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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that a 3,5 year old shouldn't have his own IPad?

153 replies

NJE · 05/03/2011 23:35

I'm a nanny. I just started my new job last Monday, I look after a boy who is 3,5 years old and has his own IPad and is allowed to play with it every day when he wants to. AIBU for thinking that a 3,5 year old shouldn't have his own IPad or play with it at all?! P.S: He can't dress himself though but uses his IPad without any problems at all :D

OP posts:
worraliberty · 05/03/2011 23:36

Well it's not something I'd buy for mine but at least it's educational..in the sense that they learn computer studies at school nursery.

FreudianSlippery · 05/03/2011 23:41

Wow. I'd love to have the money for my own iPad let alone one for my child!

I do see the educational value in these things (my friend gave me his old iPhone and there are some amazing apps for children) - but I don't think it's good to let them have their own one, unless it is restricted, I know preschoolers who actually seem addicted to their gadgets :(

angel1976 · 05/03/2011 23:42

I don't see it as a huge problem. Why does it bother you? A friend of ours gave us an iPad for Christmas (I know, I know, we are very lucky!) and because DH and I both have laptops and iPhone/HTC phones, the iPad is really excess to our needs so we loaded it up with educational and fun games for our DS1 (just turned 3). It's pretty much his iPad for all intents and purposes!

BUT we do control his usage. He only uses it on the weekend and for half an hour / an hour at most a day. So my DS1 can't dress himself yet but he does sort of have his own iPad so I can't see an issue. I think YABU to think he shouldn't have his own iPad or play with it at all! Technology isn't always a bad thing for kids! :)

BeerTricksPotter · 05/03/2011 23:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SingingSands · 05/03/2011 23:43

I'm sure he sees it as a toy and treats it as such. I'm sure he has other toys you can both play with.

It's not a bad thing for him to have access to, as long as he's not glued to it for 8hrs a day!

rinabean · 05/03/2011 23:45

Yes, this kind of thing ought to be banned. I think corporal punishment should be brought back for this kind of thing, for the parents and the child.

Original poster
NJE · 05/03/2011 23:46

He doesn't do any educational stuff on it. He plays different games, that's all. It just bothers me because its totally okay for mum that he uses the IPad while I am there (I can't say no because he gets upset and mum is around and let's him have it anyway)

OP posts:
worraliberty · 05/03/2011 23:48

Playing different games and knowing how to work an IPad is educational believe it or not.

It's today's 'pen and paper' if you like and IT is a very important part of their education.

worraliberty · 05/03/2011 23:49

And you have to right to say 'no' if Mum has said 'yes' Confused

BeerTricksPotter · 05/03/2011 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Needanewname · 05/03/2011 23:52

You may need to look for a new job. If this bothers you after your first week, it will get worse.

Personally I wouldn't give a 3 yr old an iPad but you are not the parent, it is not your choice or decision to make.

I speak as a former nanny of 10 years - get a new job or learn to ignore things like this !

BitOfFun · 05/03/2011 23:55

I-pads are supposed to be brilliant for some kids with SN. I wouldn't restrict their use based on age, or that they are being used for 'games'. We are in an IT age now. As long as the child has lots of other kinds of play, I think it's fine.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 06/03/2011 00:08

These children are going to use technology for everything, far far more than we do now. DD has been able to operate my iPhone since she turned 2, it's amazing to watch how confident she is with it, yet me father can barely operate his one without step by step instructions.

A long as it's not the only thing he ever plays with it's fine. I wouldn't buy DD one of her own if I had the money as she wouldn't look after it properly (she's 3.1) but she certainly plays with mine.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 06/03/2011 00:09

yep, they're great for kids with SN.

Ds has one in class at school and I have decided to buy him one for home, anything which encourages him to focus can only be a good thing. But his time spent on it will be limited.

That said i'm a mean cow who has hidden all of his gadgets because he has been communicting less and less lately, which is a big fear of mine, so i've carted out the lego and slowly but surely he's communicating more and playing better. And has now given up using violence to get them back, they're being reintroduced slowly and he's less reliant on them.

We spent two hours tonight building star wars lego Smile

worraliberty · 06/03/2011 00:12

It's great for all kids not just those with SN.

Kids learn through play OP that's something I'm surprised you haven't thought about.

When they are toddlers we give them crayons and pencils...they scribble with them and through scribbling they learn to form shapes and how to hold the crayon/pencil comfortably. No-one in their right minds would think it's a waste of time because they are simply 'playing' and not writing.

BeerTricksPotter · 06/03/2011 00:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nataby · 06/03/2011 05:11

My 3 year old can write her name, because she is doing writing on my iPad. I am seriously considering getting her one for her birthday in October. It's very educational. She already understands wifi, 3G and unfortunately also knows how to get you tube. It just needs supervision.

Like everything else, too much is not good. However, having an iPad at age 3 can be a good thing.

GotArt · 06/03/2011 05:21

It is a part of our times, but I do question why he can't dress himself. You just need to balance technology with, say colouring, painting, writing, running around like a maniac...

I let DD on interactive sites on the lap top and within a couple of days have seen how quickly she clued into it. As I am an artist, she get a lot of mixed media time too and at two is drawing suns, complete with happy faces, already. DH is a Chef, so she can peel eggs, spread peanut butter on her toast and hold a knife to cut a strawberry properly. Just balance the boys day with other things to get him off it once in awhile.

GotArt · 06/03/2011 05:22

Beers Grin

lyra41 · 06/03/2011 05:33

What are the best apps for kids? Can anyone recommend some for a 5 year old ESP educational ones? So far we have only found games but I Only got it yesterday. Not quite used to the screen keyboard yet, I don't seem to be able to touch type on it.

NinkyNonker · 06/03/2011 09:10

I don't get ipads full stop. What do they do that laptops or netbooks don't?

ilovemylife · 06/03/2011 09:14

I was going to ask that question what do they do that laptops don't?

mrsravelstein · 06/03/2011 09:15

my 3 year old loves the ipad, spends ages looking up videos of diggers on youtube. needs supervision obviously. oh and he can't dress himself either, but i think that's pretty normal at 3 and can't quite see the link between ipad usage and inability to get legs into trousers.

Spammead · 06/03/2011 09:23

My one year old plays with mine. Has done for ages. There's an app called 'sound touch' where you press pictures of animals, vehicles, household things, musucal instruments etc and a big photo comes up, with accompaying sound. It's really nice. We play with it for a few mins every day.

I wouldn't leave her alone with it for longer than it takes to put my cup in the kitchen, obviously. But they can be a nice 'toy' for small children.

SmethwickBelle · 06/03/2011 09:24

My 3.6 year old loves our iPad and particuarly loves Labryinth 2 (maze/puzzle). He is allowed to play it if he finishes his dinner whilst we put his younger brother to bed.

There are plenty of games very suitable for that age. I agree it is a bit like crack and I know my son would play it all day if we let him, so it is rationed.

Why better than a laptop? iPads have a touch screen and only one button which returns you to the main menu, so children can navigate easily with their finger, can't screw up the settings easily or get lost out of the games, and light to hold and at the size of a piece of paper are easy for children to hold.

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