Ipad Mini or Kindle?

[smilesandsun]

Any recommendations on what you feel is the better choice for dyslexic boy to read on? If we got the mini we would disable the internet etc.

thanks

[adoptmama]

I have a Kindle and an iPad with the kindle app. I much, much prefer the iPad as a reader. It swipes to turn pages, rather than clicking the side bar and you get colour which is much nicer with children's books. I have an iPad and a mini and would definitely say the mini for kids as it is much easier to handle. I also like the fact that on the iPad kindle app you can highlight text (in a variety of colours) and take notes, so for older children reading for school projects this is very helpful. I love my kindle - but iPad does do a better job I think. My 6 year old DD has suspected dysgraphia and dyslexia. She loves using the iPad (feels grown up and finds it easier to use than the Kindle). She likes the fact you can display the books as a grid with an image of the front covers. Helps her find what she needs, especially as it is in colour not black and white. We have also found some useful apps, like IndexCard which are helping her with planning her written work and remembering what she wanted to write. I find the whole system works well for her.

[smilesandsun]

thanks adopt mama,

I had been told that the kindle is more difficult to read from with glare versus the kindle. Do you think that is an issue?

Thank you for highlighting all the benefits that you have found.

[adoptmama]

iPad mini doesn't - I think - have the retina display whatever you call it that iPad has so there is a difference in how the screen feels on your eyes. I do notice more of a 'pull' if I switch between iPads (I can feel the iPad is easier on the eye than the mini). I haven't tried the new paperwhite kindle so can't compare with that but I personally think the grey screen kindle is not good for a dyslexic child to read from; it is too dark and if the dyslexia makes what they are reading 'jump' or 'move' around, or they find it hard to keep their place on the line etc then I do not think the kindle helps. I can only say, for me, that I personally never found the glare a problem and DD has never complained it felt bad or difficult. I also think if your child benefits from reading with a coloured overlay, as benefits some dyslexic children (am a teacher too, and see some kids benefiting from this), then this works better over the iPad screen as it makes the kindle too dark. I think the benefits of adding apps for dyslexia friendly dictionaries etc are also great and boost the ipad over the kindle. Basically it can do everything the kindle can, and more.

[sashh]

I'm dyslexic and love my kindle because it isn't bright, I don't get the 'star burst' effect on it (mine's an old keyboard one).

I think it is quite an individual things so might be worth having son try them out.

Mine also has the option for the book to be read to you which I'm sure the ipad could do.

You can put kindle software on virtually any computer / mobile phone so try them out as well.

One of my friends, who is also dyslexic, finds smaller screens easier, he only found that out when I got him some classic books to read on his DS.

[smilesandsun]

thanks both, great things for me to look into and test out on both devices

[Tuhlulah]

Could you not get him to check them both out, as they are for him? Only he can know what is better for him? If it's a gift, could you tell him you've been asked to help a friend who has a dyslexic child, and you are using him for a guinea pig? Or some other such lie?

I love my iPad; son has a Nook with light. I prefer to read on iPad. You can adjust light settings and even turn screen black with white print, but I'm not dyslexic!

If screen size is an issue, there is ipad mini.

[mumeeee]

What about a a Kindle fire. I've got one and fine it very good.