Youngest pupils enjoying Little Tikes computers

JEFF GRANIT staff Myra Doughty, a case manager for a special needs class, observes Jason Ortigoza, 5, work at a Little Tikes computer station at the Freehold Learning Center, Freehold Borough. The borough's school district recently received 10 of the Young Explorer computers from IBM. For a story by staff writer Clare Marie Celano, see page 14. FREEHOLD - The Freehold Borough School District's earliest learners can now be known as "young explorers" after receiving a special gift from IBM.

Preschool pupils at two locations are the recipients of 10 new Young Explorer computer systems made by Little Tikes. Teachers and students are enjoying the educational resource the system offers.

The Young Explorer, which is a self-contained computer work station, includes a chair for two children to sit comfortably on and will do just what designers had in mind - prepare these youngest pupils for the educational world they are moving into, according to Park Avenue Elementary School Principal Joe Jerabek.

According to Jerabek, the gift of 10 Little Tikes computers came as a result of his working relationship with the staff at Children's Services of Monmouth County. Jerabek said he worked with the agency to create a reading program which brings senior citizens into the schools to read to children.

The principal said he was contacted by representatives of the agency and asked if he could use the computers. Needless to say there was no hesitation when he responded "yes."

Children's Services of Monmouth County works with United Way, which in turn works with IBM, and those connections provided the opportunity for the new computers to be delivered for the benefit of the school district's youngest learners.

The 10 Young Explorer stations were divided between the two locations where borough children attend preschool, the Freehold Learning Center elementary school and the First Presbyterian Church, where the district rents space for preschool classes.

The Young Explorer computer is technology, but it's wrapped in a package that can't help drawing little ones to it.

Crafted in vivid primary colors of blue, red and yellow, and looking indestructible, the computer entices children because for all intents and purpose it appears to be a great fun toy. That's the idea - to help children learn to explore the world of technology, without fear, in a way they can understand, one that appeals to their innate nature to play.

Each Young Explorer station retails for $2,125. The unit features a desk area with a mouse pad, a learning board keyboard and a bench seat that fits two children. The computer is Internet compatible.

Jerabek said the computers arrived in October. He said IBM sent a team of volunteers to install them.

Thomas G. Hanlon, a project executive for IBM Global Services who works in the Monmouth County area, said he was very pleased with the response of IBM employees who did not hesitate to respond to his request for volunteers to install the computers in the Freehold Borough schools.

"I sent out an e-mail for volunteers to help and received 50 quick responses," Hanlon said. "I only needed 12 (volunteers). In fact, many were disappointed that they could not be part of the project. It's really good for people to be able to help others, especially children. On a day-to-day basis these people work side by side, solving complex business problems, and here they were, out of character, networking in a very different venue and using hammers and screwdrivers. It was a day full of smiles."

According to Freehold Learning Center Principal Donna Johnson, the teachers in her building could not be happier about being the recipients of these very special gifts.

"The best use of these computers is in our preschool handicapped and autistic classes," Johnson said, noting that many of these children are communication impaired and the computer is a perfect resource to help them learn language skills.

Johnson said Pat Spracklen, who teaches the children in the autistic class, has incorporated the computers into her teaching program with wonderful results.

"The computer helps those children who cannot even hold a pencil," the principal said. "Some children may not be able to answer a question verbally, but can do so with a computer by clicking on a picture."

Spracklen said her pupils love the computers. She said many of the children she teaches learn visually.

"Because of this fact the computers are very enticing to them. They look at the screen and they follow directions," she said.

She also referred to the children who are auditory learners, stating that the sound effects the computer provides are very motivational for her students.