To not let my three year old use technology

[ohmygodkaren]

I've always thought that not allowing my three year old to use technology was good. Strains her eye's, she can learn using paper and pen etc etc

I was speaking to my sister who made the valid point of when my dad starts school. They will use stuff like iPad and computers.

My dd won't have a clue how too use them.

Can I have some perspective on this?

Should I start allowing her too use it, such as games to learn. How long should she go on it for? What iPads should I buy for her etc etc??

Dd not dad

She’ll pick it up straightaway. Don’t worry.
Talk to her, listen to her, read to her, let her make and do things practically. All much more important at 3.

I didn’t let mine at that age. They don’t start reception and instantly get access to technology (in my school at least)
They teach them about computers in computer class using mouse etc. I wouldn’t worry about it

My DS has used an iPad since he was 2 (he’s now 5).

We monitor what he watches and the usage but it’s never been an issue. He will abandon it frequently to go play with toys or to bounce on the trampoline and always favours going out to using it.

His teacher said his IT is advanced and he’s able to use the equipment at school to a higher level than expected.

I doubt it’s accidental.

Also, if you get them into the right channels on YouTube there’s not of educational stuff.

He looks at Kid’s Learning Tube and knows about planets, elements, weather and capital cities.

I’m a ‘pro screens’ mum but obviously in moderation.

Coincidental, not accidental.

My son is in reception and he definitely uses tablets in school.

I think moderation is key in the early years. We let him use the iPad from the age of about two onwards, but only for no more than 30 minutes a day. We put apps on there that are educational and he learnt a lot of phonics through it.

He still has restrictions on use during term time, but we're a bit more lax in the school holidays as he seems to need the down time. (And before I get flamed he is very active as well).

I don't get the "no screen" argument to be honest. I guess it's probably because DH is working at the forefront of AI so I have some understanding of just how much of a role it's going to play in the future. I want to make sure my kids are competent users and will be teaching them programming skills as they grow up.

MERRY OLD GOAT. What kind of iPad to you use? Is there special kids one or just ordinary ones.

I just want the best for my daughter, want her to have such a wide variety of knowledgable such as planets and elements.

It really does sound like it would benefit her, as long as it moderation. Can you give me any apps for learning??

Mine didn't at that age. She is now 5 and gets limited tablet time. She is also at school and has no problem with technology there or at home (can use my mobile, switch tv on etc). I think at 3 they don't need it so would carry on as you are and not worry about school. They'll easily catch up.

I don't think it will be a problem at all, yes they may use touchscreens at school (if they can afford them) but she will pick it up pretty quickly. In reception it should be pretty minimal, as they will be focussed on getting them developing their hand muscles etc through painting, playdough, using pens and crayons. Learning to write with a pen is much harder than learning to use a touchscreen IMO, so probably better that she spends time playing, using her hands and painting/drawing before school rather than using a touchscreen.

Further up the school using a computer will become more important and then yes I agree it is better to give her chance to use a computer at home, but that is not for a while.

I'm happy for mine to use technology, I don't see how it's a bad thing now when it's what they'll be using at school and throughout their lives. Obviously as long as they're not glued to it 24 hours a day and go out, read, etc. I actually think it's a vital skill.

Technology is the way the world is going and YWBU not to let her use any tech until she starts school. However, obviously there is too much of a good thing, so I would set clear limits on it- at 3 I’d probably say max 30 mins a day. (I don’t judge those who do more though!)

My grandma was eighty when she got her first iPad and was using it confidently after half an hour.... I don’t think kids need them before school - they’ll get used to it so quickly as that’s what iPads are designed for!

It’s ‘my’ iPad so just a normal one but I’ve heard good things about lots at a lower price-point.

I’d ensure I got one where the APPS are easy to see etc. so they can navigate easily.

My DS is in Reception and they have had exposure to computers and tablets since nursery.

There are some good drawing ones (just search App Store- they’re all the same), there’s a puzzle one which we like, YouTube is great - search YouTube for Kids Learning Tube and Davehax (although keep an eye on the latter as he does some special effects that might scare a young child).

Then there are the nursery rhyme ones which I found invaluable when I’d exhausted my very limited repertoire.

Jolly Phonics has helped him with reading - he’s reading well in advance of his age.

They also guide you and you can develop their interests.

When my DS started showing interest in planets we bought him some books so we could do non-screen learning, posters so he can visualise and read the text etc.

I felt very proud when he got a Pointless answer the other week too (US State Capitals).

I’d search the educational apps in App Store and YouTube and start slow.

View them yourself first if you want to be sure of content.

Just avoid Ryan’s Toys Review...

I think the more I think about it the more I'm liking the thought off it.

We have cards with colours and letters and even her French learning. But it's just paper and she's not interested.

I'm looking at a fire Amazon 7 anyone have this?? Is it any good??

Thank goodness they didn't exist when mine were that age (teens now, and fully obsessed). Avoid as long as you can! I read to mine incessantly, sometimes with my eyes shut (I was sooooo tired, and knew the stories off by heart). We had no TV either. But it was all beyond worthwhile when they were little.

My son is nearly 4 and can swipe round an iPhone, he has an old one for listening to music and audio books on, he also looks at the photos.

We have a tablet with a couple of games on that he's allowed for hair cuts or medical procedures.

Athena - why can’t they go-exist?

My son is read to every day usually more than once, reads to himself and has a reading age not expected until Year 2 (he’s in Reception).

I hate the insinuation that it’s one or the other.

My children's primary uses iPads a lot, the brilliant thing about iPads is they are incredibly simple to use so I don't really see a child who doesn't use one at home being disadvantaged in the foundation phase.
None of mine ever really used any tech before they started school, tablets weren't invented when the older ones were little.
They get all get on fine at school with tech, DD got A in ICT, DS1 is predicted A, seven year old makes movies at school and is an IT mentor, five year old did a PowerPoint in assembley.

As pp said when they start progressing in school then they do need to have access to a computer/laptop/tablet. I don't think a two or three year old needs to be be familiar with tech.

For a little child the Fire is fine I think. Or an android tablet. But get a good case and screen protector because accidents WILL happen!

I don’t understand the push back against evolution. Pen and paper referable to quill and parchment. It’s called progress. I was a bright kid at school, grade A’s. My kid is studying topics for maths and science GCSEs I’ve never heard of. Let tech flourish

I’m with you American

Everything in moderation.

I studied childhood literature as part of my degree. At one time there was a political movement to prevent the increasing popularity of reading. It was considered dangerous and a sign of weak character for young people to spend time in idle pursuits such as reading and it needed to be discouraged. Reading was for practical purposes only and young people should be working, taking part in noble pursuits, developing practical skills or adventuring not wasting time sitting around with books or papers.

I always think of that when I read these posts discussing kids and tech.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/23/screen-time-v-play-time-what-tech-leaders-wont-let-their-own-kids-do

It’s okay to use screens and tech. It’s not okay to be missing out bits of necessary child development because of being on them too much at the expense of other human skills.
But nobody should kid themselves that their child who navigates iPads and YouTube is a computer genius. They are not ‘computing’, they are just using technology.

I would say don't worry about not letting her use it. My dd is ten she doesn't have a phone, she doesn't have her own tablet or laptop either. But she can use the tablet and laptop (and I am sure the phone if given half a chance) without any problems at all.