Nintendo switch Lite for a 5yo who never uses tech?

[Hmmmmminteresting]

Ds is turning 5 just after Xmas and I'm very aware of the fact that he has no technology. This isn't because we are against it, just because neither he or our 2yo have ever shown an interest. Both toy story obsessed.
He starts school tomorrow and one of the things nursery flagged to us when he left was that we need to work on his technology skills. Not entirely sure i agree at this age however I'm fully aware its part of life now.
I'd like to get him something to play games on for Xmas but no idea what.
I thought about a DS then realised they're long gone but have seen Switch Lite in their place.

1. Are they suitable for a 5 year old?
2. Would you just get the whole Switch as opposed to just the light, as it comes with a handheld (albeit a bigger one)?
3. What games would be suitable for him?
4. Is there another product that I should buy instead of this? Amazon Fire Kids etc?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

The Switch is fairly heavy so the Lite would be better for young kids.

You'd probably want a game that's light on the reading. Yoshi's crafted world and Kirby could be good options, I think there are Lego and Minecraft games too. Animal Crossing is lovely but quite a lot of reading going on.

I'm confused by the nursery saying he needs to work on tech though - a bit vague isn't it? I don't think I'd get him a Switch just because of that, just if you want to buy him one.

Yes it sounds like you're getting him one because of what the nursery said and I really wouldn't do that.
He won't be behind in technology because he doesn't have something at home
We have never had an iPad or any technology at home
My daughter has had more technology at school - and they certainly never had technology at her nursery and no one's ever made any comments about her!
They pick it up very fast

He doesn’t need to work on his tech skills. That’s frankly nonesense. Take it from the mum of a gaming obsessed 13 and 15 yo that once that Pandora’s box is open it is impossible to shut, can easily dominate you life and if he is a happy child without any tech I would continue that way as long as possible.
It’s a part of life but see if you can wait a bit longer before it’s part of your like. Your future mum self will thank me I promise!

You can still get Nintendo 3DS. If you get a secondhand one it's even cheaper and may be better as a starter one. Switch games are individually very expensive - £40 is a common price.
To be honest to get more 'technology' experience a tablet would be better for that age. Tablets are used in schools. You can get more educational games, do things like 'draw' pictures, take and edit photos etc.

I really wouldn't get him one. He will get the opportunity to use a tablet at school and will pick it up quickly. Personally I'd just keep him on traditional toys at that age. The earlier poster was right about the Pandora's box. He will ask for devices himself soon enough.

My GS got a Nintendo switch at age 6. He much preferred just looking at youtube on an iPad for the first few months. However he then discovered Minecraft and this has become his favourite thing of all time.
With the switch you can connect it to the tv and play with him or he can play alone on the handset when he's a bit older

No idea but technology these days is idiot proof. Monkeys can use it. Unless you are teaching him coding or something useful I would keep well away.

I wouldn't be getting your DS one because "nursery said so". We introduced DD to tech by letting her use our shared tablet (at first) with the CBeebies apps. Now she's older she has her own child account on the family PS4, PC and switch. Our consoles connect to the TV though and we make a big thing of playing together as well as individual games (MarioKart is good for this on Switch, Lego Worlds on PS4).

I wouldn’t go there at the moment. I always regret getting devices for my dc when they were 8. Life is simpler without them. I would possibly let them use your iPad with the odd game or short video.

My DD (6.5) is getting a Nintendo Switch for Christmas. She has been using my sister’s and absolutely loves it. She uses my DH’s Xbox as well and can use the controller with ease. I, on the other hand, cannot cope with it.

A lot of MN is very anti technology though so, as you can see, a lot of the responses are ‘Don’t buy him one!’. Knowing how to use technology is a useful skill and is part of the curriculum.

I have a tech mad 6yo and he doesn’t have a handheld console. He sometimes plays games on an iPad or an old iPhone. But this is honestly not something I would be encouraging. It’s a pain. Our DS was introduced to games when he spent a week in and out of hospital after a tonsillectomy (got unlucky with bleeding so we were yo-yoing back and forth), and that was fine because he needed to sit still and pass the time (including a whole day nil by mouth). But there is no way I would be introducing tech to a child who hasn’t yet shown an interest. He has so much time to discover video games, and he will! Ignore nursery, it’s one of their favourite things to pick on when there is nothing else to recommend in my opinion.

If he hasn't shown an interest, I would really wait!

Five and two year olds do not need to up their technical know how by getting a Nintendo.

Lots of dc start EYFS without even having being on a screen. It takes them approximately three minutes to catch up that skill. That's because it's easy and intuitive.

Dc who don't know how to cut with scissors or make a ball by rolling play-doh or thread beads on to a string will also catch up with their peers if they have not done these activities before but it will take longer to learn as these skills are harder and require fine motor skills.

Do not do this. A lifetime of regret awaits you.

If you are really worried about your DC not gaining technical skills, then it might be worth getting a cheap kids fire tablet. It has plenty of suitable games/books/videos and much cheaper than a switch.

Stay away from technology as long as you can. Get him a toy!

The nursery said that? That's a load of shite. Bearing in mind that at that age ICT can mean a range of things like using a toy camera so I really doubt they mean that you should be running out to buy your 5 hear old a very expensive gaming device. He's 5, I honestly would put this off as long as possible.

Do not do this. A lifetime of regret awaits you

Agreed @Wallywobbles.

Knowing how to use technology is a useful skill and is part of the curriculum.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing It is, but it's not a huge part of the curriculum. At 5 years old I most definitely would not be encouraging this. I've worked in education from nursery through secondary age for years and they will pick up plenty at school without having to be gaming so young.

We have the kindle fires. They are much much cheaper than consoles, and can have Netflix/DisneyPlus on so handy if we have a night away for us to watch a movie.

Our dc are (both under 9) only allowed the free to download games and can only download a new game on a Saturday (we found they just constantly wanted a new one). They are handy for if we've had a big ling day out somewhere they chill and play a game for 30 mins or so when we get in and they just need a rest.

At this age it means things like knowing how to turn on and off a torch and that a torch can be used to give light. If there aren't any more pictures to colour in then the photo copier in the office is the place to go. That in the role play corner the scanner on the till tells the shopkeeper how much the bread is or the x-ray machine helps the vet know if the cat has a sore paw. Every day stuff.

Im so glad I asked this! It's now struck back off his Xmas list
I've always enjoyed the fact hes not into technology yet but was feeling guilty after discussing it with nursery - they specifically said that when they get the nursery tablets out he has no clue really how to operate them and no interest.
He just loves to role play, he will sit in his bedroom playing for ages either alone or with his bro (till the little one ruins the game of course).
It did seem odd, but I am reassured now that its still really not essential.

Anyone got any Xmas ideas for a 5 year old that doesn't involve toy story (he literally has all of them), or a bike, or a toy kitchen, or lego, please sbout up!

A toy cash register with money? Anything he’d like to expand the role play like dressing up things and associated accessories? A little indoor tent?
I would echo staying away from technology for as long as possible, simply because it can be terrible trying to get them off the device when they are young. It can be great for older children.

PlusPlus midi blocks are great, you'd get a lot of mileage out of them. Magformers also amazing. They're a bit pricey but Amazon have good knockoffs.

It is, but it's not a huge part of the curriculum. At 5 years old I most definitely would not be encouraging this. I've worked in education from nursery through secondary age for years and they will pick up plenty at school without having to be gaming so young.

It doesn’t say the nursery says he should be gaming but gaming (in some forms) can aid children with their technology skills and understanding of coding and fine motor skills. I am by no means saying the OP must buy her DS a games console to be able to achieve in life but some of the reactions to it on here are extreme in their disapproval.

The reason we are getting DD a Switch for Christmas is because there were loads of active, family friendly games she could play. It’s something we’ll be able to enjoy as a family. She had every traditional toy growing up (Lego, blocks, cars, kitchens, play cash registers, dolls, craft kits...) and can use her imagination brilliantly to make up stories and create role play scenarios. She also had access to tablets and technology. It’s possible to have a balance between technology all day every day and never allowing them to use anything.

As a Y5 teacher, a lot of children know how to game and how to use tablets. Their coding skills are much better than mine. What they do struggle with is using laptops and computers. We have to teach them this far more than we have to teach them coding.