Young children’s computer skills development from kindergarten to third grade

This investigation explores young children’s computer skills development from kindergarten to third grade using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten (ECLS–K) dataset. The sample size of the study was 8642 children. Latent growth curve modeling analysis was used as an analytical tool to examine the development of children’s computer skills using LISREL software version 8.80. Results indicated, not surprisingly, that the availability of a computer at home and a high socio-economic status were statistically significant predictors of children’s baseline computer skills in kindergarten. The availability of computers in kindergarten, however, was a statistically significant predictor of the development of children’s computer skills from kindergarten to third grade. Although there was no difference between girls and boys in their baseline computer skills in kindergarten, the rate of development in computer skills was higher for girls than boys. Results suggest that the availability of an adequate level of computers in kindergarten classrooms can help close the initial gap in children’s computer skills due to socio-economic status and lack of computer access prior to entering school. Supplying kindergarten classrooms with adequate computers could positively contribute to children’s long-term development of computer skills.

► Computer at home was a predictor of children's baseline computer skills ► High socio-economic status was a predictor of children's baseline computer skills ► Computers in kindergarten was a predictor of the development of computer skills ► There was no difference between girls and boys in their baseline computer skills ► The rate of development in computer skills was higher for girls than boys.