A new computer mouse and a little green bike

Many years ago, when computers were starting to make their entrance in people's households, and educational software wasn't much more then a click, wait and watch application, my husband was introducing the computer to our eldest, Femke, who was three at the time. We had just installed Mercer Mayer's "Grandma and Me" software, a Living Book application (remember those?). Femke, who is now sixteen, was sitting on her dad's lap, staring at the computer screen. He was showing her the computer mouse and explaining how it moves across the screen and how you can click it and something will happen. When finished with his "lesson", he looked at her in anticipation and asked, "and what does the mouse do?" and Femke said: "peep, peep", hopped off and walked off to play. Now, fourteen years later, with one or more computers in people's homes, I don't think a three year old will give a similar answer.

Esmee, our youngest, who is six, has her own computer. We didn't go out and buy her one, she has been given our old computer when we upgraded to a new one, as happens in many households these days. Yesterday Esmee got a new computer mouse. It is pink, half clear ("mum, you can see inside it"), it is illuminated and it lights up red when in use. Even I have to admit it looks really awesome. Esmee has been excited about it all day, telling everybody around her about her new computer mouse. I have been observing this excitement from a distance and can't help but reminisce about the time when I was six years old and what it was that I got excited about then. It certainly wasn't a computer mouse. What I vividly remember from being six years old is my bike. I remember the moment the training wheels came off and my father's strong hands where holding me while I was learning to ride my bike. I remember when I rode the first few meters on my own. I remember the sense of pride and feeling of achievement when I finally could ride my bike without holding the handlebars with my hands, I had practiced for weeks. I was so proud of my bike that I looked after it for many years to come. As a matter of fact, I still look after it right now. I took this little bike with me all across the world when we moved. All our three children learned to ride on this little bike. I love my bike. Will Esmee feel the same about her "awesome" computer mouse in years to come? Will she practise for weeks, feel a sense of achievement, be proud and build confidence? Will she look after her mouse, carry it with her and share it with her children? Most likely not. Then, what will give her a sense of pride, a feeling of achievement and build her confidence?

Camiel, then 8 years old, on my good old little green bike.

Like many children today, Esmee likes to watch tv and play on the computer. Because she has readily access to both of them, it is important that we, as parents, monitor and guide her screentime. Although she got a new computer mouse yesterday and certainly spent time on the computer to try out her new mouse, she spent most of the day outside in the garden, digging, watering, looking for worms and snails, caring for our pets, playing, running, climbing and exploring. She joined us in the spa pool at night to do some stargazing and to listen to the morepork (native owl). Esmee is growing up in a world of digital technology and virtual communication and socialising. This world is here to stay. We hope that by exposing her to the natural world at a young age, she will grow up with an appreciation for nature, that she will love the outdoors and that she will be able to to find the right balance in her life when grown up, where she feels at ease in both the indoors and outdoors world. Most of all, we hope that her outdoor adventures will provide her with opportunities that will give her a sense of pride, a feeling of achievement and build her confidence, just like my little green bike did for me many years ago.


To guide and combine Esmee's love for computers, storytelling and her outdoor activities I have set up a blog for her. Esmee "writes" at the Apple Kid, where she shares her view on the natural world around her.