Tablet type thing for two year old

darlingsweetpea · 2023-10-29T09:20:53+00:00

Firstly please do not shame me! I've got my 5 year old an Amazon fire for Christmas for her to use for schoolwork and entertainment. My 2 year old will kick off every time she uses it, so I was wondering if anyone new of something similar but very basic and cheap. It not going to be used properly and it'll probably spend most of it's time being part of a toy obstacle course so it's just so he is the same. Thank you _____ If you've landed on this page looking for recommendations, we've recently updated our [[https://www.mumsnet.com/swearsby/best-kids-tablets best tablets for kids]] page, featuring recommended products from Apple, Amazon, Samsung, Lenovo and more, as tried and tested by real parents. We hope you find this useful. MNHQ [flowers]

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 29/10/2023 09:21

I think the kids kindle is meant to be good

Pinkpinkpink15 · 29/10/2023 09:29

A 5yo does not need a tablet for school work, so just admit it's for playing on.

Buy them some books & art supplies, much better for them both.

honestly, screens are not good for them. Proper toys they can actually play with are SO much better. It's a slippery slope to not wanting to do anything that requires thought or action. You won't see it immediately, but you will in time.

i know I sound like an old grump, but I've seen it over & over. I know them playing games is cute & harmless & at the beginning they seem to be able to take it or leave it, but that changes & they stop using their imagination to play.

Trainhel · 29/10/2023 09:45

One of those LCD drawing boards? They look like a tablet but fun for a 2 year old I’d think

Original poster

darlingsweetpea · 29/10/2023 09:46

I said it was for some entertainment but also homework. Explain to me how my child can access Google classroom and phonic videos from school when the only device I own is my mobile phone?

@Pinkpinkpink15 you have absolutely NO idea the amount of hours I spend doing crafts, nature walks trips out, playing shops, kitchens and dolls. I can assure you it's a lot!

People like you with your unhelpful comments can really make people doubt themselves. I didn't ask to be moaned at, I asked if there was anything I could do to prevent arguments, so keep your negative thoughts to yourself please.

OP posts:

Original poster

darlingsweetpea · 29/10/2023 09:49

That's a good idea, one step up from the old fashioned board where you have a pen to scribble then use a plastic thing to clear it that we use. Currently drawing shapes with! @Pinkpinkpink15 see something helpful!

OP posts:

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 29/10/2023 09:54

We got DD2 the Kindle Fire Kids tablet 3-7yrs. Perfect for her watching her videos.

People can try to shame me about this all they like but I have learnt not to give two shits what others think of me. My children (9 and 3) are both bright, sociable, active, into crafty things, love reading… They are polite and empathetic to others. They have loads of toys to play with: cars, dolls, role play kitchen and shops, tools, dress up, books, colouring, play doh…

Tablets make life easier when I or they need some downtime or when on long journeys, feeling ill, etc.

watcherintherye · 29/10/2023 10:19

It’s so funny that even when the op tries to pre-empt criticism with a full mission statement, some people just can’t resist! Things have changed in the classroom. It really is just assumed that children will have access to tech. Which doesn’t have to be the Devil’s work, if managed properly!

bettynutkins · 29/10/2023 10:27

The LCD drawing pads are really cheap and good. My 3 and 1 year olds love scribbling on them and my 3 year old calls it an iPad.

Pinkpinkpink15 · 29/10/2023 11:16

darlingsweetpea · 29/10/2023 09:46

I said it was for some entertainment but also homework. Explain to me how my child can access Google classroom and phonic videos from school when the only device I own is my mobile phone?

@Pinkpinkpink15 you have absolutely NO idea the amount of hours I spend doing crafts, nature walks trips out, playing shops, kitchens and dolls. I can assure you it's a lot!

People like you with your unhelpful comments can really make people doubt themselves. I didn't ask to be moaned at, I asked if there was anything I could do to prevent arguments, so keep your negative thoughts to yourself please.

i NEVER said you don't currently do loads with them & if you calm down & reread my post you'll understand I was saying this will impact their future, not the time they play on them now. You're being unnecessarily prickly.

I asked if there was anything I could do to prevent arguments

and I gave you MY opinion, but to spell it out clearly..

Don't give the eldest a tablet. Make it your tablet she borrows for school work, tell the youngest ''No, for big school'. Yeah he'll initially kick off, but no harm in learning 'no' means 'no'

so keep your negative thoughts to yourself please

Ok - but remember this when they're 7 & 10 & don't want to do anything but use their devices.💁🏻‍♀️💁🏻‍♀️

Original poster

darlingsweetpea · 29/10/2023 11:37

@Pinkpinkpink15 you said in your post 'admit it is for entertainment and a 5 year old doesn't need one for homework' which is nonsense. Other posters have made some great suggestions of things I can buy that will resemble a tablet, which is exactly what I asked for.

I feel for any children in your life that have to deal with your fear of losing the ability to use their imagination to role play and craft work just because they have access to a tablet. Sadly those without technology at ages 7 and 10 will be behind their peers. I'm not saying it's right but it's the way the world is moving.

OP posts:

SalmonWellington · 29/10/2023 16:28

They really really won't be behind their peers because they don't have access to a tablet.

Pinkpinkpink15 · 29/10/2023 23:55

darlingsweetpea · 29/10/2023 11:37

@Pinkpinkpink15 you said in your post 'admit it is for entertainment and a 5 year old doesn't need one for homework' which is nonsense. Other posters have made some great suggestions of things I can buy that will resemble a tablet, which is exactly what I asked for.

I feel for any children in your life that have to deal with your fear of losing the ability to use their imagination to role play and craft work just because they have access to a tablet. Sadly those without technology at ages 7 and 10 will be behind their peers. I'm not saying it's right but it's the way the world is moving.

@darlingsweetpea

its not nonsense. A 5 year old does not need a tablet of their own tablet for homework. And a 2 yo doesn't need a tablet because you can't say 'no'. If the 5 yo is using YOUR (ie the new kindle) for homework, and you tell your 2 year old no, then you don't need to buy yet another device for them.

your 2 year old will notice the difference in minutes, hers plays games and his just lets him draw shapes or whatever, he 's 2 not stupid.

No need to feel sorry for the (much older) children in my life.

your children aren't 7&10, they're 5 and two (not much past being a baby and you want to give them a tablet for Christmas)

I think it's a mistake to give such young children tablets off their own, but if you're not open to experience/advice, you just crack on.

TheUsualChaos · 29/10/2023 23:59

100% agree, @Pinkpinkpink15 5 year old does not need their own tablet. Definitely not a 2 year old. You think they will start off with minimal use but trust me they look to have them more and more and they become a constant source of conflict.

Raindancer101 · 30/10/2023 00:08

@darlingsweetpea My 5yo has the biggest amazon kids tablet and my 2yo has the smallest.

Access is restricted, they don't have them daily, not even weekly, and I have no issues with the fact they have them, it's the world we live in. They are fine 😆

Screamingabdabz · 30/10/2023 00:13

I’m amazed that any primary aged child is given unfettered access to their own individual screens. I’d invest in one cheapo iPad or laptop for school work and that’s it. Go to the library and get them to read books. Honestly it’ll sting now but the social, psychological and academic reward later on will be so worth it.

Prettypennies · 30/10/2023 01:37

my 3 year old loves the LCD drawing pad, you can draw on them in rainbow colours and then ‘delete’ the picture.

they’re only about £10 on Amazon too!

noscoobydoodle · 30/10/2023 02:14

My youngest has a very old kindle bought second hand for £20. I downloaded a few cbeebies games and videos onto it and he uses it when we go on long car journeys. He also has an LCD drawing pad that he likes but he knows it's not a tablet! My older kids have newer kindle fires - they use a kids chat app to keep in touch with friends and download videos to watch on long car journeys. I found beyond the phonics video stage the kindle wasn't great for homework and so they also have a Chromebook.

verybookish · 30/10/2023 03:19

OP- obviously it’s your children, your choice. And you will find many, many parents who fully agree with your choices.

I have three children. 8,6,3. we are a no screen household. This means that children have zero screen time with the exception of a family film once in a blue moon. we also don’t use screens for homework - children don’t need to watch videos to learn phonics - and where it really can’t be avoided - they use my device and we do it together.

i think the argument that children need to have tech in their lives to become tech literate is bs. Coding? Yes! (And you can begin to learn about that without screens, too, btw). But user interfaces are so simple now that they don’t require skill at all.

My children are not behind their peers academically or socially. Quite the contrary.

we used to be a low screen household up until 4 years ago (low = about 20 mins every 3 days or so). Going completely screen free has been one of the best decisions we have made as a family. I thoroughly recommend it.

Muststopeating · 30/10/2023 03:52

I have read a lot of reviews on here that say the kids kindle isn't great and you are better looking at a branded Android like the Samsung (lower end version).

I also have one of those LCD things for the youngest and it's great. Though someone went off with the pen after a birthday party so it's currently defunct. Sigh.

I have a 6, (nearly) 5 & 2 year old and have been toying getting the older two a tablet since flying abroad last year.

We are fortunate that my eldest goes to a tiny school and are all given their own iPads. These are then very much school work only. It also means the younger two don't fuss.

I was once again contemplating a tablet for Christmas because the middle DC (still in nursery) would benefit from Teach Your Monster to Read and Duolingo. I have decided against it though.

Someone once told me that when it comes to giving your children mobile phones (in future years) the worst thing you can do is give them as presents. Then they become 'theirs'.

This logic makes sense to me so if we do buy a tablet I am going to buy one single family tablet... It won't be a present.

You'll know your child and I would have no bother with telling my eldest it was time up. But my middle went through a phase where enough was never enough and it would be more hassle than it was worth.

I've also seen how awful it is when friends children have come to stay, brought their tablets and suddenly that's all anyone wants to do. Play just stops. That and the fact that my children always seem to be the only ones in a restaurant without devices.

But my god there are many a weekends that I would happily order 3 tablets on next day delivery just for 5 minutes peace. (So ask me how my resolve is in a year 🙈)

LLInADaze · 30/10/2023 04:48

This reminds me of my grandparents in the 80s claiming I'd get square eyes if I watched too much TV. Guess what.. my eyes are just fine. The OP asked for recommendations, not lectures!

Mumoftwotoddlers · 30/10/2023 10:07

I'd also suggest those little drawing pads, you can get them for £1 online, my 5 & 2 year old love them