6 year olds and iPads...

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Replies

  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    My daughters have electronics but they're used with supervision. If they had an i-pad it wouldn't be in their room. (my kids are 16 & 19 and the only things in their rooms that plug in is a clock radio) I don't think many people realize the value of learning these tools at an early age. My oldest started using my computer when she was 4. She learn a great deal of things. My youngest has excelled at power point since middle school and has always gotten A's in power point projects. Our friend's son is in 4th grae and is doing animated films because he had access to a computer at an early age. It's never a disadvantage to expose young children to electronics. The nurses at my doctor's office use similar things for their reports and they hate using them because they don't know how. Many schools will soon be utilizing i-pad type of electronics in school, this 6 yr old will have advantage because like it or not, this is where society is at.

    I would get the Samsung instead of the I-pad, though. Better quality and cheaper.
  • ElizaRoche
    ElizaRoche Posts: 2,005 Member
    I know lots of kids that have tablets or iphones...

    Parents with more money than common sense.
  • sophiemama
    sophiemama Posts: 62 Member
    I'm not gonna lie my two year old uses our Ipad more than we do (we personally did not pay for it, it was a gift for my husband from his dad) but hey keeps her quiet on long car rides so I don't see why it matters. I mean parents can do a lot worse things to their kids than this
  • Go for it and get the heavy duty case for it.

    Here is one: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ecd9/?rkgid=275668648&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&gclid=CJqsrbW9uLMCFYZM4AodLE8Aiw

    Here are some other possibilities: http://noahsdad.com/best-ipad-case-kids-toddlers-babies/ (I didn't know there was more than a couple kinds!)

    My kids are 2,3,4 and have Nooks (they are the PERFECT size for them), an old android phone (perfect for the baby), and also 2 HP touchpads that we found for $99 that we put android on.

    I would never spend $600 on an ipad, but maybe the new size, or an older version of it. And when they go to bed, its ALL YOURS :)
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Next year, we will start issuing all our students (high school) iPads. Some of our feeder schools heard that, and now want to issue their middle school kids iPads so they'll be ready for high school. Won't be long before parents are wanting to get their younger kids one to get them ready for middle school....

    Our city and county school use ipads now, rather than books. They are rigged so that only the smart, geeky kids can break through them for access. Most only work with the school wifi.
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
    Is the money coming out of my pocket? If not, I don't have a say in the matter. More important things in life to worry about than a 6 year old and an iPad.
  • BrieLP
    BrieLP Posts: 300 Member
    um sure buy my kid an Ipad... I will just keep it in my possession :bigsmile:
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    We have a "family" iPad which I bought second hand, and came in a very durable leather case. It's been dropped and is fine. The iPad is for everyone to use, including the 6 year old and the 3 year old, with supervision.

    To be honest, the 6 yo liked it fine for a while, but then grew bored of it. It's not an ideal educational tool, IMHO. And 6 is too young to be surfing the internet at large. Mine doesn't even know about the web browser.

    It hasn't been a problem, but it also didn't keep the kids engaged for very long.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member

    Next year, we will start issuing all our students (high school) iPads. Some of our feeder schools heard that, and now want to issue their middle school kids iPads so they'll be ready for high school. Won't be long before parents are wanting to get their younger kids one to get them ready for middle school....
    Our city and county school use ipads now, rather than books. They are rigged so that only the smart, geeky kids can break through them for access. Most only work with the school wifi.

    It's good for kids to be learning how to use these things before they are required to. My son is excellent with math, reading and a hell of an artist and he isn't even in Kindergarten yet. Some he has learned from crafts and workbook but a TON of this he has learned from educational apps.

    My parents each have an ipad and my 5 year old son plays on it. He usually watches a netflix movie on the bed with it when the adults are watching tv. He has his own ipod touch, which I love because it keeps him entertained in the car on trips. Plus, he can blast MCR and Panic! at the Disco all he wants in his headphones and I don't have to hear it.
  • Well, my nephew bought his daughter (at 7) a iPad and that kid is all over it. He bought a screen protector and she has had it for about 1 1/2 years now. She is extremely proficient, can play all kinds of learning games and very ambidextrous using the 'toy'. It is her 'toy' of choice. Just 'fix' it so that they can't download games that can cost you an arm and a leg ... only took him once and he learned a valuable lesson (he wouldn't listen lol). Anyway, she got her's over the summer and the teachers said she was so much more alert and able to move around on the computers at school that she had the other kids following her leads. Just our experience.
  • _kannnd
    _kannnd Posts: 247 Member
    I know lots of kids that have tablets or iphones...

    Parents with more money than common sense.

    Just because you get your kid a phone, does not mean that you have no common sense.
  • I have one, but my 3yr old uses it more than I do. I bought the Kid Mode puzzles app, he does Dora puzzles on it. He loves puzzles! Bonus, we haven't lost a puzzle piece yet! I do not see how there is anything wrong with that, and I don't understand why people are so judgmental about children using technology. I think it's amazing.
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    Simple, if they have the money, let them.

    Seriously...why is this being questioned?:grumble: :noway:
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    its a great idea. so much better than the Leap Pad. my 5 year old niece has a Leap Pad but hardly ever uses it. She uses her parents Ipad mostly. much better games/apps etc...
  • cubizzle
    cubizzle Posts: 900 Member
    I have twin boys that aren't even 5 yet, and the iPad in our house is basically theirs. They play angry birds, work on their alphebet, do art, whatever they feel like app wise. They are always supervised, and only get an hour a day at the most, but those are just our parenting decisions. To limit your kids ability to interact with technology doesn't make you a better parent, it cripples your kids ability to use said technology. They still have tons and tons of books, and they still draw and color on paper daily, but they also get time to learn the technology of the day. We did buy a $70 cover for the thing so it's basically indestructable.
  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    The bonus of them having their own is they won't stumble on to what you've been up to and it's easier to block most of the Internet. If you opt for the leapwhatever, you're just throwing away $ because they out grow it. Investing in your kid's education is never a bad thing.

    We have both a tablet and I - pad. I like that the I-pad has a bigger screen, but I've never liked apple products. My computer runs Linux so both are kinda sub-par for me.
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    honestly, they are amazing learning tools. My 21 month old nephew can use an iPad on his own and knows how to open all his learning apps, my brother in-law got one of those covers for the home button, so he will grab your finger and make you push it when he wants to close the app. Granted the iPad isn't his of course, but he's already learning things way beyond his age level.
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    Alright, what apps would you all suggest for the 6 year old?
  • I'm in IT and work for a school district. Get the IPad. I have a grandson 4 and one 5 (will be 6 in December). The free educational games have been great. Both took to it like ducks in water. They do not even realize they are learning. A good example is the 123 Color HD. It is a paint by number app. They not only learn the colors, but learn numbers too. I was blown away. Where's My Water is another good game. It teaches them reasoning. It is an alligator that wants to shower. They have to get the water to him, some by erasing the dirt, other ways are by melting the ice. That is just 2 of many free apps that I have downloaded for the boys. The older one is really doing great in kindergarten. I do feel it was with the help of the apps. Also they are unable to download apps on their own. I have to put in my Apple ID and password for it to download. They love the IPad so much that I had to limit the amount of time they are on them. Like any tool, you have to monitor them.

    Our school district uses them as teaching tools at all levels with great success. Hope this helps.
  • ElizaRoche
    ElizaRoche Posts: 2,005 Member
    I know lots of kids that have tablets or iphones...

    Parents with more money than common sense.

    Just because you get your kid a phone, does not mean that you have no common sense.

    when the kid is 5 years old.. yes id say the parents dont have common sense.
  • _kannnd
    _kannnd Posts: 247 Member
    I know lots of kids that have tablets or iphones...

    Parents with more money than common sense.

    Just because you get your kid a phone, does not mean that you have no common sense.

    when the kid is 5 years old.. yes id say the parents dont have common sense.

    And you don't know the reasoning behind it. Should most 5 year olds have one? No. But there are situations where it might be needed. Do you think that me giving my 7 year old means I have no common sense? Probably so. I have my reasoning though and don't really care what others think. You shouldn't really pass judgement on what others do.
  • Becoming_A_Butterfly
    Becoming_A_Butterfly Posts: 2,534 Member
    After seeing what adults being attached to cell phones and tablets has done to how they speak and write, I can't get behind children with ipads or phones.
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    After seeing what adults being attached to cell phones and tablets has done to how they speak and write, I can't get behind children with ipads or phones.

    More adults need tools to help train them to think logically and critically.
  • tashjs21
    tashjs21 Posts: 4,584 Member
    "What? No. Get him a book and an etchasketch."

    ^^Wins

    Plus, I'm not a fan of kids having nicer toys than ME

    ^ This! :indifferent:
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    my 4.5 and 2.5 year olds love using mine. I have to fight them for it on weekends just so I can read the paper lol.
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    How did we ever survive as children without iPads, DS, PS etc?.... Man. Must've been a third world country then.
  • _kannnd
    _kannnd Posts: 247 Member
    After seeing what adults being attached to cell phones and tablets has done to how they speak and write, I can't get behind children with ipads or phones.

    More adults need tools to help train them to think logically and critically.

    I so agree with this.
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    How did we ever survive as children without iPads, DS, PS etc?.... Man. Must've been a third world country then.

    Why not use every tool at your disposal to help your children along in life?
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    I'm on the fence. I think that it is a bit expensive for someone that young, unless they know how to respect fragile objects like that. Mostly, it looks like an accident waiting to happen. I would opt for something cheaper like a kindle or some other tablet. Those basically do the same thing without a camera. That is what I would do.
  • Angie_1991
    Angie_1991 Posts: 447 Member
    I'd say go for it...they are starting children in our schools in grade K on ipads.