4 ms·

Put simply, you can give her the chance by giving her the chance. What types of things is she interested in? Art? Music? Video? Programming? Something else ent

Put simply, you can give her the chance by giving her the chance. What types of things is she interested in? Art? Music? Video? Programming? Something else entirely? All of these things domains have relatively inexpensive tools available which would be accessible enough for her to use. (I'll admit that I am not the best resource for what those tools are). The larger philosophical approach: show her that computers are tools that she can use to pursue her own interests and to create things. Provide support when necessary, but mostly let her figure things out on her own (and show her where to look when she wants to learn more; I learned a lot about how to use Photoshop from Photoshop tutorial sites, for example). If it's something you're pretty good with, "Hey, wanna see something cool?" works better than almost anything else. It's okay if that's the extent to which she is interested in computers. It's also okay if she begins trying to create her own tools, as there are resources for that, too. Finally, keep in mind that 7 year olds are constantly growing and changing, and that interests can change rapidly. It's okay if she spends 2 weeks straight working on GIMP, only to drop all of that the third week. The introduction of extrinsic motivators tends to diminish intrinsic motivation (Kohn, Pink), and she's still young enough that her sense of curiousity and adventure has hopefully not been fully squashed. Good luck.

probably 16y ago
Yes. Since the question was regarding introduction to computers and not programming necessarily, I think this response is relevant. I can't locate the article but I recall reading that girls were much more interested in using computer tools to generate content, while it was the boys (or adult males) that were more often providing (writing) the tools. Not to generalize to all individuals, but empowering her with the tools to create content (e.g., GIMP or Google Sites) may be a strategic move.
- Mz 16y ago
  ...girls were much more interested in using computer tools to generate content, while it was the boys (or adult males) that were more often providing (writing) the tools. Sample of one, agreeing with your comment: I'm female. I learned a little (x)html and css exactly for this reason. A friend liked something I had written and posted to an email list. She asked if she could publish it on her website. I said "sure". She later let me post more stuff there. Then she couldn't keep up and gifted me all the code. I knew absolutely nothing about code or running a website. I didn't even know what FTP meant. I started playing with the code by copying and pasting new background colors into the code. As my site grew, I had to figure out better navigation techniques...etc. My sons are dragging me slowly into playing a wider variety of games by de-emphasizing all the "macho" stuff I hate (like the fighting) and emphasizing how much each game is "like" something I do like: Simcity. They didn't get me into playing stereotypical guy games by telling me it was wrong to be so girly or to have the objections I had. They sold me on it by showing me what was in it for me that fit with my "girly" interests.
  - dstorrs 16y ago
    Thank you for this, it's much appreciated. It is my belief that geek culture is relatively gender blind but it is definitely true that there seem to be fewer girl geeks than guy geeks. I wish more women had engaged with computers so positively as you obviously have; the field would be richer for it.
dstorrs 16y ago
Thanks very much for this. When I posted my question, I considered adding a paragraph to the effect of "I know the obvious stuff such as 'do something that interests her already and show her how the computer can enhance / simplify / empower that thing'." I left it out because I wanted to leave the maximum scope for people's answers, and now I'm glad I did. I have to admit, the first time I read your comment I waved it off impatiently as "yes, yes, obviously that" but I'm glad I re-read it. I hadn't thought about the fact that her interests may be changing quickly and often, nor some of the other practical mental challenges that her age might bring like an attention span that is significantly different from day to day. Thanks for pointing that out -- I suspect you just saved both me and L a lot of dissatisfaction.

probably 16y ago

Yes. Since the question was regarding introduction to computers and not programming necessarily, I think this response is relevant. I can't locate the article but I recall reading that girls were much more interested in using computer tools to generate content, while it was the boys (or adult males) that were more often providing (writing) the tools. Not to generalize to all individuals, but empowering her with the tools to create content (e.g., GIMP or Google Sites) may be a strategic move.

Mz 16y ago
...girls were much more interested in using computer tools to generate content, while it was the boys (or adult males) that were more often providing (writing) the tools. Sample of one, agreeing with your comment: I'm female. I learned a little (x)html and css exactly for this reason. A friend liked something I had written and posted to an email list. She asked if she could publish it on her website. I said "sure". She later let me post more stuff there. Then she couldn't keep up and gifted me all the code. I knew absolutely nothing about code or running a website. I didn't even know what FTP meant. I started playing with the code by copying and pasting new background colors into the code. As my site grew, I had to figure out better navigation techniques...etc. My sons are dragging me slowly into playing a wider variety of games by de-emphasizing all the "macho" stuff I hate (like the fighting) and emphasizing how much each game is "like" something I do like: Simcity. They didn't get me into playing stereotypical guy games by telling me it was wrong to be so girly or to have the objections I had. They sold me on it by showing me what was in it for me that fit with my "girly" interests.
- dstorrs 16y ago
  Thank you for this, it's much appreciated. It is my belief that geek culture is relatively gender blind but it is definitely true that there seem to be fewer girl geeks than guy geeks. I wish more women had engaged with computers so positively as you obviously have; the field would be richer for it.

dstorrs 16y ago

Thanks very much for this. When I posted my question, I considered adding a paragraph to the effect of "I know the obvious stuff such as 'do something that interests her already and show her how the computer can enhance / simplify / empower that thing'." I left it out because I wanted to leave the maximum scope for people's answers, and now I'm glad I did. I have to admit, the first time I read your comment I waved it off impatiently as "yes, yes, obviously that" but I'm glad I re-read it. I hadn't thought about the fact that her interests may be changing quickly and often, nor some of the other practical mental challenges that her age might bring like an attention span that is significantly different from day to day. Thanks for pointing that out -- I suspect you just saved both me and L a lot of dissatisfaction.