Ipad for a toddler? Too young or alright?

[VioLetsMum1]

I get credits off my uni because we are of a low income. You put it towards printing, train fare or food etc. Recently I found out you could buy electronics off the uni, using your credits. I brought a new laptop as needed one for assignment and discovered they also sell Ipads. This woman at the uni help desk was trying to persuade me to get one as I need to use up all my credits by May and still have loads left. Went back home and discussed it with my mother. She thinks I should get it and give it to my 3 year old so she can learn how to use one and we can take in the car or when we go on holiday and stuff. I'm a bit worried she's too young though. I'm only 19 but consider myself a bit old fashioned when it comes to technology. I have my laptop, tv, phone thats all there is in our house in terms of it, because thats all we've needed. I've had loads of people give me a strange look when I say DD isn't going to be playing with technology and that I want her to play with her toys and colour and run around, you know stuff I used to do when I was a kid. Feel like I'm oppressing her from the modern world a bit though... all these other parents I speak to rave about how their DC loves their dvds in their bedroom and playing on little games consoles etc and how I should get with the times. Should I just give in to the Ipads and learn how to use one and teach her? One my work placement at a primary school the kids were all given an Ipad each by the head but I can see some of them have become addicted to it and are just disassociating with the world around them, even the ones in the nursery. This is one of the fears that I have if I get her one. I don't want her to just sit there playing on it and then if its taken away scream until I get it back like the kids at the school do.

[DrewsWife]

If it's not going to cost you. Get one. But for you not her. I think it's ok to play one or two games on it. But they still need imaginative play. Running about and pretending to be dinosaurs, princesses and horses.

No to tv in their bedrooms. No to DVDs too. Ok in small quantities but not longer.

You sound like a very cool mum. I had mine at your age and I wasn't half as grounded as you sound.

X

[LiberalLibertine]

I managed to hold off until ds was 5, then I got him a Wii, he now has a ds as well, but he would still rather pay football or go to the park given the choice.

Hold out as long as you can (so, until school basically :) )

[VioLetsMum1]

aw thank you. :) Been thinking about it going to try it for me. If I don't like then can easily get rid. Then maybe put some age appropriate stuff on for her for occasions. The main argument my mother is providing is that when we have our long haul flight in a month or so it might distract her for a bit. Dreading 9 hours with a three year old! ha

[bakingtins]

I would get one, but would never give ownership of it to the child. I have 3 and 7 year olds and our family ipad is password protected. There are some great games/apps on there for children, but we limit the time they are allowed to play on it.
They don't and won't have unlimited access to TV, computer or games consoles either. It's very easy to get them to understand that screen time is limited if you are consistent.
My 3 yr old particularly likes Hairy Letters, Magic Piano, Little Digits, Maths 3-5 and 4-6 and Cat physics.

[Frecklesandspecs]

My dh (a computer programmer) gave his old iPad to my eldest first and now she (4) and her sister (2.5) use it very well. Limit it and it should be fine. They learn so quickly.
My two like watching YouTube clips best. My eldest always watches clips of cake making and the younger clips of kinder eggs!!
Before I had kids (now have 3) I would have said no way, but tbh their whole worlds are going to be influenced much more than ours were by computers so it doesn't bother me too much.
I just make sure I know what they are doing and that they are not on it too much. I prefer this to them sitting in front of the tv watching the same old cbeebies tbh.

[321GoOutside]

We gave up TV and video games and it's the best thing we have ever done. It happened by accident, we moved and could get the ariel to work, and waited until we could sort out the roof. By then our life was so much better without. No fighting about screen time!! Boys play outside more, husband and I read more. Boys both very good readers for their age and school impressed. Both Grandparents have Ipads, so they can use it there (makes for easy babysitting).

[TheDayOfMyDoctor]

I would get one, but make it yours/family iPad rather than your DDs. With limits and appropriate monitoring, DC can use technology and play/run around etc. DS has one which he uses for all sorts of stuff (fun and/or educational) but most of his time is spent doing other stuff- playing, crafts etc. And they are very handy for travelling.

[whatsagoodusername]

Get it. Make it yours.

Load it with games and your DD's favourite shows for the flight. Your mother is absolutely right - ipads are a godsend on longhaul flights. Have done several, with two toddlers You'll need to get her headphones, too, or she won't be able to have sound on the plane, though.

Make it a treat and she'll still run around and do imaginative play.