Test Drive: Kidzmouse

Kidzmouse
A mouse for kid-sized hands
Kidzmouse, Inc. 177 Bovet Road, Suite 600, San Mateo, CA 94402. 888-503-5439. www.kidzmouse.com. $23.95 (Mac and PC)

Kidzmouse is a computer mouse designed especially for youngsters ages two to ten. In February, I reviewed the LittleFingers keyboard, which was designed for the smaller hands of a young child. The LittleFingers keyboard had a built-in trackball that some students had difficulty maneuvering. So it was with great interest that I picked up my first Kidzmouse.

Most mice marketed for children are just adult mice with cute designs printed on them. However, the Kidzmouse is designed to be easier for children to use than a regular computer mouse. About three-fourths the length of a regular mouse, the Kidzmouse has a higher arch and shorter base to fit into the palm of a small hand. The usual tapping motion of an index finger is difficult for some children who are just developing fine muscular control. Students squeeze the head of the Kidzmouse—a more natural motion than tapping for young children, according to Kidzmouse developer Susan Giles—rather than tap a button with their finger. The Kidzmouse comes in three colorful species: bumblebee Benjie Bee, a ladybug named Cool Bug, and a cute rodent named Molly Mouse.

I tested out my Kidzmice on a first grade class. All the kids were attracted to the cute designs. One student commented, "It fits my hand more better." Using a Kidzmouse, however, is no substitute for teaching students good computer habits. All computer users, young and old, need to be taught to change their hand position regularly and to take occasional breaks when using computers to avoid developing repetitive stress syndrome.

Those working with younger students in computer labs or classrooms should definitely consider the Kidzmouse. It's an affordable replacement mouse, or simply a valuable addition to your computer gear.