Page 4 | Tablet recommendations for nearly 3 year old

Bitzee · Yesterday 21:47

arethereanyleftatall · Yesterday 19:26

What would he have done on a journey 50 years ago?

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I don’t know about 50 years ago but 30 years ago short haul planes tended to have drop down screens every few rows that showed something vaguely family friendly you could plug into. Before that I don’t think it was particularly common for families to fly a lot?

Mine have an ipad with headphones and I download some films plus they have a crayola colouring app. I’m allll for ease when travelling because it’s a pretty unique situation where they must stay still and quiet for hours, and seriously honestly fuck carrying a luggage of wrapped up presents and picking crayons up off the floor every 30 seconds. It really isn’t a gateway drug to screen addiction. My 5YO never gets it outside of travel and wouldn’t think to ask, because he thinks it’s a travel thing. My 9YO gets more time on it for stuff like TT Rockstars but doesn’t not and will not get you tube kids, roblox or anything else brain rotting.

Millie2790 · Yesterday 22:12

ParentsTrapped · Yesterday 21:32

I’ve taken my kids (8 and 5 now) on lots of flights and very long car journeys and never needed a tablet. They love their yoto players and otherwise we read them stories or entertained them. Harder work for us for sure but I’m pleased because they don’t default to screens, have a good attention span, and my 8yo will now read to entertain himself whereas his friends are just glued to their screens.

I totally get and agree that there’s nothing wrong with occasional use but unfortunately the reality is that for most families it very quickly stops being occasional use because it’s so effective at keeping kids quiet and happy. Just on flights becomes just on flight and car journeys. And meals out. And when parents are a bit tired or need to get jobs done. And on special occasions. And when kids are tired. And when kids have whined for it incessantly. I’ve seen it happen with almost every child I know. And the younger siblings don’t stand a chance because they have access essentially from birth. My 2yo niece rejects picture books in favour of swiping at her mum’s phone.

I would think seriously about introducing it for such a young child and if you do go ahead then decide on the boundaries up front.

As for the phonics app @Millie2790 - all the evidence shows that these are terrible for learning. The best way of teaching a child to read is with actual books. Not your fault obviously but the school can’t make you use screens (and shouldn’t try imo) - your child won’t fall behind if you don’t use it.

I understand the evidence around reading, and it’s something we already do every day with plenty of actual books. He loves stories and has a great attention span.

For me, the app isn’t there instead of reading, it’s just one of a number of things i’ll use to help me understand his phonics scheme. We’ve also been going to fun little phonics classes and a pre-school book club and the library.

I think sometimes these discussions about using technology can become a bit all-or-nothing, when in reality different tools including apps work well for different children and families. Reading together is invaluable, but that doesn’t automatically mean an educational app has no place alongside it. I’m happy to explore an app and see whether it’s useful! His school is amazing and uses continuous play based provision through KS1 with amazing outcomes so they don’t have children on screens or at desks all day so if they recommend an app that they’ve seen make a positive difference I’m all for trying it.

ParentsTrapped · Yesterday 22:49

Millie2790 · Yesterday 22:12

I understand the evidence around reading, and it’s something we already do every day with plenty of actual books. He loves stories and has a great attention span.

For me, the app isn’t there instead of reading, it’s just one of a number of things i’ll use to help me understand his phonics scheme. We’ve also been going to fun little phonics classes and a pre-school book club and the library.

I think sometimes these discussions about using technology can become a bit all-or-nothing, when in reality different tools including apps work well for different children and families. Reading together is invaluable, but that doesn’t automatically mean an educational app has no place alongside it. I’m happy to explore an app and see whether it’s useful! His school is amazing and uses continuous play based provision through KS1 with amazing outcomes so they don’t have children on screens or at desks all day so if they recommend an app that they’ve seen make a positive difference I’m all for trying it.

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You could have just downloaded the app on your phone to “explore” it (and would soon see it’s a waste of time) but instead have bought a tablet to accommodate it, seemingly uncritically because the school says so.

If your child already loves reading and is doing well he has no need of a reward-based app to support it. Phonics is one of many tools to support reading - not an end in itself. All he needs to learn to read is to practice reading actual books.

Schools have mostly bought into screens without question and without the research on the damage they do having had time to filter through. Im sure kids love this particular app - the reason why apps are fun and engaging for kids is the same reason that screens generally are addictive and damaging - but doesn’t mean there are any educational benefits. All of the actual evidence shows that screen based learning is less effective than any other method.

Limon22 · Yesterday 22:54

snoringnights · Yesterday 17:54

Looking for recommendations of a tablet/ipad style for my nearly 3 year old? Going on holiday soon, first time on aeroplane and looking for something to help keep him entertained on the plane. ideally something I can download Netflix etc onto for films?

thanks

Ignore all these people. Mumsnet love to do this (I lost three stone this year and asked for skin firming recommendations on another thread and got heaps of people lecturing me about protein, very few people read the questions here)

We don’t have an iPad kid he’s nearly 4. He is great at restaurants, draws, colours games, books etc. but we travel a lot as I am not from the UK and for planes he gets my husband’s iPad as a special ‘only for travel’ perk. Once we are home it gets locked away and doesn’t come out until the next plane journey we’ve had zero issues. It’s just regular iPad and download bbc player or some episodes of whatever we know he likes. No YouTube, he doesn’t get free rein or choice. He currently loves Peppa and Paddington so that’s what we’ve downloaded.

and yes get some headphone. Amazon have some reasonably priced ones.

HyggeTygge123 · Yesterday 22:55

Amazon fire. We only allow it for holidays, she isn’t allowed it at home.

Rubeeee · Yesterday 22:59

Sticker books ,colouring books,,snacks etc . How long is the flight for? My children were fine 2-4 hour flights 20 years ago.

Morecustardcreams · Yesterday 23:04

None needed as that's how the downward spiral starts. Books, puzzles, drawing, colouring, those water magic pads or Crayola no mess colouring books are great.

However if you must then Amazon one is affordable. Just steer clear of YouTube🙏

HyggeTygge123 · Yesterday 23:06

@Morecustardcreams honestlt doesn’t have to be a downward spiral. You’re the parent, you’re in charge of it. My daughter has it for the plane journey and that’s it. She is almost six and doesn’t pester for more. When we are on holiday she’s not allowed it at the table for meals etc. it’s just for the long boring plane journeys

moonshineandsun · Yesterday 23:36

Toni box and yoto are great - I really wouldn’t suggest a tablet for your 2 year old , screen time isn’t really recommended at all for that age group.

Millie2790 · Yesterday 23:58

ParentsTrapped · Yesterday 22:49

You could have just downloaded the app on your phone to “explore” it (and would soon see it’s a waste of time) but instead have bought a tablet to accommodate it, seemingly uncritically because the school says so.

If your child already loves reading and is doing well he has no need of a reward-based app to support it. Phonics is one of many tools to support reading - not an end in itself. All he needs to learn to read is to practice reading actual books.

Schools have mostly bought into screens without question and without the research on the damage they do having had time to filter through. Im sure kids love this particular app - the reason why apps are fun and engaging for kids is the same reason that screens generally are addictive and damaging - but doesn’t mean there are any educational benefits. All of the actual evidence shows that screen based learning is less effective than any other method.

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I bought a tablet because I allow him to watch a film when we travel… the apps just something else it can be used for if I decide to.

Honestly, I think the all or nothing approach is more damaging. At 4 my child can watch a film when we travel without it being a big deal or detrimental to his future.