Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.

My son saw a private speech therapist (who is well respected in her field and head of her department) for two years. For the last 9 months she used her iPad very effectively as part of his therapy.

We spent the summer teaching my daughter who is in K to read. She was doing ok with the Bob books, but she really started to get it after I found her a few good phonics apps.

So yea. There's that.

There's a big difference between Angry Birds and therapeutic/instructional apps. So yeah, there's that.

Yes.

My son's OT commented to me that the research about the effects of electronics on developing brains and eyes is in its infancy, but that in general the consensus among OTs is that less is better.

Great way for kids to sneakily watch TV in their rooms after lights out, as I have sadly learned.

Anonymous wrote:I have to say, love the middle school teacher who can't spell dinosaur.

I have to say, love the middle school teacher who can't spell dinosaur.

My DC has Innotab -- a kid's tablet with plug-in games but not all the stuff of an IPAD & far cheaper. We have the original version from last year about $60 - but there is now a version 2 out.

Anonymous wrote:My point is you luddite dinosaurs act like its ALL Angry Birds and brain rotting games. Reality is, its not just a new fangled electronic nanny. It can be a tool for enrichment as well as fun. And you dont have to spend a ton of money on a tablet either. Mini droid tablets start at $199 new.

I'm a former middle school school teacher, currently tutoring children in upper elementary and middle grades. I'm also the parent of 3 kids in their teen and college years. There are definitely wonderful, enriching ways to use an ipad, but the reality is that most young kids end up playing a lot of Angry Birds. In my experience, electronics are significantly affecting kids' ability to concentrate, entertain themselves and tap into their imagination and creativity. Finally, do you really think it makes sense to give a kid a $200 present?

sign me -- a happy Luddite dinasaur

Also to the *cant concentrate crack*. My son when he first started st had a horrible time focus on tasks for long periods. One thing we worked on was getting him prek ready by teaching him to sit at a table and work. We really didnt see improvement in that regard until she introduced the iPad.

My point is you luddite dinosaurs act like its ALL Angry Birds and brain rotting games. Reality is, its not just a new fangled electronic nanny. It can be a tool for enrichment as well as fun. And you dont have to spend a ton of money on a tablet either. Mini droid tablets start at $199 new.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.

My son saw a private speech therapist (who is well respected in her field and head of her department) for two years. For the last 9 months she used her iPad very effectively as part of his therapy.

We spent the summer teaching my daughter who is in K to read. She was doing ok with the Bob books, but she really started to get it after I found her a few good phonics apps.

So yea. There's that.

There's a big difference between Angry Birds and therapeutic/instructional apps. So yeah, there's that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.

My son saw a private speech therapist (who is well respected in her field and head of her department) for two years. For the last 9 months she used her iPad very effectively as part of his therapy.

We spent the summer teaching my daughter who is in K to read. She was doing ok with the Bob books, but she really started to get it after I found her a few good phonics apps.

So yea. There's that.

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

1954 called. They said you can come back now.

I personally would not buy my kids any tablet, iPad or otherwise. If we had one, they could use it. But I wouldn't get them their own.

They have their entire adult life to be hooked on electronics. And tablets really aren't toys. They are allowed to use my iPhone on long trips, I think that's enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.

I do not understand people like you. Do you really think that buying a child an electronic toy means that the child won't read another book? We read tons of books in our house. Books are hands-down my child's favorite "toy." I don't think it's a problem to allow her to play with electronics from time to time. Please chill out.

Except for that in my experience, books and other toys become less exciting and are less frequently used/played with once they are fixated on our newest gadget. One Christmas my MIL got all the kids Nintendo DS's and they spent the rest of the day with their noses in those things. I realize it was Christmas Day and they were excited, but guess what? All my in-laws reported that it DIDN'T STOP and that there were constant battles about limiting the kids time with them. When they were put away they whined and complained and drove their parents crazy about them. No effing way I'm getting anything electronic for my 3.5 year old - not even the kiddie versions, which are practically the same but wrapped in cheap colorful plastic to make parents feel like it is a toy instead of what it really is - a computer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.

I do not understand people like you. Do you really think that buying a child an electronic toy means that the child won't read another book? We read tons of books in our house. Books are hands-down my child's favorite "toy." I don't think it's a problem to allow her to play with electronics from time to time. Please chill out.

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Get them a book.

+10

No wonder children (and adults) can't concentrate anymore.