Let 3 year old use iPad?

[Herts501]

Would you let a just-turned 3 year old play age appropriate educational games on an iPad? (supervised and time limited)

Myself and my husband are having a difference of opinion!

No, I think 3 is too young.

Hell no.

Of course. Why not? If they're educational I don't see the problem.

Oops. My just turned 3 year old has been playing games on the iPad for about a year. Instigated by his Dad, I wasn't a fan at first, but it's more interactive than watching something

Absolutely, it’s more educational and engaging than watching tv in my eyes (and their attention span means you don’t even need to limit it for a bit)

No, just because I think they get enough screen time with a bit of telly and there are plenty of other things to do.

No. People who do research on this don’t let their kids use tablets and phones at this age.

No I’d avoid tablets/iPads as long as possible tbh.

Before kids I'd have said no but now I've got them it's a yes from me but just not for too long. 10 mins without being talked to constantly so I can get something done quickly - yes please!

No. I'm not against screens but I think the portable nature of phones / tablets means they end up being used a lot more frequently and can often become the default option.

Yes. There are some great maths apps that my DS loved at that age.

Don't!! It's a slippery slope (talking from experience). Keep them away from an iPad as long as you can! Wish I'd have taken my own advice 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yes, as long as she appropriate

No.

Yes of course, educational and time limited sounds completely appropriate to me. The vast majority of children use iPads and even when they start school they use iPads as part of their learning.
My little one uses reading eggs and a maths app for addition and subtraction which I feel has really helped him.

No, absolutely not

Just nope.

Yes. It’s a good way to teach and encourage self regulation of screen time. We bought a kids Amazon tablet for his 3rd birthday. He uses it at a weekend only for about an hour. He’s happy to switch it off and there’s no behavioural issues when doing so. The educational games are interesting and he enjoys them and learns a lot. We also play together and discuss/interact with what he’s doing.

It's a bit like food. If kids get used to processed food, it's harder to get them to eat, say, steamed broccoli. If they are used to iPad games which offer instant gratification, it's harder for them to get used to settling down with a book. Yes, you can have rules and limits, but it's frankly easier to avoid it altogether when they are so little.

Wrecked my son. Banned him for the next 3 years until he was 6 and could understand consequences.

No. Purely because I can’t be bothered with the pestering and meltdowns for more that it would create. I think it would cause more problems than it would solve. I don’t think tech is evil, but my 3 yo certainly does not have enough self control or concept of too much of a good thing to manage his behaviour around something like that. The TV is difficult enough to navigate.

Yep. There are some great games available! My 4yo is currently enjoying sudoku and "cut the rope".

Have a look at Khan academy kids, and for slightly older kids, dragon box. Also there are loads of great puzzle games on Apple Arcade many of which are manageable by a 4yo.

No. Why would a 3 year old need to use an iPad? If you want a bit of screen time use the tv, put on a set programme then turn it off. Screen time is then only associated with the tv, at home for set periods. No drama out and about whinging for the phone iPad etc. if they don't know it's a possibility they won't ask for it.

Mine are long past childhood, but I feel that children are missing out on concrete experiences such as turning pages, using colouring pencils, painting and brushes, gluing and using glitter on home-cards.

I should add my kids engage enthusiastically with iPad games for about 10-15min and then put it down voluntarily. TV is the one they could stare at for hours