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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Is my DS the only 6 year old in the UK

156 replies

nappyaddict · 13/07/2012 17:51

Without access to a laptop, PC, ipad, tablet, itouch, ipod, nintendo DS, wii, xbox, leapster, leappad or playstation?

Because it seems that way! Am I depriving him?

OP posts:

colditz · 15/07/2012 20:16

Probably he is the only six year old, or close to, and yes,you are depriving him. Year one children are assessed on their ict skills and your son won't have any.

zookeeper · 15/07/2012 20:18

I think you are depriving him tbh

Lucyellensmum99 · 15/07/2012 20:21

My DD (aged 6) has a DS that she never uses, a Wii that she uses very occasionally (both hand me downs from her much older sister). She uses the lap top i would say once a week and sometimes she doesnt do this. I don't censor the use as she doesn't spend much time on these things. I wuldnt have bought the wii or DS. they were presents from her sister (now 22), i woudlnt ahve bought them as i cant afford it and she really doesn't use them enough to warrant a purchase. DD does play on the lap-top, but again, not that much - im not going to get all precious about media use. It has its value and of course internet will be essential for homework im sure

Fuzzymuzz · 15/07/2012 20:23

My 1 year old plays with bashes my iPhone...

Honestly though, she will have access to the Internet and a pc from an early age. With the working world the way it is, and computer technology changing rapidly I want to ensure that she is confident using such things, and able to keep up with changes.

I however come at this from a slightly different perspective, as my Dad is a computer programmer and has been ever since computers took up an entire room! I've had access to a pc since I was approx 4-5 years old, and access to the Internet since I was about 11. I'm now 31. I just don't see the issue.

5madthings · 15/07/2012 20:40

Probably he is the only six year old, or close to, and yes,you are depriving him. Year one children are assessed on their ict skills and your son won't have any.

not true, my ds1 and ds2 didnt have access to them at that age, we had an old ps2 that was dp's they didnt really use it at that time, they were home school till age 9 and 6, and RARELY used the pc, infact ds2 didnt use it at all. funny they are now 12 and 10 and both computer literate infact ds1 is so good his high school teacher says he is gifted, he is doing programming etc, and he actually helps teach the other kids in his yr. he didnt start using the pc at home regularly until he was at high school, so it hasnt held him back in anyway.

they ops ds will probably use the pc etc at school, hell even my ds4 uses an ipad thingy at pre-school! not that he uses the pc or the games consoles at home, but he manages well enough at pre-school!

MrsJohnDeere · 15/07/2012 20:49

Not depriving him but I'd be amazed if he didn't rebel against it hugely as and when he leaves home.

I wasn't allowed TV, chocolate, fun generally as a child. As soon as I left home I got a TV, watched stupid amounts of tv, ate far too much bad stuff, just because I could. School years were hell too at times because I couldn't relate to or join in 'normal' conversations with other children - had no idea what they were talking about.

Houseworkprocrastinator · 15/07/2012 21:03

I live with a man boy computer geek so in the house we have, 2 laptops, mac desktop, iPad, iPod, Xbox, pstation, wii, ds.

The children own a storio each. Which the eldest loves and uses lots but little one doesn't use much.

Both children 3 and 6 use the iPad well. I have a fair few educational games but the little one seems to like the talking cat. :)
They don't really use the computers at all. As for the game consoles we don't limit access but they just arent interested in playing on them, think the last time the wii was used was when I bought the Zumba game and was going to do it every day (about 6 months ago)

Mine prefer playing outside. (their dad on the other hand... )

fivegomadindorset · 15/07/2012 21:06

We have Wii, can't remember the last time they used it, they get occasional access to the internet, but they never really ask, more than happy reading books and playing in the yard.

Tgger · 15/07/2012 21:07

Does he watch TV?

I give both kids (nearly 6, nearly 4) between 30 mins and an hour of "screen time" a day. DD nearly 4 always watches TV at this time, DS nearly 6 now chooses almost always to do "computer games", which means my laptop, cbeebies site or other websites he knows- storylab is a favourite at the moment . He prefers "computer games" to TV as it's more interactive. There are all sorts of vaguely educational games on there too that I often find him absorbed in- always he's in the same room as me so I can keep an eye.

We don't do any other technology but I see what he does do as useful. His school report commented that he knows how to log onto the programme they do there (painting or similar) and helped the other children log on and off .

nethunsreject · 15/07/2012 21:09

Do you have a little bit of a superiority thang going on about it?

Not insinuating you do, just wondering!

peeriebear · 15/07/2012 21:12

DD2 is nearly six and got a (2nd hand) DS for Christmas. She is allowed on the laptop for limited periods and loves Moshi Monsters and CBeebies games. We have a Wii but haven't had batteries in the remotes for months.
TBH I'm not worried, she is one of the top readers in her class and is quite happy playing imaginary games and playing outside.

Meglet · 15/07/2012 21:19

DS will be 6 soon(ish). The only thing he has out of your list is that he is allowed to look at things on the internet, and even then it's usually educational stuff I've chosen and pressed all the buttons.

He never plays games on the computer, I don't have them on my phone anyway and we don't have a games console. I intend to keep it that way for a while yet. They do I.T at school and they are allowed to play on the Cbeebies website during wet break.

brdgrl · 15/07/2012 21:19

no - and good for you; keep it up as long as it works for you.

internet access a necessity at six? hee.

HolyCameraConfusionBatman · 15/07/2012 21:20

I think you are depriving him of computer/laptop, the rest doesn't matter as much. In this day and age being able to confidently/compentently use a computer/IT is as important as being able to read/do basic maths. He will learn to read at school, but I imagine you support this at home? He will be able to use computer/interactive whiteboard at school, but if you can you should support this at home just as you do with reading/maths etc.

littleducks · 15/07/2012 22:05

DD is 6. She is in yr 1.

They walk down to the ICT suite and have ICT lessons. They have been learning about digital photography this last term, she can take photos, upload to the PC, alter them (change colours, correct red eye) and print them. She has made a t shirt with her photo printed on (think there was more adult help for that).

I let her use a computer and iPhone at home.

I am a bit suprised at your stance and think it will possible make it harder for your ds to use computers at school-in reception dd was learning to touch type, things like that need practice.

Sylvie1980 · 15/07/2012 22:33

I actually kind of envy you as I'm sure my DCs won't be the same at that age and it bothers me a bit - only in some much as I see children for whom it has become allconsuming and I really don't want my DCs to be like this. HOWEVER, IT use is part of the EYFS and NC and is a pretty essential life skill these days, so while I do not in any sense think your DS is deprived, I do think that these things shouldn't be seen as entirely negative - there are benefits to being able to use (some) of them.

As a teenager most people I knew had a games console and I was never allowed one. It actually didn't bother me at the time. However, I learned to touch type on a typewriter at 12 (still incredibly valuable at work and at home - although possibly also the reason I write such loooong posts on MN!) and was one of the first people in my school to hand in all my A level homework where I could get away with it, written up on the computer. As with most things there is no hard line between use of these things as a 'good' thing, versus as a 'bad' thing.

dontcallmehon · 15/07/2012 22:39

Dd has PC access, but that's it. Her school report stated that her IT skills were outstanding, so I don't think she needs anything else. I do think PC access is useful though. She likes to use google ( she calls it goodle) to find out facts about space and other topics she's interested in. There are lots of educational games she plays, too.

seeker · 15/07/2012 22:43

I think that it's as bad to deprive a child of this age of any access at all to modern technology is as bad as depriving him of books.

Please note, before I get flamed, that I said any access- many children have far too much, obviously. but none wt all is a mistake.

stinkymice · 15/07/2012 22:59

My 6 yr old has just got his school reading book on an internet site. So if he didn't have access yes he would be deprived!

The school reading book site is ace though and DS is so happy to do his reading.

Odmedod · 15/07/2012 23:03

But surely they learn how to use computers, mouse etc in school? Why do they need access at home?

My 6yo doesn't have access to any of these, nor do we have a television, but she learns how to use PCs at school. We do have computers at home, but they're work machines, and the children know they are not to touch them. We do put music on for them using the computer though.

Devora · 15/07/2012 23:06

My 6yo is occasionally allowed to play on my laptop, under supervision. Once or twice a week, I reckon. When she stays at her dad's she plays on his iPad.

We don't have all that other stuff, though of course she uses the computer at school. I am beginning to think, though, that I need to get a cheap-but-sturdy PC for her use quite soon.

TheCatInTheHairnet · 15/07/2012 23:30

I think there are some amazing websites available for kids, that are educational and fun. I think at 6, he's more than old enough to be having a go with them. Same for some of the iPad games.

That said, if he is indifferent, it's not really an issue.

Timandra · 15/07/2012 23:32

Depriving is probably too strong a word but you aren't nurturing skills which will be important to him in later years.

The EYFS curriculum has significant focus on ICT skills simply because we need those skills to be successful in many areas of our lives. There's no getting away from the fact that technology is becoming a more and more important part of our lives all the time.

Your DS will be learning ICT skills at school and will probably pick them up very quickly. However being allowed to develop them at home will make sure he fills in any gaps, boost his confidence and speed in ICT lessons and may help him feel included in conversations between his peers which he is currently excluded from.

It's up to you to make the judgement about how important those things are and balance them against the benefits you feel he receives from his current, fairly ICT-free, life.

seeker · 15/07/2012 23:37

And when you go on holiday, make sure you don't corrupt his innocent mind with aeroplanes- only go to places you can reach on foot........

NoComet · 15/07/2012 23:53

Probably in the minority.

DD2 could navigate the entire Cbeebies web site by 3. Long before she could read, she could find the page she wanted. She had an amazing memory because she took bizarre routes through the Welsh Tweenies pages.

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