Do I need to get my child a tablet?

[amazinggrace321]

I have a child in year 2. We don’t have tablets at home and she never uses our phone. I feel we are becoming the minority. School have given Numbots log ins. Are tablets beneficial? Is there anything she is missing out on? She seems quick with number bonds / times tables and reads a lot, plays games and keeps herself busy colouring. But will she be at a disadvantage? She is on track for everything so no issues academically I don’t think. Thanks in advance

No, you don’t need it.

some computer games are good, but reading books, listening to times tables songs in the car and everyday maths is fine at this age.

Much better off without one imo!

Definitely not. A lot of reading is now prescribed on websites and a lot of Maths hw is also online. As a teacher myself, I have serious concerns about this. Old-fashioned paper is far superior. Children see patterns in Maths, they touch and handle a book. It’s all really important for understanding and ownership of learning.

No if anything get a family laptop or PC. Tablets are dumb and don't teach how to use a computer/keyboard/mouse. In my own opinion! I know people differ. Sometimes they get a chrome book thing from school, my middle son did but my youngest hasn't.

Personally I hooked up my laptop via hdmi to the big tv downstairs for BBC bitesize games or maths websites. Even now with my youngest we play the Horrible Histories bbc bitesize game and Mathmatica. Some really great stuff on there. If you have a smart TV you could cast it I suppose

Numberjacks is quite a good show and maths mansion. Oldies but on YouTube

Maybe not yet, but very soon you will need some sort of family device she can have (supervised!!!) Internet access on. Laptop or tablet.

Every day I wish I hadn't!

Thanks all! I’m trying to hold off as long as possible as she’s never asked for one. She loves Numberblocks and we try to incorporate maths into every day life. Just wasn’t sure if I was missing anything. I get the impression school think Numbots will help with speedy recall. I don’t think she has a problem here but don’t know what other children are doing

Thanks @Keroppii think this is how I would start when needed

Thank you @SkyWalrusthat’s what I thought - particularly when it comes to things like spelling I’m not sure apps are great for that

It will be the Times Tables screening in Yr4 they are aiming at... they have 6 seconds a question so need to be fast. Seems madness when she's only in Yr2, but it helps.

However, if you know the questions they are practicing you can easily do it verbally if you have the time and patience. Not all parents do, which is why the apps help.

Thank you. She is already great at her times tables thanks to Numberblocks but would be let down by the tech aspect of it. I’ll have to see how this goes!