Meet Your Computer 🖥️
What You'll Learn
- What a computer is and why we use them
- The three main types of computers
- How computers help us every day
What Is a Computer?
A computer is a smart machine that helps us do things! Computers can play music, show pictures, help us learn, and even let us talk to our friends and family far away.
Computers follow instructions that people give them. When you click a button or type a letter, you are giving the computer an instruction!
The first computers were as big as a whole room! Today's computers are small enough to fit in your backpack.
Three Kinds of Computers
Computers come in different shapes and sizes. Here are the three kinds you see most often:
- 🖥️ Desktop computer — sits on a desk. Has a big screen and a box called the tower.
- 💻 Laptop computer — folds open like a book. You can carry it anywhere!
- 📱 Tablet — flat like a thin book. You touch the screen with your finger.
Can you spot a computer near you right now? Is it a desktop, laptop, or tablet?
Computers Help Us Every Day
Think about all the ways computers help people:
- 🎮 Playing fun games
- 📺 Watching videos and cartoons
- 📚 Learning new things at school
- 📞 Talking to grandma and grandpa on a video call
- 🎨 Making drawings and art
- 🎵 Listening to music
Ask a grown-up for a piece of paper and some crayons. Draw the computer you are using right now!
- Draw the screen (the part you look at).
- Draw the keyboard (the part you type on) — if your computer has one.
- Draw the mouse — if your computer uses one.
- Give your computer a name and write it on your drawing!
1. What is a computer?
2. Which of these is a laptop computer?
3. Which of these is something a computer can help you do?