It seems that each time I walk into an Apple store the children’s computer setup has grown by another station or two. It also seems that each time I hit the Best Buy I notice more and more software being developed for Ages 2+. Now, call me slow but I don’t remember having the hand-eye coordination or the attention span to sit down at a computer at the ripe old age of 2. Wait….I don’t remember computers at 2. Perhaps that is the problem? Parents today are faced with a generation being born into a tech-centric world. Daycares now has scan cards for entry. Children carry cell phones so their parents can track them with GPS. One things hasn’t changed though. How much is too much? I thought since school had recently started up it would be a good time to discuss a few guidelines for managing kids and computers.

• Where to park it

It’s best to set up your “kid computer” in the vicinity of where the family hangs out — a common area such as the family room or kitchen. We may need to negotiate this with our privacy-craving teenagers, but for younger kids it just makes sense, because, well, we said so…We can also try to:

1. Talk with them about what they’re learning and join the fun.
2. Easily direct or rescue them when they’re having trouble.
3. Watch and monitor Web sites they visit (if they’re allowed on the Internet).
4. Make sure they have a proper chair and a monitor at the correct height, and check that other basic ergonomic standards are observed.

• Laptop or desktop?

The location question quickly leads to the discussion of laptop or desktop PC. Laptop portability offers convenience. But there are drawbacks. Do you want your 6-year-old connecting and disconnecting the machine and toting it around? I don’t. Will the Ergonomics Police break down your door when they hear your daughter on the floor with her laptop instead of at a proper table? Do we really want to add another argument about posture? And this doesn’t even get into the financial side of the debate!

• System requirements

I’ve heard it before. Here son. I got you this computer from a garage sale. I know it’s a little big and it may be a bit slow but it is perfect for your needs. HA! Students computing today need up-to-date hardware and software. You want a reliable and relatively new machine that can handle today’s memory-hungry, graphics-intensive programs. Any machine equipped to run an up-do-date operating system such as Windows Vista or Windows XP, or in the Mac OS X line, should be sufficicient.

• Kids’ software

Unlike a lot of TV programming for kids, computer software offers a wonderfully interactive way to learn. Heck, I even have fun with the makeover games where I can instantly revive my hair! But with programs that teach math, science, music, art, history, typing and foreign languages on the market, you can pretty much cover the entire school curriculum. “Edutainment” is the term often applied to kids’ programs because the emphasis is on making learning fun.

You may want to do some online research for quality software of even ask your child’s teacher for recommendations.

• Talk to your children

Make sure you communicate with your kids. The computer is not a digital babysitter. It knows no boundaries. Let the kids know what the rules are and what you expect. Set up parameters. Let them know that as they get older the rules may change a bit. Let them know you are proud of them and their ability to adapt to this technology and encourage them to engage their minds.