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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Too young for abc mouse?

49 replies

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 15:26

Has anyone used abc mouse with their kids? How young is too young?

My dd is 21 months and absolutely loves playing on her tablet. She is able to navigate it quite well and plays a few free learning games on it/understands how to play them if you show her first. Was going to get a subscription to it for Christmas but not sure if she would be too young.

OP posts:

Raspberry88 · 24/12/2018 17:45

I'm gobsmacked you think it's OK to let a less than 2 year old play on a tablet for 2 hours a day. Don't be so lazy, do some parenting.
Fuck off.
Sorry OP, I don't know anything about abcmouse so can't help but it does sound good. I'm so sorry you're feeling bad about working, it sounds like you're a lovely mother. I hope you manage to have a lovely Christmas

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 17:50

Thank you Raspberry88.

OP posts:

Walkingdeadfangirl · 24/12/2018 17:50

How about a subscription for one on one reading time with an adult and an actual book.

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 17:51

Where did I say we don’t read everyday?

OP posts:

Mandapanda85 · 24/12/2018 18:43

Definitely not a bad parent OP - just a normal one like the rest of us 😊

Checking out that ABC mouse now too!

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and don't worry about needing to work, your DC are learning more from you thank you realise and it's all important life stuff x

BottleOfJameson · 24/12/2018 18:47

I think though younger children can pick up umbers and the alphabet if you actually look at the research there is no long term advantage to teaching it to them earlier. The way to increase their literacy skills is to to read to them a lot - let them choose the books, don't just read so they're passive engage with the book. Talk to them alot, in different environments, be responsive to the things they say to you/ Be child lead - if they're interested in fish go the aquarium, see what fish tank they run to and respond to what they say rather than trying to lead the interaction yourself. Yes you can also teach them the alphabet, either yourself or via an app but it won't improve their ability to read long term.

JudasPrudy · 24/12/2018 19:00

Happy Christmas OP! Sorry a load of patronising knobs responded to your post.

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 19:29

Thank you mandapanda and judasprudy.

Jamerson- she does usualkybpick out which books she wants us to read. The reason I even thought about starting to teach letters and numbers is because she has this magnetic easel with large letters/numbers that she loves to play with and she seems interested in them.

OP posts:

Unexpectedbaby · 24/12/2018 19:37

I am not sure what abc mouse is but wanted to jump in and say we got DD a kids kindle for her 2nd birthday. We don't rely on it but she does prefer to watch it on a lazy afternoon than the tv sometimes. She has educational games on it. She knows some of her shapes, colours, letters, can count to 10 and is ahead cognitive development wise for her age.

Wether we like it or not our children are growing up in a generation where screens are the norm. I think that as long as they are doing a lot away from screens, are not being neglected and letting the screen be the parent and still interacting to learn too then a bit of daily screen time is not going to be a detriment to a child.

Merry Christmas OP.

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 22:39

Very well said Unexpected.

OP posts:

Worsethingshappen · 24/12/2018 22:47

Is this a wind up? 2 hours screen time per day, endorsed by parents of under 2 year old??!! It’s a joke surely?

Pinkgrapefruit167 · 24/12/2018 22:55

God how many of you want to harp the same criticism on this thread? I’m surprised you all have time, are you not still upstairs reading Sebastian and Mayflower their 25th story of the night?

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 22:58

Worse-did you have anything constructive to say? How many people have to try and berate me for the same thing here?

OP posts:

Worsethingshappen · 24/12/2018 22:59

Just thought it was maybe a wind up...

Printerneedsink · 24/12/2018 23:01

umexpected children are not growing up with screens whether we like it or not. It is a choice we make! Unless we buy the screens and give them to our children they will not grow up with them.

Tow hours is definitely too much....

december212 · 24/12/2018 23:02

Unexpected is spot on.

Looking up abc mouse now - hadn't heard of it before. My Daughter isn't glued to the ipad but prefers watching things like Blippi on you tube to cbeebies stuff on tv - can't seem the harm in that at all.

Hope you have a great Christmas (even if you're working!)

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 23:03

Seriously people, I don’t need the lecture about screen time. Step off! I’ve already said how horrible I feel today and you want to pile on? Unkind nasty lot you are.

OP posts:

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 24/12/2018 23:05

OP, I'm a primary school teacher with a first class degree in primary Ed, a Master's in Education specialising in the use of technology in educating primary aged children and am well on my way to completing my PhD carrying out research on the same topic.

If she can use the app and enjoys it, go for it. Educational apps are VERY beneficial for young children and research is starting to suggest that they can help teach children to read much more effectively than phonics schemes in schools. Find apps that she likes, use them and let her play them, as long as she is enjoying them.

However, it is also very important that children have a good balance of other activities. Talk is hugely important, imaginative play, sustained shared learning, reading with an adult, outdoor play etc etc. I'm sure you know the score. Balance is the key.

HarleyQuinnxx · 24/12/2018 23:06

I think 21 months isn't too young to get the app at all if you feel as her parent it benefits her I'd get it. I had something similar for my son. Be careful posting topics like this you will have the perfect parent police on your back just ignore them we know you don't sit her down with a tablet 24 hours a day. I had tinytap for my boy he loves it still does he has just turned 3.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 24/12/2018 23:07

Also, my DS used my tablet from the age of about 6 months old (mainly as I was doing research at the time) and he was recognising numbers by 7 months, was able to order numbers, add simple numbers by 12 months and was reading by the time he was 3. The right apps certainly helped him and he absolutely loved them.

SplishSplashSplosh · 24/12/2018 23:08

My DD is 2.5 and is fantastic on her sister's tablet not to mention my phone.

She navigates around it easily, knows how to find exactly what she wants to watch on youtube and likes to view the photos and videos I have taken with my phone.

I have no problem with her spending some time on either the tablet or phone and you know why? She knows her ABC, knows her colours, shapes, how to count to 10 and back again. Kids do learn a lot from using them.

That said, we also read books together and she loves sitting down and singing. We go to play groups and I think we have managed to balance everything out.

OP, don't let anyone make you feel bad. Nobody has the right to judge you.

Merry Christmas. Hope you and your DD have a lovely day.x

P.'s. I am now going to check out ABC Mouse

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 23:16

Yes, we obviously do other things than just the tablet. Doctor has said she is right where she should be for development and is saying new words in context each day.

OP posts:

myrtleWilson · 24/12/2018 23:37

How is your DSD doing by the way? Am sure you DD will be fine with supervised tablet access..

Original poster

Elphie54 · 24/12/2018 23:48

Myrtle-still hospitalized and on high doses of medication. They estimate she will be there for 6 months, if not longer, before transitioning out to a day program. Apparently she is not doing so well there and has been threatening to staff as well as her parents.

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