Tablet for a 9 year old?

nat21luv

Hi guys,

Can anyone help? I'm thinking of getting my 9 year old some sort of tablet for Christmas, strictly for educational purposes. I dont want it to have any gaming capabilities other that maths/ science games.

I have refused to buy him any gaming device, he has never owned a Nintendo device and we don't have a wii or Xbox. Thinking now is the time to introduce him to electronics, I own an iPad and he plays maths games on it regularly do I'd like him to have his own. He a bright boy and it'd need to be suitable for 9-12's. I'm open to any ideas as I have no clue what's on the market! If anyone can help I'd really appreciate it, thank you!

Lifeforms

I have to say it! Please don't stunt him by not allowing him good access to electronics. It will be a massive plus to his life to become very used to them and will be a bonus in his future life/uni/career etc. (that said, done with )

Okay, the problem is most tablets for "kids" tend to either be very young, aka 2/3/4/5/6 etc and thus are completely unsuitable with anyone older, or on average, above their age in abilities.
The next generational ones (look at toys r us for example at theirs) are also limited (which is what you're wanting) but are also not good for use when your kid is used to using things like an iPad. Things like resistive screens (think jabbing that, rather than lightly touching an ipad) poor memory, poor apps/games (educational or not). They can be a truly frustrating experience.

I'd suggest you look at (if you can afford one) either an ipad 1 second hand cheap, or one of the android tabets. Maybe googles new one out? Then limit it yourself. so if you install what apps you want your kid to use, then remove access to market place. or setting up an itunes account on an ipad that only you know the password to, so he has to ask you to install any apps etc.

Edited to add: I just read you mention xmas. Well supposedly rumours are rife that apple will release a mini ipad version, which should be cheaper. No confirmation from apple, naturally! But if they do that might be a nice option for him, if it's reasonably cheap. You could then allow access using the itunes store account password to the games you want. Rumours say it should be late quarter, so maybe in time for xmas.

nat21luv

Thanks for that Lifeforms, I thought about the mini iPad but not sure I trust him with such an expensive gadget! I've found that problem too, they all seem to be for younger children then suddenly leap to adult tablets. Someone suggested a kindle fire? Is this much different from a kindle as we already own one of those.

Don't get me wrong, he does have access to a Nintendo DS and an Xbox at his dads house when he vists but I don't want him to have them just yet. I have promised him the latest gaming device when he passes his 11+ (he is predicted to pass with flying colours) and he likes the idea of this, regularly taking himself to his room to study as he's so desperate to have one! he went on a school trip and was the only child in his class not to have a gaming device on the coach, something I felt quite guilty about. He doesn't seem to mind though and enjoyed taking pictures with his camera instead.

kerry1979_2

I too have been looking at a tablet for my nine year old for christmas and found this

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/versus-touchpad-7-tablet-pc-8-gb-13828789-pdt.html

that i think looks ok, not too expensive and seems to have fairly good reviews x

jenhug

in terms of electronics, Christmas is ages away. I wouldn't start looking til October/ November.

themull1

Its awful bribing your child to do well in exams, he will be under a lot of extra pressure anyway.

nat21luv

It's not bribing!! He's predicted to pass his SATs with flying colours and there's talk from the school of him sitting them a year early. It's a reward for his hard work, just like we get paid for work, he will get a reward.

skintmumof2

Theres is the android Kurio

http://www.kurioworld.com/us/

Damzel_In_Distress

I just want to point out before i comment that this is in no way meant in an argumentative way, every parent it entitled to bring up their own children however they see fit, each to their own etc.
And in answer to your question about tablets, My son has an android tablet, it cost about £80, I cant quite remember the brand but its fairly decent and does everything all other tablets seem to do, I cant fault it. I think it may be adios, or something of the like, ill have a look tomorrow and get back to you.

I just want to ask, Why exactly do you think him having access to certain electronics is a bad thing? What games do you not find suitable and why? They are great for a lot of things , Even games that may not seem educational can in fact be very educational and help promote good hand eye co-ordination etc, You'd be surprised by just how much and if you perhaps did a bit of research on it maybe you may change your mind.
My little boy is 6 and as stated has his own tablet, he's had this since he was 5 as he became so brilliant at using his fathers iphone and enjoyed the games etc on it that it was something that we felt would be good for him, and it has been
There is also a playstation3 and a wii in the home, which is used by myself also, for dvds etc and 'family fun' and he has his own nintendo dsi. He is doing brilliantly at school, he actually asks to do his homework and often asks to do extra work of his own accord out of some work books i have for him.
Sometimes playing games on tablets , or nintento's eg is about a lot more than just 'sitting around playing on a console' . It can help improve reading, and the puzzle solving aspect that are in a lot of games helps them think about things in ways they may not have usually and can help them accomplish real life tasks.

Games on consoles and tables can be really helpful as long as they're not abused. No one wants to see their child sat up on their bedroom for 10 hours a day doing nothing but sat there, eating the occasional crisp! But 2-4 hours spread out over the week/weekend, after all homework, chores, other activities have been done in my opinion, is much more likely to be healthy for a child, than damaging.

System

avoid the viewpad from maplin you almost need a sledge hammer to use it its not very responsive.

jezsez

I would be tempted to wait - there might be something new that you wish you had waited for. Having said that the Samsung tab is fantastic.