Microsoft Canada: Web Clicks With Canadian Parents
Microsoft survey shows moms spending more time with kids on their PCs
Mississauga, ON (PRWEB) March 3, 2006
With March break fast approaching, parents are starting to plan out activities that will keep their kids entertained during the week. Whether it’s a trip to the local museum or an organized play group, what’s important is spending time together and keeping busy.
Weather permitting, kids and parents will be outdoors but in case of rain, parents should look to the home computer to help combat indoor boredom. In fact, in a recent survey for Microsoft Canada, 94 per cent of online mothers believe that the PC and Internet has had a positive impact by allowing them to get involved in their child’s interests, which is perfect for days best spent indoors.
In the survey, online moms indicated that they spend an average of 3.6 hours a week with their kids on the PC with the majority of the time spent helping them with homework (65%), playing educational online games (64%) and surfing the Internet in general (50%).
To help make the most of this time with your kids, moms should keep the following in mind:
Use free online homework sites: Often it’s hard to remember just how long it took to learn long division and moms sometimes need pointers on how best to help kids with homework. Homework help tips can be found online; one great resource is www. kidsource. com.
Learning should be fun: Online games are a great way to learn and develop new skills. Check out Word Whomp(TM) a free game that gets kids excited about spelling www. microsoft. com/windowsxp/using/games/getstarted/onlineclassics. mspx (http://www. microsoft. com/windowsxp/using/games/getstarted/onlineclassics. mspx).
Surfing together: The Internet is a big place and there are many great sites to check out with your kids. Microsoft Home Magazine, for example, (www. microsoft. com/Canada/Home (http://www. microsoft. com/Canada/Home)) is a great one-stop resource for a list of recommended kid-friendly Web sites. Why not try www. dustbunny. com which offers Astronomy For Kids and is filled with images, sky maps and planet e-postcards they can send to friends.
Whether academic or playful, taking the time to find out what your kids are interested in and intrigued by is important. Using the computer to make that connection is an easy and enjoyable way to rediscover common interests and have fun.
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