so do lo's really LEARN anything from these Vtech learning systems?

[deaconblue]

Should I be buying one for ds (18months)? I can't see how they are any more educational than reading books, playing iwth toys etc but the marketting is making me feel a bit guilty for not providing him with one

waste of money imo. ds is 2.4 and never had one. I like to think he's not a total numbskull

agree with waste of money. Children don't need screen time like tv/pcs etc, playing with toys and reading to them much better imo, especially for younger dcs like your ds

Some people think that they are detrimental as they may limit imagination and make the kids sit like morons looking at flashing lights. Personally I don't have them because I can't stand the noise. here

I tend to think that when they are young they can't understand what to do and just stab at the keys and when they are old enough they aren't interested - it is too babyish for them. So no, don't bother.

DS1 started to play with the proper computer at 4.5 and DS2 who is just 4 hasn't shown any interest yet and I am in no hurry so will wait until he gets interested. There are many more possibilities for learning at an older age with a proper computer.

They are IMO a heap of steaming shite. We have one (a gift from grandma) that claims to be suitable for ages 3-6. One question it asks is "Can you indicate the position of the monkey in relation to the lion?"

My dd learns far far more from doing real things, like "helping" me and going in the garden.

i think it depends on the situation my ds 2.6 speech delayed only started to attempt to talk by playing games on ceebeebies he started copying what they werew saying even salt he wouldnt do this now salt has seen big improvement

we got him v tech smile as he knows his numbers and letters and colours and has learnt alot from playing on it time is limited we still do other things but as it has improved his progress i wont stop it

last few days his new word is corrigated roof or sounds similar not exact but he learnt this from bob the builder game

if child just left on game all the time then it will do no good but short periods of time helps stimulate but i got mine second hand no large amounts of money spent

bubblagirl, obviously in your case its helped your ds a lot but I do think 18mo is too young for one and he wouldn't get much out of it, that's only my opinion of course

I agree with the steaming shite comment, although bubblagirl's experience with them sounds useful.

i will say at 18 mths i wouldnt have considered getting my ds anything like this playing with him was more fun and cheaper and better way to interact

shape sorters and bricks was our thing as well as stories

We had a vsmile and I was so happy when it broke (or could have worn out!).

I happily had my £50 refund and thanked the lord that Ds1 understood that it was broken and he couldn't play it anymore.

I think they can be detrimental - they don't teach phonics they teach ABC (ay bee see) so it would be really unhelpful.

I don't know whether the leapad ones are better but don't intend to find out!

good good good so can still feel smug about being a super duper parent then

No, free play with toys and time with you and reading books is MUCH better than these bits of crap

i HATE all of the flashing, beeping, computerised shite!!! DD has had lots of flashing things, i now ask people not to buy them, i think she is getting a bit old now (2.3). I think bubblagirls experience is different because she has clearly sat with her DS to help with his speech delay (my dd has speech delay too and it does focus you on finding ways to help). My DD does like the computor though ( not that i let her, its MINE!!!)

I know that im probably being a bit of a sheep but i rather like the fashion for toys the encourage the childs own imagination etc.

You know, im not sure about the phonics. Someone mentioned this, i have been teaching phonics to my DD, yeah like she gets it at her age! But just in general, when we see letters and have insisted DP do the same. I have recently read though in a magazine for parents given out by the head teacher association that we shouldnt worry about it, just teach ABC etc, as they pick up the phonics at school