to think that the leappad explorer isn't a good present for a young child?

[bytheMoonlight]

Just having a look through top ten Christmas toys and Leappad explorer is number one in the ELC Christmas list and pops up in many other lists as being a top toy this year.

AIBU to not understand how staring at a screen, not interacting with your environment or the people around you can be a positive thing?

I have a 4yo dd and although I understand the supposed educational value of these toys, I would much rather she was interacting and learning through us than becoming obsessed with technology at such a young age.

AIBU, or possibly just missing the point?

My in laws want to buy my three year old one for christmas.

I wasn't that keen as I feel guilty enough for letting her watch telly twice a day. But then I thought, if she uses this thing in her watching telly time instead of watching telly then it's probably better for her.

I have, of course, instructed them to only buy educational games for it

(because I'm a control freak with a stick up my arse)

Dirtydishes - yep, our kiddizoom was abandoned too. The Fisher Price Dora backpack we got for £1.50 from the charity shop is still adored and taken to bed though.

I found this article very interesting on the subject of children and screen-based technology
news.cincinnati.com/article/20111103/LIFE07/111030308/Unplug-kids?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

I agree with you bythemoonlight. I think computer images made for children are ugly, and the sounds are unnatural. They are designed to constantly grab your attention, and the "interaction" is all predetermined. It is too easy to use screens to fill up all the odd corners of the day when kids would otherwise be bored and think of something else to do. I don't think children read or play outside as much as they used to, and one of the main reasons is that they are parked in front of some screen or other. To me, this seems like an immense loss. Of course there are some benefits to screens for small children, but I don't think you miss anything by not having one. We spend a month every summer screen free, and not only does nobody miss having one, but the kids immediately read more, play their instruments more, and start doing things like putting on plays together.

I have bought one for each of my dds for Christmas- they are 6 and 4. They enjoy playing on their granny and aunt's iPads, but I can't afford to buy them one of those so this seems like a fair compromise. I hope they are worth the money, and they look pretty educational.

YABU. Some things are just for fun. They don't have to be learning all the time.

YABU imo.

Not everything a child plays with has to be a full on educational, interactive experience.

I don't know many, if any, child who will sit and play on one thing to the total exclusion of everything else all the time. Most children will use somethign for a while, then move onto another activity.

Why can't one of the said activities be something that doesn't need another person to play with?

Different if the child is using it to total exclusion to everythin else and not interacting with other children or adults at all. but then it is more likely to be down to parenting anyway - especially when a child is 4y.

chandellina - oh no you didn't. Step away from the Daily Mail before your ignorant blaming of parents for kids' ADHD really, really pisses someone off.

YANBU.

I still remember (and hate) the original leappad ad where the device teaches a kid to read, so the delighted parents nip out and buy every single title. Sorry, but sharing a real book with my DCs is a totally wonderful thing, and it's going to stay that way.

I don't think you are being unreasonable. I think there is increasing research that early use of computer technology may be problematic for young children (I'm not looking up studies now but books like Sue Palmer's "Toxic Childhood" go through it).

I feel under pressure to get my 6YO son a DS but I'm not doing it because I don't think its in his best interests (for some particular reasons I wrote on a thread over the weekend). I'm not convinced of the educational arguments either.

I'm not totally against technology- my children watch some TV, they occasionally go on the computer/ smartphone, but I don't want them having their own technology at their age.

YANBU. I know that I wouldn't be able to wrestle it off DS age 4.4.

We have a desktop PC, an iPad and iPhones. He mastered these very quickly. We frequently play the games on Nick Jr's website, there's also Thomas games. These are easily accessible and free.

Plus they have time in the computer suite (PC each) during the school week.

The rest of the time I'm happy to play games like the Orchard ones, Lego Etc and he's content to play with his train tracks and other toys on his own.

I don't think Leapsters are the work of the devil, just unnecessary given all the above.

My son is 7 and he would like a vtech innotab for christmas he has the mobigo which both he and his sister play with she is 3 they both have kidizoom cameras all are still played with. We do have a wii which actually belongs to dh and myself rather than the children and was bought when ds was a baby. They do play with the wii but are limited on it. My children have a wide variety of toys wooden train tracks, playmobil, lego lots of cars and an abundance of books. They have access to a wide variety of activities painting, colouring, play doh etc. So to me I have no problems buying technology toys because I know my children have access to other things and we talk, play and interact but it is also nice for them to have their own time.

Hmmm ... I can see nothing on this thread to disagree with what I originally said in my OP