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GIZMO PATROL
We have a generation of children growing up with computers, but the
computers are not necessarily designed with the small hands and limited
motor skills of preschool and elementary school children in mind.
KidzMouse , a California-based computer peripheral supplier, is trying
to make computers more attractive and easy to use for children 2 to 10 years
old by offering computer mice and other equipment that has been configured
and simplified for children.
Added most recently to the line are optical mice featuring popular
children's television characters such as Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street's
Elmo and Mickey Mouse. Some of the reviewer's grandchildren - two boys and
two girls from 4 to 7 years old - test drove a couple of the mice and loved
them.
The mice come with a standard USB plug and an adapter that allows them to be
connected to traditional pronged mouse ports.
They come with no software, but the test computers had no trouble
recognizing the devices as soon as they were plugged in.
The USB connection makes it convenient to simply move the adult-sized mouse
to the side and plug in the KidzMouse to a USB jack, since most recent
computers have at least one USB jack on the front of the unit. There is no
need to disconnect the original mouse for the smaller mouse to work.
Because the new KidzMouse models are optical they don't require a mouse pad;
instead of having rubber balls on their undersides, the mice sense motion
through a light that bounces off any surface under the mouse.
If you have any programs that are incompatible with optical mice, the
KidzMouse products may cause minor glitches.
In tests, the children were excited by the mouse designs, particularly the
SpongeBob SquarePants model. And they seemed to be more comfortable using
them than regular mice.
KidzMouse mice are about half the size of adult mice, and they're more
rounded. The buttons are broad and wrap around the sides of the mice so they
can be squeezed rather than being punched with a fingertip. The designer
says the squeezing motion is much easier for children whose motor skills are
still developing.
The optical KidzMouse line has a suggested retail price of $24.95 except for
the Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh versions, which come with educational
software and sell for $29.95.
The products are available online at www.kidzmouse.com or through major
retailers.
Photo Caption:
BLUE FROM 'BLUES CLUES' is just one of several cartoon character designs
available on KidzMouse computer mice. Also available is Mickey Mouse,
Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. The mice retail for $24.95 and
$29.95.
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