For me it was games on a computer. Learned how to use the keyboard, mouse, and later troubleshoot shit that was not working because I really wanted to play a game.
It's small things like "oh I can take a screenshot, hmm where does the screenshot go?" and that's how you learn to navigate files and folders etc.
Definitely videogames
I started with a VIC-20 at twice that age. In the 80s computers were viewed as somewhat magical, a bit scary. Took a 2-week summer camp on programming BASIC and two things they told us made me feel way better.
You can't physically destroy the computer typing at the keyboard. I took that to mean no matter how badly I screwed up, the problem could be unscrewed.
It's a dumb machine, no brains, period. That means you are in control of it. Some people could use that lesson today. 🫤
Is there such a thing as a kid that dreads playing games on a computer?
Add a game controller and some games. My kid loves stardew valley and roblox
watching parent play videogames, touching screen to make effects, being asked to play using one part of the controls (like "you control movement, i look around. now lets switch") asking how they'd make all caps letters after showing them how the shift key works
I don't know if this is a good idea, but I've been thinking of the idea of giving an old air-gapped computer with Linux to a potential young child of mine.
Therefore, they can tinker around, play with educational software, maybe even learn some terminal stuff, all without the dangers of the Internet.
oregon trail
I'm ancient, but I learned both to use the computer and English when I started gaming on the family Amiga at around age 6. My fondest memories were of adventure games like King's Quest and Space Quest, which incidentally required decent command of English.
There's tons of more modern and kid-friendly adventure games out there nowadays, but the principle stands.
6? Go play and live doing fun things.
Computers/video games/tablets/tv that all can wait.
https://www.amazon.com/Coding-Games-Scratch-Step-Step/dp/1465477330
Look for it at the local library
Take away his other toys lol
Idk what got me into it, but I do remember that I would frequently play around with MS Paint at my mom's workplace when I was very young. I don't remember how frequent my trips to her job were, but obviously I didn't have anything else to do while there. So when we finally got our own computer at home, I immediately knew what I wanted to do on it. From that point I would start learning more and more.
I don't have kids, but lots of young children in my family. I've tried getting them into computers too, but they also seem scared of them. I think where I went wrong was trying to show off all the cool things it can do too quickly, as they might have gotten intimidated by the arcane rituals I did to make them happen.
Regarding games, idk. My first exposure to games was on consoles, and I didn't play any PC games until we got internet at home and I stumbled across flash sites. I remember spending WAY more time looking for funny videos/animations than games.
So... I have no real suggestions, just a few personal anecdotes.
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