edit a UV sphere. There are a few basic tips to get you going, but kids pick it up way easier than adults do.
      • The object mode is for the overall, individual objects
      • The edit mode is to work on, inside, the object you select
      • You absolutely have to have a scroll mouse
      • There is a description in the lower left corner that lets you edit the mesh you’re “adding” or putting in, then it goes away. This messes up a lot of people.
      • At the top are tabs that let you select a layout for Blender for each focus. There is one for sculpting.
      • The upper right has a lot of icons that let you move around the program (solid, see-thru, etc., and perspective. You would have to know this stuff.
      • This video is for you right now if you don’t know anything, and for him in a couple of years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOmYInaX-wE
    • Have him search Wikipedia on something he loves and to look for the sources.
    • Have him look for, speed up if necessary, and learn from youtube tutorials on topics that interest him.

    Side note: Affinity (photoshop alternative) just became free, but I think that’s too much. Good to know about though.