I would stand strongly against introducing kids to computers at an early age. Heck, I would ban the use of calculators at an early age. I'm part of generation Y and I was introduced to calculators in grade school because I tested high in math tests and I can tell you I suffer greatly from early exposure. I can't do simple math in my head.

I think introducing kids to technology at an early age stunts their mental development because it makes them lazy. All they have to do is punch in stuff into a machine and it spits out a number. I think that kids need to go through all the tough calculations to gain not only a better understanding of what they are calculating, but also it helps in their overall development.

There was a recent study on college students and I don't remember the specifics, but the jist of the study was that a significant amount of college students can't calculate simple finances.

If I can help it, I'm going to make my kids do stuff the hard way. No spell checking programs, they have to use a dictionary, and NO calculators. It's hard these days because kindergartners are being taught how to use calculators and grade school kids are learning how to put together powerpoint presentations. Whatever happened to developing drawing skills and developing the artistic part of the brain?