Non-Audio question - Tablets for the kidos

EndersShadow

So this is a TOTALLY off topic non audio thread...

If you've bought a tablet for your child recently, what did you buy and why?

We are thinking about buying Skye our 18 month old a tablet to just play around with. Nothing like an iPad as far as cost and speed, but just curious to all you dad's out there what your using....

We found the Nabi I think its called, and my wife found something called the Orbo Jr, but wanted to know what else is out there I should be looking at.

This is for her christmas gift so we've got time.

Thinking budget of 250 max, but prefer to be much closer to 100.....

Willow

We let ours use the Blackberry Playbooks. You can buy them dirt cheap and load up xvids on them too. No need to use proprietary software just drag and drop. We have a 3 year old and an 18 month old. We use them only when we travel. Before going to Florida in April I bought a 16g PB for $60. Yes, it's no longer supported but for the price, if the kid breaks it no big deal.

tonyb

Call me crazy, but a tablet for a 2 year old....I dunno man, seems a tad young. I know there's a lot of tablets on the market, cheap androids for around 100 bucks that if they break, yeah so what...but, do you really want your kids nose buried in a computer at such an early age ?

Willow

tonyb wrote: »

Call me crazy, but a tablet for a 2 year old....I dunno man, seems a tad young. I know there's a lot of tablets on the market, cheap androids for around 100 bucks that if they break, yeah so what...but, do you really want your kids nose buried in a computer at such an early age ?

I agree. Which is why as mentioned only use ours for TV shows/movies when we travel. Heck we have no cable in the house they get no screen time. Once in a blue moon we'll turn on Netflix Kids for max 30-60 mins. We figure they have their whole life to spend infront of the screen, they should be playing while they still can.

badchad

If you want something to get you started, Amazon has these "Pronto Tec Axius Series" tablets. They're bottom-of-the barrel cheap (about $50). You probably get what you pay for, and some complain about the resolution and viewing angles, but it runs Android.

If I had a small kid that would inevitably drop it in the mud, break it, or puke on it, I'd go this route.

tonyb

I know tablets become easy babysitters...certainly worth it for travel purposes, but for movies they do make dvd systems to add to cars at reasonable prices. Even make holders for tablets that go into the back of a headrest. Watching a movie while traveling for a 2 year old...I get that, but seems to me you have options other than letting the kid play around on a tablet.

I have one niece, who's dad thinks that buying her all the cool toys will somehow make up for his absence. Just turned 5 years old and has an Ipad and cell phone. Has her nose buried in either one all the time. Needless to say, her social skills have suffered for it.

ZLTFUL

I know Skye is a lot younger but when I take my 16 year old daughter's cell phone, laptop and streaming services away from her, she is much more fun to be around. The rest of the time, I would like to punch her in the throat for having her face buried in her cell phone 24/7.

I would look at the Leap Pad tablet as it is more focused on/based around education. It's a slippery slope my friend. And you don't want her developing social skills with the tablet.

ZLTFUL

I know Skye is a lot younger but when I take my 16 year old daughter's cell phone, laptop and streaming services away from her, she is much more fun to be around. The rest of the time, I would like to punch her in the throat for having her face buried in her cell phone 24/7.

I would look at the Leap Pad tablet as it is more focused on/based around education. It's a slippery slope my friend. And you don't want her developing social skills with the tablet.

Dabutcher

First generation iPad with Otterbox protection and a 90 day warranty on ebay for $115.00. The best tablets are still iPads as far as I am concerned. For an 18 month old Probly any tablet will do? Good luck. D

EndersShadow

Yeah we want to get an education focused one..

It's more about her learing while using the tablet.

When we are home it's all about running around and the dogs and whatnot.

For trips we do need it and I'm looking at it for there as well. Especially since I have all our movies ripped to disc.

markmarc

As A technology teacher I will tell you right now DON'T DO IT!!!!! Studies are now coming out proving what Many teachers including myself have argued for years that exposure to screen images that change rapidly (unlike real world) teaches the brain to crave quick changes which can lead to ADD/ADHD. Put them in situations that allow them to grasp and play with various toys.

Willow

markmarc wrote: »

As A technology teacher I will tell you right now DON'T DO IT!!!!! Studies are now coming out proving what Many teachers including myself have argued for years that exposure to screen images that change rapidly (unlike real world) teaches the brain to crave quick changes which can lead to ADD/ADHD. Put them in situations that allow them to grasp and play with various toys.

So many people look at us like we have 3 eyes when we say our kids don't get screen time. They are even saying the ones dedicated to infants are still not good for them. But as the OP mentioned it's not a sitter he's looking for it's more a travel companion for now.

cnh

There are probably a lot of us who spent more than an "appropriate" number of hours watching those B&W TV programs in our youth who went on to have fabulous educations, memories and concentration skills!

Causal links are hard to demonstrate. I think the problem is when it becomes "habitual" to the exclusion of other activities and human contact. Otherwise. I would not worry too much about sitting a child in front of a screen from time to time.

I must though disagree about one thing; my daughter flew all over the U.S. to academic conferences with her mother and father. She even went to Sweden when she was two. And spent countless hours in a child seat while I drove loooonnng distances. And NOT once did she present any problems, whine, complain, or even utter any sound. So, yeah, some, perhaps FEW children can be an absolute JOY to travel with. Believe me, I was grateful, because that's not what I saw OTHER parents dealing with. lol

cnh

tonyb

The Leap pad seems to be a good alternative. Not too techy and educational. Unless you want your young daughter exposed to all those Visa commercials....then guess what she'll want come her 10th birthday ? LOL

WLDock

Well, my kids are a little older so tables were not an option then in '02-'06. However, we really liked the LeapFrog reader for my daughter when she was a toddler. Leap has been in the game awhile and make solid learning products so I would look at the LeapPad tablets when you go to check them out. http://www.leapfrog.com/en-us/store/c/_/N-1z141wnZ1z141wmZ1z141xq

I think Toys-R-Us stocks most all of the kiddie tablets so that might be a nice place to get your hands on several of them.

tonyb

I've noticed that Craigslist has these leap pads and games at significantly reduced prices....may be worth a look.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tag/4571675032.html

EndersShadow

As a side note, I've already starting looking at things we can do together tech wise, that involve learning for both of us.

For example learning how to solder, building speakers, making circuits etc....

ThinkGeek.com is my friend.

We also have a bike I use frequently with her in the carrier and a running stroller...

Balance is important.

markmarc

John Megadeth wrote: »

I support introducing children to technology at an early age. As long as you are a responsible parent, you can help foster learning and interaction at an early age.

At age four, allowing for 15 minutes a day to learn mouse manipulation or Face Time with a family member I have no problem with. But before that, it is far better to be handling manipulating actual objects. It develops motor skills as well as depth perception skills.

maximillian

If you are into circuits, then Amazon, Ebay, and other Chinese websites (dx.com for instance) are nice. Whenever I go to thinkgeek I get frustrated at the prices. DIY electronics is cheap from China and you can get them at many places. DX.com has DIY flashlights for instance.

For the tablet... I thought about getting our 3 year old a leadpad but am leaning against it. I have some younger geared apps that I have installed on MY nook HD+. My 3 year old will on occasion ask me to play and we do it together. It's more fun and interactive that way. There should be lots of cheap used tablets on Ebay. The Nook HD (7") refurbished often sells for about $70-$80. Not "kid" friendly but you can install Lego based games, memory games, Thomas the train games, etc. As mentioned above, limit the time and try to spend more time doing fun stuff together.

I got into Fisher-Price Geotrax and bought a bunch of it used from Ebay. Lots of fun for all ages. My 2 year old up to my 12 year old likes it; and I do too :-p . The trains aren't speed demons, but you get a complex track and 3-5 electronic trains going on them and it becomes a little bit of a challenge not to cause collisions (or that can be the goal too).

And don't forget Lego, Lego Duplo, regular blocks (Jenga blocks are fun as generic blocks), and many, many other "traditional" toys.