Tablet for a 3 year old for Xmas

jaydeeuk1

My 8 month old is always grabbing for my playbook, she loves the front facing camera on it (literally p*sses herself laughing) and has even leant how to take a picture by pressing a certain area on the screen. In years to come, tablets will be everywhere in school, so she's getting a head start now, if kids can't embrace technology at a young age then they will be at a disadvantage later on imo.

Anyone recommend a decent power tool set for a soon to be 11 month old at xmas?

bluesnake

I'm with Macman and Voucherman's etch-a-sketch.

As a 3 year old, I tried to grab my father's beer, whiskey, cigarettes, and steering wheel when in his car. My father being mean, never bought me any of them, no matter how much I cried. I also made a grab at my mom's crystal glass and her crockery and scissors, but they to were placed out of reach too. Yes, really mean and socially limiting parents!

However when i was 3-ish, he did let me have a drag from his Woodbine cigs. To this day I remember holding that thick, white, burning stick in my two hands, that taste and coughing and coughing. This turned me off smoking, and being tempted by friends too.

Other things I did at 3 was walk to the park, and on the way back found the police and local people looking for me as I had run away.

At 4, on my own, I managed to finally got hold of the forbidden sissors. My Moms prized Fuchia plant got a severe trim.

Do not want to troll but here is true story.
My Friend has a 3 month old. One month ago my friend and work colleague said that showing family pictures on his iPad to his 2 month old daughter made her smile. Also if she could touch the screen she could produce some art and interact, could save it for posterity. The only problem was how to fit the iPad securely on the cot and pram so it would not fall down on her and hurt the child. The words "shut up and keep changing nappies" went through my head, and to remember to buy her a drum. His Daughter now at 3 months is able to swipe the screen to get new pictures.

What happened to all those people whom would not let theirs kids surf the internet unsupervised due to pedo's and grooming and !!!!!! and betting. Now no only do kids get unsupervised internet, and google maps can give the a path to the pedo's door.

WantToBeSE

Hey Natalie, have you considered this one?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-google-nexus-7-tablet-pc-16-gb-15648510-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-11&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~&istCompanyId=9a35962d-802d-4e67-9721-0a3328ca1f02&istItemId=qqpxmxaa&istBid=t

I have just bought it for my 8yr old, and reading the reviews, it seems quite easy to use, so your child should be ok with it

Emy1501

bluesnake wrote: »

I'm with Macman and Voucherman's etch-a-sketch.

As a 3 year old, I tried to grab my father's beer, whiskey, cigarettes, and steering wheel when in his car. My father being mean, never bought me any of them, no matter how much I cried. I also made a grab at my mom's crystal glass and her crockery and scissors, but they to were placed out of reach too. Yes, really mean and socially limiting parents!

However when i was 3-ish, he did let me have a drag from his Woodbine cigs. To this day I remember holding that thick, white, burning stick in my two hands, that taste and coughing and coughing. This turned me off smoking, and being tempted by friends too.


Other things I did at 3 was walk to the park, and on the way back found the police and local people looking for me as I had run away.

At 4, on my own, I managed to finally got hold of the forbidden sissors. My Moms prized Fuchia plant got a severe trim.

Do not want to troll but here is true story.
My Friend has a 3 month old. One month ago my friend and work colleague said that showing family pictures on his iPad to his 2 month old daughter made her smile. Also if she could touch the screen she could produce some art and interact, could save it for posterity. The only problem was how to fit the iPad securely on the cot and pram so it would not fall down on her and hurt the child. The words "shut up and keep changing nappies" went through my head, and to remember to buy her a drum. His Daughter now at 3 months is able to swipe the screen to get new pictures.

What happened to all those people whom would not let theirs kids surf the internet unsupervised due to pedo's and grooming and !!!!!! and betting. Now no only do kids get unsupervised internet, and google maps can give the a path to the pedo's door.

If your not trolling what are doing? How on earth can you compare a 3 year or 4 year old using APP's on a tablet which in many cases are designed for them to someone allowing their kid to smoke or drink? You are aware that many pre schools and infant schools will use computers in conjunction with other forms of teaching.

As said before if you don't believe in technology for your kids then good luck to you but don't talk nonsense and try to make out that parents who allow their kids to using Tablets are all of a sudden bad parents.

I'm sure you are aware that there are various restrictions that can be put on to stop kids using sites that parents are not happy with.

lovinituk

I let my 3 year old use my iPad but always supervised and he never tried to throw it around. Computers and technology are becoming more integrated in daily life everyday so I don't have a problem with him learning from an early age. He is now 4 and at school where they use computers all the time. He is more PC-literate than his big brother was at the same age.

If people don't want their kids using tablets at a young age then thats fine thats your choice - but don't slate other people who choose to do something different. My 4 year old is one of the brightest in his class, he is very well behaved and extremely polite so it hasn't done him any harm!

Back on topic....!!!

natalie1974 wrote: »

I am after a cheap tablet for my 3 year old , to keep him off my iPad which he consistently drops down the stairs every blooming day :mad:

Have seen these 2 on Amazon but just wondered if anyone could suggest anything else or let me know what is the better one out of these 2 , thanks in advance

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superslim-Multi-touch-Capacitive-allwinner-Compatible/dp/B0077HAS0G/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1350819727&sr=8-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ePad-Android-Tablet-Touchscreen-Capability/dp/B006YO4OQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350819727&sr=8-1

There are so many different versions of those cheap tablets and many that look the same are made in various different Chinese factories. 2 that look identical could be very different in side. They also vary in price wildly - you can find cheaper similar ones on ebay. To be honest the build quality is not great and they are unlikely to last many drops by your son!

blammo

Go for the LeapFrog LeapPad explorer for £48

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004Z7H07K/

lovinituk

blammo wrote: »

Go for the LeapFrog LeapPad explorer for £48

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004Z7H07K/

This is probably a much better suggestion (and probably bounces better) than a cheap android tab if it is to be given to the child to use unsupervised.

Emy1501

My then 3 year old get a leap pad last christmas. Problem was the APP's were rubbish and expensive.

He hardly ever uses it now.

Would say much better to get a tablet with a padded case and supervise usage.

bluesnake

Emy1501 wrote: »

If your not trolling what are doing? How on earth can you compare a 3 year or 4 year old using APP's on a tablet which in many cases are designed for them to someone allowing their kid to smoke or drink? You are aware that many pre schools and infant schools will use computers in conjunction with other forms of teaching.

Probably they are not iPads. Odds are they are mostly desktops in schools and the ones that have laptops are secured. Even at middle school level staff had to glue the balls in mice. Bet the kids are closely supervised.

I do believe this multi-purpose tool is a valid teaching aid, but I can also see it as something lazy parents would use to do 'the job of parenting'. When parents are not looking I can envision it as becoming a hammer and frizby.

I also believe kids see their parents surfing, realise that it is pleasurable, interesting, what grown ups do, and want to get there, and it does not take kinds that long to realise it can do other things.

Emy1501 wrote: »

As said before if you don't believe in technology for your kids then good luck to you but don't talk nonsense and try to make out that parents who allow their kids to using Tablets are all of a sudden bad parents.

Personally I believe it has a valid place in education, but kids should be forming bonds and gaining social skills, opinions, exploring and questioning, being rushed off to A&E rather than being entertained in a corner. I am saying I believe the kids should not have their own, and should be part of a shared experience with parents leading the way. Etch-a-Sketch was an amazing product.

Emy1501 wrote: »

I'm sure you are aware that there are various restrictions that can be put on to stop kids using sites that parents are not happy with.

Definitely not as many restrictions as a PC. Even these days, many parents do not know what they are doing, and just buy into hype. As the tyke grows older, this becomes more belonging to the child, and kids not being stupid will remove or circumvent measures them, or have a mate who can.

Here is one made to measure. Still do not think the screen is bullet proof but....
http://www.reghardware.com/2012/01/24/inspiration_works_launches_the_kurio_toddler_friendly_android_tablet/

POPPYOSCAR

natalie1974 wrote: »

Appreciate all replies

My son does play with pencils,pens,crayons and paints etc at home and at his nursery he attends 3 full days a week .

He plays most games installed on my iPad ranging from simple Thomas the Tank colouring in to Grand Theft Auto , he likes driving the cars about , other racing games , memory games (pairs etc) and also a few simple Maths apps and cooking apps like cupcake maker etc , all simple stuff he can do .

My iPad being 3 years old now has a battery life of about 1 hour so once he has played on it I am stuck to be hooked up to a charger when I want to go on it to do anything .

My iPad has a case on it but when he launched it down the stairs it didn't and it only survived as it was an original iPad , had it been a 2/3 gen it would have smashed for sure !

I only thought about a tablet for him so he would have something to play on of his own and not constantly taking mine .

Is this a wind up?