The Effects of Computers on the Social Behavior of Preschoolers

The purpose of this research was to study the impact of computers on the social behavior of preschoolers. Fourteen preschoolers were observed while they worked at the computer over the course of two months. Data were collected through non-participant observations, informal interviews of the children, and interviews of the teachers. Results found a total of 91 peer interactions and 33 teacher interactions over the course of the study. The interactions included children acknowledging each other, children commenting and being ignored, and children sharing or helping each other. Gender variation was found in frequency of use, with the boys using the computer more often than the girls. Implications of the study underscore the educational value of the social environment at the computers, the value of using developmentally appropriate software, and the need for teachers to teach such cooperative learning behaviors as sharing of ideas and group problem solving.