The computer is highly attractive. The power of selecting and ordering CCS Activities and commanding them to start and stop at will is seductive for the young child. Just as new-found mobility can take over the life of a child learning to crawl or walk, freedom to work the computer is utterly compelling and provides its own motivation, regardless of content. Your little one wants to feel big, independent, and powerful, and using the computer demonstrates to your child that he has reached each of those goals. The only thing that might compete with the allure of using the computer is your attention.
Give your child time to feel in control of the computer, but continue to guide “Playing Music.” Invite your child to choose and click on which CCS Activity to do next, then engage with the recording and with your child. If you are involved in flowing movement, Dialogue and other CCS Activities, your child will have both the independence to command the computer and your attention. Your model will also give that little musician a greater repertoire of how to engage in CCS Activities without you.
Guiding your little one’s developing independence with the computer is a bit like teaching your child to drive. Your role is to make sure the driver knows how to manipulate the vehicle and make wise judgments about its use in accordance with your values. If you turn your driver loose with the computer with CCS Activities, there will likely be some reckless manipulation of every available button. In time, that little one will settle back into CCS—especially if doing so gets your attention and involvement.
There can be additional factors that might keep your little one from directly engaging with CCS Activities, lending more reason for the allure of the computer. Though your little one will comprehend the CCS Activities, that little musician may be to a point of knowing that his own tunefulness or rhythmicity is not precise. Some children want to “do it right,” and may choose to avoid rather than engage in the Activities. If “doing” the computer is more interesting than “doing” a CCS Activity, encourage your little one to simply listen to an Activity in full before clicking on another. What goes into that little musical mind is more important than what comes out.
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