What piece of tech might you give a 4 year old, if you wanted her to become a tech genius? What might you start teaching her this early, so she can make a life for herself with tech?
A 4yo is going to have both limited interest and limited attention, so it's important to give her something that is both highly visual and immediately gratifying. I think LEGOs (or the larger blocks, if her fine motor skills aren't there yet) would be perfect. Not only do they allow her to express and develop her creativity (debatably one of the more important aspects of technology aptitude), it will give you plenty of time to spend with her. Once she's up to about 7 or 8 years old, you can get a simplistic electronics kit and build things with her. Kids love things that buzz and whir, and at ~7-8yo she might be able to hold her attention to it long enough to figure out what is actually happening with the electronics.
Another good idea would be an old smartphone/ipod touch that you aren't using. Load it up with some fun apps, and help her learn to use a piece of technology in a fun and transparent way.
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Anonymous2013-12-15 3:15
Man 1 : "Have you heard of the "Newborn-to-Toddler Apptivity Seat for the iPad"?"
Man 2 : "Oh, that reclining chair for parents to strap in a baby and slip a tablet into a case above the kid's face?"
Man 1 : "Yes, People are criticising it for hampering the development of infants."
Man 2 : "I know of some parents who got upset when their friend bought the seat for their child."
Father : "So thoughtless!"
Mother : "Yeah! She didn't include the iPad!!"
Father : "Cheappo!"
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Anonymous2013-12-19 8:41
Android tablet or phone (Nexus 4/5 or Moto G off contract) basically something with Android. I think once the kid learns the basic stuff, you can show them how open and cool Android can be later on. Also, a computer with some sort of GNU/Linux on it. When the kid gets to the "google around to do cool stuff" stage they'll be learning bash instead of reading how to move around control panel on Windows. elementaryOS is probably what I'd recommend.
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Anonymous2013-12-19 8:42
Android tablet or phone (Nexus 4/5 or Moto G off contract) basically something with Android. I think once the kid learns the basic stuff, you can show them how open and cool Android can be later on. Also, a computer with some sort of GNU/Linux on it. When the kid gets to the "google around to do cool stuff" stage they'll be learning bash instead of reading how to move around control panel on Windows. elementaryOS is probably what I'd recommend.
Name:
Anonymous2013-12-19 8:42
Android tablet or phone (Nexus 4/5 or Moto G off contract) basically something with Android. I think once the kid learns the basic stuff, you can show them how open and cool Android can be later on. Also, a computer with some sort of GNU/Linux on it. When the kid gets to the "Google around to do cool stuff" stage they'll be learning bash instead of reading how to move around control panel on Windows. elementaryOS is probably what I'd recommend.