The Cat in The Hat Hosts U.S. Kids Compute!

Posted on December 22, 1998

The Learning Company, Inc., with the help of The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and various participating sponsors and partners announced today the launch of the U.S. Kids Compute! site and campaign. The purpose of the campaign and website is to make the public aware of the way computers affect learning by young children. Hosted by CKidsNet, the Seussian-style website will provide activities to increase their computer skills. Their scores earn points that cumulatively result in the acquisition of 10,000 CD-ROMs to be donated to needy kids via community organizations.

"The goals of the campaign are to educate and involve kids and families about learning with computers, and to improve access to software for children who might not have computers at home," said First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, during remarks on Dec. 1, 1998, the day of the campaign launch.

As with reading, computer literacy takes root in the home. There are a number of powerful initiatives on the website to enable parents to participate in this process. The Computer Literacy 101 section provides a directory of useful websites. The FAQ section answers basic home site computer questions. The Practical Tips area contains documents for parents and educators to download, such as an age-appropriate "Computer Skills Checklist"; "How to Set Up the Optimal Kid's Computer Environment at Home"; "How to Select Early Learning Software for Kids 3-8." A white paper entitled "Kids Computing at Home" provides insight from industry experts.

By participating in the site's Challenge Center, families will engage in several fun activities which will help to improve and develop their computer literacy skills. As they complete the activities, they will help less fortunate children increase their computer literacy as well, by causing software to be donated to community organizations across the country. With activities for children ages 2 and up, the website challenge will run from Dec. 15, 1998 through March 2, 1999.