Ready, Set, Click!

When my two-year-old was ready to start clicking on Elmo and friends, I found that his hands were too small to control the mouse. Additionally, with the scroll button, back button and left and right click buttons doing different things, learning to click was a complex process for a toddler.

Enter the Kidzmouse, a mini-mouse created for children ages 2-10. Smaller in size than a "normal" computer mouse, the Kidzmouse fits comfortably in my toddlerz palm. While it has 2 buttons (a left- and right-click), I was able to program the mouse so that all buttons act as left clicks. Rather than a tap, the buttons wrap around the mouse and work with a squeeze, the same way a child's hand works.

We use the optical mouse, one that uses laser technology and does not require a mouse ball. It connects with a USB to your computer, allowing your "adult" mouse to work at the same time. Ours came with a CD-rom that contains an educational game. Perfect for learning the use of the mouse (and for some educational-entertainment a little different than turning on the TV.)

Kidzmouse is available at Ergoguys, where the Pooh mouse with software is only $14.95!

Please note: If you order the optical mouse, you will need a mouse pad or wooden surface, as optical mice generally do not work on plastic or glossy surfaces (especially white surfaces).