Page 4 | To get a tablet for 2 year old?

Scotlandma · 2023-06-30T09:22:38+00:00

I feel like I often see very young children with tablets and I’ve heard they can also be very educational but I’m not sure if it’s recommended for 2 year olds? (my child is not yet 2 I’m thinking for their birthday) for background my child is in full time nursery so doesn’t get very much screen time in the week and on the weekend I tend to be out running errands but TV does help whilst I’m trying to cook dinner or occasional send a quick email in the evening. I’m not thinking of the kind of situation where we have to bring an iPad to a restaurant (I’m not judging that situation but DS behaves quite well out) more so for car rides or almost as a toy that DS can choose to play with.

firsttimemum1230 · 02/07/2023 21:12

I’ve got an 18 month old who turns the tv off when baby tv is on 🙃😂😂when we visit my sister she carries my nieces tablet around but doesn’t watch it so I feel for me I essentially would be buying her one to carry around rather than just watch.

i wouldn’t waste your time not until they are older and more developed. I wouldn’t want my daughter to be crying for the tablet or tv ever and I know some parents don’t get things done If the tv isn’t on but my girls gone that long without it she turns it off herself by the remote and doesn’t bother with it

you know your child better than anyone and only you can make the decision.

Namechange828492 · 02/07/2023 21:17

I bought one for my child when he needed to read the school ebooks. After 3 months I hid it (we now just don't do the ebooks) and removed tv too as it turned him into a moaning pitb.

Whinge · 02/07/2023 21:32

The world has changed so much in regards to technology now, children need to learn how to use it for pretty much everything

If a 3 year old can use it, then a child who gets one aged 7, 8 9 etc isn't exactly going to struggle to master the oh so difficult skills of swipe and tap.

Ponoka7 · 02/07/2023 21:33

Both me and my DD preferred tablets to the television, for my GC. It might depend on the child's personality, but neither mine or my GC weren't the type of children to sit in high chairs, stare out of the car window etc just watching. We don't watch television generally. We'd both watch films etc when the kids aren't about (if at all). So didn't want them getting into television. I don't understand how people are saying that primary aged children have never been on one, my GC have homework on seesaw etc. If they are balanced with play/activies they don't have an effect on behaviour.

MaryShelley1818 · 02/07/2023 21:52

metellaestinatrio · 02/07/2023 20:01

Agreed that this sounds like a load of rubbish. My DC1 is on the top table in his class and all the other children on that table are from families who either have no or very restricted tablet use, at least according to their parents (and I can believe it as the parents are all well educated themselves and very engaged in their children’s education).

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And yet my experience is the opposite, DS on top table (goes into year above for English/Maths), all the other children on there have tablets used in some form, all parents very well educated professionals. Funnily enough owning and using tablets have had ZERO effect on their behaviour or education because well, basic common sense would tell you that your child can have a tablet AND you can do all the other things with them too. It's not an either or situation.

MammaEvz3 · 02/07/2023 22:05

SnackSizeRaisin · 02/07/2023 20:26

Using them to keep children quiet sounds like a terrible reason tbh. I mean occasionally for several hour car journeys fair enough but if you're only using it twice a year does it even count? How often do.you drive to the south of France?

As to whether looking out of the window keeps them entertained, I think it's a kind of boredom that becomes beneficial once you're used to it and your mind wanders. If there's always a screen they never develop that skill.

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Why is it terrible? We plan most of our family days out/trips away around the youngests nap. So what would be terrible is if the other two were noisy and disruptive in the car and he wasn't able to sleep. What would be terrible is if he screamed all the way there and then a day out was ruined by an over tired super grizzly baby. I do what works for all of our family. The oldest 2 are happy, the baby is happy and asleep and mam and dad are happy and able to concentrate of the road. Like it said its pretty much the only time they use them anyway but I didn't mention anything about the South of France.

MammaEvz3 · 02/07/2023 22:09

Chasetherainblownfearsaway · 02/07/2023 20:36

@MammaEvz3 I don't really understand why a 6 year old can't read a book during a long journey.

Yeah she absolutely could. She loves reading and reads all the time but sometimes she likes to play games too. You can also read on a tablet by the way.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 02/07/2023 23:45

Ndhdiwntbsivnwg · 02/07/2023 20:43

Congratulations. You must be using a computer then, right, to spread your knowledge on the internet which is “oh
boy”! technology.
Please…

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Of course it's technology, Miss Smartypants. I was responding the person who was wittering on about how we'd all feel if we had our smartphones taken away from us.

If my computer were taken away from me, I'd spend even more time doing the things I like doing - reading, writing, gardening, playing the cello. The internet is a very small part of my life. It's fun to dick around on MN intermittently but that's as far as my internetting goes. And I could live without that.

Screens might have their place, but their place is not with small children. Small children need parental input. My children were never ones who would be happy to stare out of the window, which meant it was quite hard work to keep them occupied on long and boring journeys. I think my efforts paid off, though, to judge by what one of my adult children has just told one of my friends!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 02/07/2023 23:54

I wouldn’t at 2. I regret getting one for my youngest when he was 5 tbh, as he’s just too drawn in by them.

LuvSmallDogs · 03/07/2023 00:23

At 2? Enjoy watching the best part of £100 (if it's a cheapie) taking a dive down the stairs or into a puddle. Not that I can talk, my phone screen is more cracks than glass!🤣

Assuming your car has bluetooth, you can download kiddie podcasts with stories or some kiddie songs etc.

Deathbyfluffy · 03/07/2023 00:27

It’s a personal thing - but there’s a place in hell reserved for any parents who let their kids use tablets in restaurants without headphones!

CopperSeahorses · 03/07/2023 00:47

I got my 2 year old an iPad as their visual impairment teacher recommended starting using as soon as possible. My child has complex disabilities including a cortical visual impairment but we hope that, by starting early, that one day they may be able to use eye gaze to communicate. If my child had been neuro-typical I would have been holding off buying a tablet for as long as possible.

metellaestinatrio · 03/07/2023 08:47

MaryShelley1818 · 02/07/2023 21:52

And yet my experience is the opposite, DS on top table (goes into year above for English/Maths), all the other children on there have tablets used in some form, all parents very well educated professionals. Funnily enough owning and using tablets have had ZERO effect on their behaviour or education because well, basic common sense would tell you that your child can have a tablet AND you can do all the other things with them too. It's not an either or situation.

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I don’t disagree with you - balance is key. I was responding to a pp who claimed there was a study that showed young children with tablets out-performed those who did not use them, which I found very hard to believe given our experience. My DC2 is in Reception and the teachers’ view is that over-reliance on screens during lockdown (unavoidable for many, I appreciate) has contributed to a much higher incidence of speech and language difficulties amongst this cohort.

I’m sure a child who has half an hour a day on a tablet but otherwise has engaged parents and spends time reading, playing etc. will see no ill effects whatsoever. I still don’t see any good reason to give one to a two year old and would recommend the OP hold off as long as possible.

00100001 · 03/07/2023 08:53

Sprinkles211 · 30/06/2023 10:44

Going totally against the grain here but I have sen children if they didn't have access to ipads, computers, tablets, phones there's no way in hell they would be able to partake in society or learning. Technology is our children's futures the earlier they are exposed the better, you can absolutely limit what exposure they have make sure things they access are educational and fun, put limits early on where or if obsessions develops my middle child has severe sen is 8 years old functions mentally as a 3 year old but knows her way round an ipad, the controls and her gaming skills are that of an advanced child if her interests carry on she will be taught how to code, create games and even software meaning she could eventually even earn a living this child will never live independently ever but technology from a very young age has helped her immensely. My eldest girl 15 has always had access but did not and still does not show much interest and only uses when she has to for school or watching films. It only ever becomes a problem if you let it be like getting them one at ten years old having had no previous access it quickly becomes an obsession and leads to the yoyo of bad behavior and not a learning tool.

What absolute nonsense. A 2 year old needs to learn to run and jump and balance and recognise shapes and patterns and how to play with other children. They need to touch, feel and fall down. They need to play and interact with people and things and the world.

Not how to fucking swipe left on a screen of a passive entertainment system.

ThroughGraceAlone · 03/07/2023 08:57

You don't need it now, when you go out, but give him one and you will! As a paeds OT, hold off as long as you can. Once they're used to it, the habit is hard to kick. How often are you on MN, FB, insta? And you are a grown women, much harder for your kids to say no. These 'educational' toys are engineered to keep your attention for a s long as possible. Also, educational my bum. At 2, your baby still needs to practice his balance, fine and gross motor skills, shoulder girdle muscles, coordination, you name it. None of which can happen on an i-pad and all of which he needs to be able to sit and write at a desk one day. you can teach a kid to read and write in a week, if they're physically developed. But a kid that hasn't got the co-contraction to hold a pen for extended periods, i don't care if he knows the alphabet, cause he can't sit to write it. Don't want to sound rude, but it would be a stupid move

00100001 · 03/07/2023 08:58

CM1897 · 02/07/2023 21:06

Ignore the negative comments. My three year old has an Amazon fire tablet, she doesn’t go on it often, but in my eyes it’s better than tv. She is pretty advanced for her age and she learns a lot on it. The world has changed so much in regards to technology now, children need to learn how to use it for pretty much everything, can’t start too early in my eye. As long as it’s not used as a babysitter, so what you feel is best

What madness, thinking a 3 year old has to learn a tablet so young... as if they're a tricky skill to learn over months and years....

It's ,by design, intuitive, a 8yo who never used one will be up to speed in minutes...

It's not like... Learning to read or do maths that take years to master.

ThroughGraceAlone · 03/07/2023 09:03

MaryShelley1818 · 02/07/2023 21:52

And yet my experience is the opposite, DS on top table (goes into year above for English/Maths), all the other children on there have tablets used in some form, all parents very well educated professionals. Funnily enough owning and using tablets have had ZERO effect on their behaviour or education because well, basic common sense would tell you that your child can have a tablet AND you can do all the other things with them too. It's not an either or situation.

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anecdotal evidence. Your kid is good at maths, i-pad doesn't have to be the cause. I can tell you that i can see the kids who spent to much time on devices from a mile away in my practice, mom will come in with a set of problems and i don't even have to ask because i know what the answer will be. "how much screen time does he have mom" Oh there's your problem. Also i-pad, screens whatever is splinter skills. a kid learns one maths game or a shapes game. He just has the game down, sometimes not even the concept. Remember games are made to be fun and to be able to do them otherwise no kid will play them

ThroughGraceAlone · 03/07/2023 09:07

Favouritefruits · 02/07/2023 17:25

I was against tablet for children until I watched a TV documentary a few years ago, it tested children who used tablets and children that didn’t, toddlers that used tablets scored higher in almost everything. The tasks were drawing lines and reactions, amongst other things. The scientists concluded that there’s no benefit of children being kept away from tablets but there maybe a benefit of children using tablets.

Again, these are splinter skills, the kid who uses the tablet often has learned to draw a line, because that's the game? But can he climb and run and catch a ball, does he have sensory issues form not playing outside. None of these things get tested. Also, every typically developing kid can be taught to draw a line ..

tammie49 · 03/07/2023 09:25

I don't think it's a terrible thing, almost better they see it as "just another toy" rather than something particularly special.
For car rides I'd recommend a yoto player or similar for audiobooks. My daughter gets sick if she tries to read or look at a screen.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 03/07/2023 09:47

What absolute nonsense. A 2 year old needs to learn to run and jump and balance and recognise shapes and patterns and how to play with other children. They need to touch, feel and fall down. They need to play and interact with people and things and the world.

Not how to fucking swipe left on a screen of a passive entertainment system.

This is actually the only answer the OP needs, @00100001

MammaEvz3 · 03/07/2023 11:57

Oh my word! Just because a child has a tablet it doesn't mean that they never run around and play outside etc. Life is about everything in moderation surely!

00100001 · 03/07/2023 12:02

MammaEvz3 · 03/07/2023 11:57

Oh my word! Just because a child has a tablet it doesn't mean that they never run around and play outside etc. Life is about everything in moderation surely!

Yes. But they absolutely do not need to use it learn how to use a tablet. Which are some people's reasoning for getting a toddler a tablet. They can be picked up and learned in minutes. No 8yo will be disadvantaged if they didn't have access to a tablet at 2, and it was introduced at 7instead.

Aggielera · 03/07/2023 12:16

Tbh I don’t think a tablet is any different than the tv. Well actually it’s better for their fine motor skills and there are some fabulous educational apps.

Mine had them when they started school nursery as they use them there. The key is that you are in charge of the content and the time. Having controls and guidelines is vitally important to sensible usage!

2 feels very young to me but it’s really no different to sticking Blippi on YouTube on a phone, which is what many people seem to do but their children aren’t allowed a tablet so they feel superior. I think I’d prefer my child be swiping numberblocks on a kindle tbh.

00100001 · 03/07/2023 12:39

Aggielera · 03/07/2023 12:16

Tbh I don’t think a tablet is any different than the tv. Well actually it’s better for their fine motor skills and there are some fabulous educational apps.

Mine had them when they started school nursery as they use them there. The key is that you are in charge of the content and the time. Having controls and guidelines is vitally important to sensible usage!

2 feels very young to me but it’s really no different to sticking Blippi on YouTube on a phone, which is what many people seem to do but their children aren’t allowed a tablet so they feel superior. I think I’d prefer my child be swiping numberblocks on a kindle tbh.

Tablets are worse than TV because they are exclusionary and addictive.

Breezycheesetrees · 03/07/2023 13:43

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 02/07/2023 18:06

😂

This "research" was presumably done by people who thought it was a good idea to give their small children tablets, and set about "proving" why they were right.

It is utter bollocks. Small children need time, attention, talking, singing and reading.

We used to do very, very long car journeys with our DC when they were very small (and one of mine was horrendously difficult).

I-spy ('something blue', 'something round' etc for very small children), audio books, child-friendly CDs (we had cassettes when my DC were small, but presumably people would have phones or whatever now). I used to give them a little something to open at certain points of the journey, so long as they hadn't picked fights with one another. They were just silly little post-office type toys but they were enough of an incentive for low-tech children. They could have a boiled sweet when we saw the first sign to Glasgow. That kind of thing.

Apart from the fact that they're developmentally useless (IMO), I think it's a bit sad if technology replaces parents engaging with their children.

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I couldn't agree more with this. My 6 and 8 year olds don't have tablets and won't for the foreseeable future. They watch a bit of TV (sometimes more than I think is ideal), but other than that they're busy doing - playing, reading, talking, using their imaginations and being physically active. If they had tablets they'd probably choose that over lots of other things because they're highly addictive, which is widely known and is why they're such a useful tool for keeping kids quiet.
They have no problems navigating tech - they use computers at school and occasionally at home, and they know how to make my phone do things I can't even though they're hardly ever allowed to touch it.
I've no worries at all about them being "left behind" in terms of using technology, but I firmly believe that by denying them tablets we're giving them the best chance of being well-rounded, physically and mentally healthy people with a wide range of interests. I believe the later you leave it, the less chance of it becoming an all-consuming obsession.