How old would you expect a child to be about to do this?

[Woristag]

Hi! Just that really. How old would you expect a child to do this? And how old is too old and concerning not to be able to do this?

Go on a tablet
Select a game app they like
Pick a level
Click on the screen to pop balloons, very simple game

Thank you

I work with children and have seen children as young as just turned 2 do this. My own child couldn't so this a 5 though so it depends on their exposure to it. Why?

It's something that is very easy to do once you've been shown.

So, a child who had been shown how to do it, from about 2.

If they haven't been shown then it would be fine for them not to be able to do it at almost any age.

If they've been shown, but can't grasp it then I would be concerned from about 2.5 onwards. Presumably, this would co-exist with other concerns though. I've never met a child who is developing normally in every regard except their ability to use a tablet!

Depends on how often they use a tablet. If they use one daily/weekly I’d expect them to know how to access and use a basic game by 3. Obviously if they haven’t used tablets then it will be older. Also I wouldn’t be worried by this alone, but maybe if they were unable to do other tasks too I’d be worried.

2 year olds can do this if they've had access to an iPad. Anyone at any age wouldn't be able to do it if they haven't had access to an iPad.

2 ish if they're shown. I'd be surprised if a 5 year old couldn't do it as tablets are used from pre school at our school so from 3. Or 4 if they don't start school until reception.

My four year old couldn’t do this as he has no interest in it. My seven year old could, my nine year old would try to code it.

As pp says, all depends on exposure.

Well it depends if they had the pad to practice with. It wouldn't be difficult if they had access to it.

I'd assume at around 2-3 if they usually had access to an ipad, obviously later if not.

It would also depend on whether they have the slightest interest in playing a game on a tablet. Some kids just don't want to.

All depends- my kids are screen addicts so can do it, I know some lucky people whose kids haven’t been taken over by the devil around screens so they can’t.

About 2.5yrs I'd say if they've been shown.

Kids do pick things up very quickly, especially if it's something they enjoy.

3 but some 2 year olds would manage it .

2 if they're used to a tablet. Older when they get/use one.

2 if they have access and want to do it. What is it the child can't do, what are you worried about exactly? They might just have no interest, in which case you'd be hard pushed to make them.

I wouldn't be surprised at an 18mo being able to do this. Certainly most 2yos would

My child has minimal access to technology so whilst would be able to pop the balloons, probably wouldn't be able to select game levels and things like that. She's 6.5.
We don't own a tablet, but my parents do and she knows to tap icons to open apps But it's stuck after that.

My 3 year old can do this, and has been able to for a little while. She’s a pretty average 3 year old in terms of development. So I’d say 2.5 to be able to do it, age 4 to be worried if they can’t.

Around 2-3

Tbh I'd be worried if 2 year old were doing this as it means they are having sufficient repeated exposure to digital technology, which is the only way such a young child can learn three-tier l these skills, by route repetition. I'm not personally convinced it's great at such a young age....BUT that just my opinion..

Both my kids could do this around 1? Why?

Entitled to your personal opinion but in a world dominated by technology I don’t understand the preoccupation with it being ‘bad’ for kids. Lots of research showing the benefits it has to fine motor skills for kids. Even my kids montessori nursery allows time on an iPad playing games because they recognise the skills it develops appropriate to the wider world.

Ability to do this says far more about the amount of time their parents have let them play that game than about how intelligent they are.

Maybe 1y if they get heaps of screentime. Maybe 10 if it's their first time on an iPad.

1 🤣🤣🤣🤣

It depends on how long the child has been using the device and app. If it’s a first time thing then I’d not expect them to be able to do it without help regardless of their age, even the first few times they’re likely to need help/support in connecting to the device and launching the app.

Do you explain what you’re doing to them as you’re doing it? Very few children learn by simply observing, they usually need verbal and written instructions (I.e you tell them how to access the device/app and they follow the written instructions on screen depending on if they can read)

Thank you everyone.

My 4 year old can't do it yet (It's one concern amongst a few others I have) whereas his 19 month old brother is capable of doing it despite not being given instructions.

I guess every kid has their own rhythm