The kid’s grandparents got him an Amazon Fire tablet and I loathe the thing. It teaches literally nothing about computing and the games they have for kids are barely even games, and are more focusing on advertising various IPs.

I’d like to get the kid started, as he learns to read, on something that will be more useful than detrimental, let that soft little brain soak up some actual computer science, literacy. I teach him about basic electrical circuits and how that translates to computing, if, and, or, xor, nor, etc. He’s got some familiar with hex (colors) and the concept of binary (on/off).

But what to get for a first computer? I almost want to get him something Linux based and turn him loose. Is there anything like that, that would require him to learn some command prompt and basic computing skills?

Every time and try and Google it, I get a bunch of crap suggestions and ads.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•1 day ago

    Maybe not a good start depending on your child’s state of mind and level. Simple games like audio surf let your child get used to the controls and respect the PC. My 9yr old cousin just banged on the keyboard like a monkey while my sister was taking and editing selfies before she could walk.

    Second thing is RTS. I taught my brother C&C generals at 3 and he learned plenty of advance skills like finances, hot keys, long term thinking. I was really impressed.