Computers are beginning to play an exciting role in the writing experiences of young children, but misconceptions often follow on the heels of progress. If you're aware of the myths that surround computer writing, you can help your child reap its benefits while avoiding its pitfalls.

Myth 1: We can throwaway the paper and pencils.

Not likely. There has been no decrease in the formal teaching of "penmanship" in the elementary schools as a result of computers. Even in "computer saturated" schools, children use just as much paper. The adult of the 2000's will need to express ideas with both pen (marker, paper, chalkboard, white board, etc.) and keyboard. So don't throwaway the lined paper! Also keep in mind that writing with a pencil involves a completely different set of skills, no less important, than typing on a keyboard (just try writing your name with your non-dominant hand to get a sense of what a beginning writer goes through). There is no doubt that residents of the 21st century will need to be fluent with both pencils and keyboards.

Myth 2: Children need formal keyboard instruction before they can write with computers.

Not so. With traditional pens and pencils, scribbles lead to letters, to strings of letters, to words/sentences, to paragraphs. When first starting with computers, preschoolers "scribble" -- pressing the keys to see what happens. This leads to typing in a name and then other simple words. ACOT (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow) researchers found that "...even second and third graders became more adept users of the keyboard with no formal training... typing 25 to 30 wpm with 95% accuracy -- more than twice as fast as children of that age can usually write." When children are older (usually about third grade), they can begin working with a structured keyboarding program that builds skills over time through a set of day-to-day activities. The same key to success applies to both computer typing and handwriting -- and that's practice, practice, practice.

Myth 3: You need to buy special writing software designed just for children.

Not really. While there are several terrific children's word processing programs available, the word processor that comes standard on any new computer (Microsoft Works or ClarisWorks 4.0, for example) provides a great starting point. Your toddler can sit in your lap and press the keyboard buttons, taking great delight in creating, printing, and sending (or better yet faxing) all kinds of documents. Just make the font large and let the kids play. You can also make a folder for your children's projects and watch how their writing develops over time.

Myth 4: Computers improve the quality of children's writing.

Not so, according to one study that closely compared early elementary children's writing with paper and pencil to that done with a word processor (Olson 1993). Why is this? Why wouldn't a tool that makes writing faster and easier improve its quality? Because no tool can ever replace the creative, mental juggling that comes with the writing task. What computers do well, though, is give young writers more options; with a simple click, they can insert pictures or even hear their writing read aloud. This can bring more excitement to the writing task.

Myth 5: Spelling checkers eliminate the need for learning how to spell.

Spelling checkers are great, but they don't eliminate the need for a solid knowledge of spelling. The following lines are from a poem made up of correctly spelled words. Read it to anyone who thinks spelling checkers are infallible.

An Owed to the Spelling Checker

I have a spelling checker
It came with my PC
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks eye can knot sea.
Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished in it's weigh
My checker tolled me sew.
A checker is a bless sing,
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl styles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.
Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule
The checker poured o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.
Be fore a veiling checkers
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if were lacks or have a laps,
We would be maid to wine.
Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with with such grate flare,
Their are know faults with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.

Computers are powerful tools that can enhance a child's writing through instant feedback, illustrations, and spell checking. But traditional writing instruction is obviously necessary, and it's here to stay. The facts are in -- a healthy combination of the two can provide the optimal writing experience for your child.

Reprinted with the permission of Children's Software Revue, a hi-monthly newsletter dedicated to helping teachers and parents find software. This story was printed from FamilyEducation.com