ALL Far Northern kindergartens should expose children to computers to prime them for the "technology buzz" sweeping the nation, an expert says.

Only a handful of Far Northern kindergartens use computers at their centres, a number needing growth according to computing and education specialist Neil Anderson.

Mr Anderson, a professor at JCU and education and technology leader for state-wide university research team Eidos, said all kindergartens should use computers.

Should children in kindergarten be taught to use computers?

"So much of today’s world is based on computers. By exposing them early you’re not just preparing them for school, but to survive in the real world," he said.

"Some kids have anxiety if they haven’t had any prior experience with computers when they enter primary school."

Mr Anderson recommended kindergartens use computers only as part of a range of activities for children.

Bayview Heights Community Kindergarten co-director Gayle Davies said her centre had two computers on which children spent about an hour and a half, two to three days a week. She also said children were responding well to their drawing, literacy, number, colouring and computer command programs.

Ms Davies said the computers did not have internet access.

A kindergarten, which did not want to be named, said it did not use computers, preferring physical and verbal activities.

The Office for Early Childhood Education and Care said state financial assistance was available for kindergartens to buy computers and to pay for day-to-day operation costs.

It also said it supported the use of computers in kindergartens.

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