Any Lego "kit" will give your child the same challenge: here's a bunch of building material, what can you do with it? Mindstorms presents the same challenge it just adds programmability and sensory input. At a certain stage in development programming is an excellent activity, but the physics aspect of learning is the same with Mindstorms as it is with standard Legos. What I have seen with Mindstorms is that when used by children who can use it independently it is an excellent product. However, in many cases there is so much parental "assistance" and input needed that the child becomes simply an observer.

I think a more accessible way to offer a child an exposure to the type of abstract thinking involved with programming would be to teach your child how to play chess. Four and five year olds will take to chess quite quickly, (especially gifted children).

Patrick

Thanks Patrick. Both the girls do play chess and enjoy it. I'm considering purchasing the homeschool NXT kit which also comes with a CD-Rom course. The idea would be to have them do it independently. I was thinking the programming would be the newer(and hopefully fun!) challenge for them. It is very expensive, however. I appreciate your opinion as I don't want to spend the money only to find out it's not what I was expecting.

Incogneato - I answered your question under the LEGO MINDSTORMS thread.

My son taught himself chess at 4yrs old and loved it. He still loves to play. My just turned 5yr old just started but I don't play w/ him as often b/c of the baby.