ipod touch (or any other hand-held device) as a Christmas present: conundrum??

[Podgygooner]

My daughter is six and has asked Santa for an ipod touch (which I believe is some sort of hand-held games/music device.

My wife is quite keen to give her this but I have some reservations, however.

My daughter is an only child so I am quite keen to avoid her going into her own little world around the house. When I say to my wife that she will soon get bored of the games, she replies that she will still have the music to listen to: I do not find the image attractive of her sitting there with headphones and not engaging with us. She is doing well at school and enjoys reading so I would much rather see her sat there with a book in her hands. Her maths isnt great so I would also rather she focused on that in her spare time.

My questions are: am I asking/expecting too much; would there be a more suitable age for her to get an ipod touch; are there more educational devices out there; and, how do I say to her mother: 'NO' ?

Answers and/or opinions please to the Daddy.

[AuntieShirley]

Weeeellllll, I wouldn't give a 6 year old an ipod. No way. If you start giving such expensive gadgety gifts now, what are you going to do when she is 16?
My dh and I have had the same conversations many times, and agreed not 'til secondary school.
How about a nice CD player with some new CD's and some family board games. I would have the same reservations as you about too much time being spent alone on the ipod.
You could of course limit it to 30 minutes a day or something, but it is an awful lot of money to spend for 30 minutes a day!
BUT, I am not very technologically minded at all, and would rather have a pen and paper/read a book, so I am probably not the best person to give advice!

[MikeLitoris]

Firstly she can get educational apps on an ipod. She can get the kindle app too so can read on it.

Your concerns about her isolating herself seem ott to me. Surely it is common sense to just limit the time she can have the ipod? She must spend time alone now reading etc: i dont see the difference.

But tbh i wouldn't bother with an ipod, over priced for what it is.

I would get her a small tablet, yiu van get some designed just for children. Dd2 js having the nabi 2.

I also dont buy into 'just get them something small, what will you get them aged 16' etc. Im pretty sure there will plenty of new gadgets brought out in the next 10 years.

[claraschu]

I think the longer you hold off on screens, the more chance children have of ending up passionate about drawing, reading, a musical instrument, and other activities that take a bit more of an effort to get addicted to.

I think not many people agree with me, and obviously kids who use lots of computers and other screens can be incredibly creative too.

Maybe I am an old crank, but I think holding off on such things a little increases a child's chances of pursuing other interests, especially if the parents take the time to be involved. The problem is that computers are so easy and instantly gratifying.

Why not give her: a top notch set of acrylic paints, good brushes and real canvasses; a beautiful old desk with lots of cubby holes stocked with paper, pens, and fun school supplies; a child size guitar and some lessons; an old computer and a set of tools to take it apart and make a junk sculpture out of; whatever you think would appeal to her particular taste.

[MikeLitoris]

And you dont say NO to her mother. You have a discussion and come to an agreement. Why do you have the right to say NO if she doesnt have the right to say YES?

[InNeedOfBrandy]

My ds had one for his 5th birthday, he still loves the games, the music, educational apps and phonics, kindle app and audio books to listen to before bed. Oh and he loves the camera and video recorder.

[stealthsquiggle]

Ipod touch is the object of desire for a lot of DC. My DS got one for his 10th birthday. It can be educational, he watches iplayer on it, and listens to music, as well as playing with various apps. You can get loads of age appropriate apps, educational and otherwise.

Just because she has one it doesn't mean she has to be permanently "plugged in" by any means - that is up to you as parents. I have a horror of DC being rooted to handheld devices during family meals and the like, but DS knows there are limits.

I think you need to listen to her mother's point of view.

[olibeansmummy]

There are tons of educational apps i think its the mist genuinely educational electronic device, certainly better than a leappad or nintendo ds. And children do need some time to themselves. I'd get her one personally and in fact my 3 year old is doing phonics on his right now :)

[stealthsquiggle]

OP: Tell me ipods are evil and support me in over ruling my wife

MN: Nope. They're quite cool really. Other tablets are available. Plus you're not the boss.

OP:

[MikeLitoris]

I probably scared him off with my crap spelling.

[MrsDimples]

You can get books on iPod touches and loads of educational apps.
It's really easy to set the parental controls on it.

[Podgygooner]

Thanks all, all good points (even Mr Litoris's!).

[pigsinmud]

Well, my 6 & 8 year old dds share an old iPod touch. Very useful - downloaded a few games, have audio books on it.

One plays clarinet & piano and reads obsessively and the other draws a lot and has just started the trumpet.

I don't think an iPod or my ipad when they can get it has damaged their creative sides. I don't think your 6 year old will turn in to my 14 year old overnight - he walks around the house plugged in to his iPod

[MarianForrester]

iPod touches are great. My dcs have them, and they are fun and can be "educational" too. Your wife is right

[MamaPizza]

DS got one for his 3rd birthday and it was a great buy. There are only educational apps on it and some songs that he loves from Disney movies. He has learnt so much from it already. Maths, phonics, puzzles - you name it, he got it all. Time is limited obviously, but when he plays I am amazed at how quickly he is picking up on things.

[fuzzpig]

I have an old iPhone and iPad (given by a very generous friend when he upgraded) and they are fantastic. There are loads of great apps and my DCs both play on them.

I wouldn't get them their own device at that age though as I don't see it as necessary - I'd still limit time on it, so they may as well just use the devices we already have.

Maybe I'd feel different if we had the money for it :)

[Podgygooner]

Thanks all. Decided that the ipod touch might encourage our little one to be a bit too introvert so will probably go for something that we can enjoy as a family, use as a family, (afford as a family) and something that she can still play her games on when shes being good. So going for the Google Nexus 7 tablet instead.

[MikeLitoris]

Good call podgy

I'm sure your dd will love it.