Wwyd. Would you buy a kindle fire for a 2 year old?

[UmbongoUnchained]

Just out of interest.

[MephistoMarley]

No I don't think so. They are fairly cheap though so not a great risk if you do.

[mamapants]

No, I think I would consider a tablet from about 5 maybe.
I do know two year olds who have tablets though.

[mollie123]

no - unless the 2 year old can read and is interested in doing so. 2 year olds should be interested in colourful books IMO
wait a few years as these things (technology rubbish) are getting better/cheaper by the year

[PotteringAlong]

No

[Septbaby]

Nope!

[Stillunexpected]

No. Why would you?

[lanbro]

My 4 and 3 yr olds have Leappads and are occasionally allowed to use our tablets. I wouldn't buy a 2yo their own Kindle.

[arethereanyleftatall]

No.
Although I'm not sure exactly what that is, sounds gadgety.

[MiddleClassProblem]

No. My DD is 18 months and she loves board books and touching textures, opening flaps etc. You can't get that in a kindle. She does play games on my iPad but it's a very different thing

[dizzyfucker]

No

[P1nkP0ppy]

Dear god, the world's gone mad! Why on earth would a 2 year old want one?
What's wrong with books and crayons, paints and playdoh?
In a few years time there will be an AIBU about them always being on their iPads 😟
Sorry if IABU but I struggle to understand why toddlers need technology instead of imaginative toys etc.

[minisoksmakehardwork]

What's your reasoning for wanting to?

The kindle fire is great because a) its comparatively cheap at £50 and will allow them to use it for much, much longer than say a leap pad.

B) you can set a time and function limit so it automatically turns off after a set time and you can easily prevent it from accessing Internet/non-child friendly media.

But... Why does a 2yo need one of their own? At that age I was happy for mine to use my tablet occasionally.

The elder 2 turned 6 and 8 this year and have only just got their own kindle. The youngest are 4 and the only reason we are considering one for Xmas for them is because it will save fights over doing homework on the apps school use and because I can restrict its use better than I can on my iPad. Weirdly they are happier with the kindle suddenly switching off access when their time is up than by me setting a timer and removing it.

[Artandco]

No. I wouldn't get my 6 year old a tablet either

[Mrsantithetic]

We are having the same discussion but about my four year old.
Both my four year old and two year old play on my tablet probably more than I would like but not excessively. It's old and about had it so we are considering buying the four year old one for her birthday.

I have always hated children on them and it's kind of crept in. They do colour and play out it isn't their only form of entertainment but I have to admit I'm impressed with how both of them can navigate it. The games they play are educational (memory jigsaws etc) they have the actual physical version of these games too which they also enjoy.

I'm a bit of a tech phobe prefer books and it worries me how much is screen and computer based now but my dp had a point that this is what their generation will do. Like it or lump it schools are getting more technology now and as they grow it's going to get more and more so they are going to need to be able to use them properly and in a way they have a world of knowledge at their finger tips.

But I shudder at the thought. Im not there yet but if it's not used for endless YouTube kinder egg opening or peppa pig Im starting to think it might not be the end of the world.

off to stroke a book

[NotBadConsidering]

No. Literacy at that age doesn't develop from the reading of black words from a white page/screen. It develops from interaction, excitement, visual connection with a story and the associated pictures, the anticipation of what's on the next page. While the benefits of e-books over paper books for adults can be debated (personally I don't buy into their benefits), for me there is nothing that will ever replicate or should ever replace turning the pages of good paper book with a toddler snuggled up under your arm.

[UmbongoUnchained]

She plays on my ipad and navigates it surprisingly well. She has a few language apps on there that she uses as she is trilingual but myself and my husband work full time so she doesn't get to hear our spoken languages everyday so she plays on them when we are not there and her language is coming on so much better and can now converse in all 3 languages.
She hates books. Has never let me get past the first page of any book, but will read along with a story on the iPad and since playing on it has learnt a lot more vocabulary and her alphabet.
I am a bit torn but then I work in technology and love all things electronic and I think it's great as this is the generation for it. I'll have more of a think. I think she will hugely benefit from it but I do worry that other people will think I'm a shit parent.

[sh700]

This won't go down well but yes I did! We bought one for my DD shortly before her 3rd birthday. It was after DS came along and I'm afraid it does get used as a babysitter so I can shower/put him to sleep,etc. DH is a bit precious about his iPad getting sticky fingers on it. I like it because of all the parental controls and it was relatively inexpensive. Obviously we still do books, colouring, etc too. It doesn't replace all that stuff just another option.

[baringan]

I've never met a 2 year old that hates books.

[Crankyblob]

Yes I bought my one at 2 years (Black Friday deal and very cheap)

Reasons were because he has 4 much older siblings and was grabbing at their electronics so we got him the kids kindle version which has a free child's app. They also included free replacement should the screen crack or it break no questions asked.

We limit it to nusery rhymes and download movies for long journeys. It is fine. He by no means is left to his own devices and We sing all day from songs that he has learnt.

Although I do not agree with children this young playing them all day, I do think that it can add another dimension to their play on top of real books, colouring books and everything else pp's have mentioned.

[baringan]

I wouldn't buy one for a 5 year old let alone a 2 year old. And I'd judge any parent of a NT child who did.

I also 'work in technology' and I still think it's lazy. What's wrong with Dear Zoo??!

[baringan]

How can it add anything to their play? It's the same as watching TV. So let her watch TV for a bit every day.

[BeaArthursUnderpants]

I don't feel comfortable with small kids havinh ownership over something like a tablet. They should be using one on an occasional basis, if at all. If they have their own tablet at age 2 it's hard to set limits and supervise appropriately when they are 6 or 7 and start messing about on YouTube and the Internet. I also wouldn't want to send the message to my kids that it's appropriate for them to have expensive electronics at a young age. I know the kindle fire is probably cheaper than some of the toys they have but they don't get that. They understand that electronics are delicate and should be handled with care, and giving them their own at such a young age totally contradicts that.

[UmbongoUnchained]

Well congratulations baringan, but my child does hate books! Funny how they're all different isn't it?

[BigGreenOlives]

No. Children need to develop finger & hand strength as well as fine motor skills.