iPad for my baby

[JWalczak]

Ever since my boy just about turned 2 yrs old, he took to my iPad and our Iphones. It was amazing how quickly he picked up on it. I actually went out and got an iPad 2 for myself because my iPad was ALWAYS in use by him. I went out and got a nice OtterBox protector for it, he even picked the color.

His favorite things to do are using all the educational Apps and he has a crazy LOVE for trains. So he goes on YouTube (after we put in "Trains" in the search box. He then scrolls around for HOURS watching train videos.

It's hilarious to have friends or relatives over and they are just amazed how he turns it on and goes from looking at pictures or videos (that we took of him in his early learning classes) or whatever.

I don't care what anybody says, giving or letting a toddler use an iPad or iPhone is the best thing we've done with him. He learns the ABC's, now we have him loaded up with math and flash card apps. His little friends come over and they don't even know what an iPad is. Technology is here, and he may as well get used to it and learn his life skills along the way.

Of course we can use it for discipline also. If he does something he shouldn't do, it's just like a time out. We take his iPad away for a day or two depending on what he did. He learns not to do whatever again.

No, we don't just give him his iPad 24/7. He uses it in moderation to learn and we rood books together on it.

So in my own experience, introducing it to him very young was a great thing to do. He seems to be very interested in my computers also. But with that I sit with him and show him things, but he does not use them when nobody is there along with him.

 

[iDuel]

We bought my baby brother a MacBook Pro when he was 3 years old. We installed various games and learning software as well as Mavis Beacon and others. He also uses Youtube and iTunes to watch cartoons and Safari occasionally browse online to look at airplanes, ships, etc. (with supervision). When my dad got his iPhone 4, he got the 3GS. When my dad got the iPad 2, he got the iPad 1. He is 6 now and uses the iPad and iPhone to play games mostly, but we are looking into some learning apps for it. The Macbook pro is used for learning as well as entertainment and leisure.

You cannot be serious. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

 

[DeeEss]

My 3 yo uses my ipad incredibly well. Downloads apps all by him self! I think it's a really good educational tool there are some amazing puzzle apps and kids games and interactive books. Apps like Solar walk and Star Walk are pretty captivating. I wish I had something like this which makes learning really fun. Just make sure you don't have one click purchasing turned on.

He also uses youtube etc. As long as you are supervising it's fine. I'm going to buy another one just for the kids to use because often when I'm in a meeting for work a push notice will pop up telling me to feed my fish...embarassing.

 

[Ruffian829]

"He then scrolls around for HOURS watching train videos."

I'm not sure this is a good thing. I don't want my kid watching an iPad for HOURS just like I don't want him watching TV for hours...

 

[TheWheelMan]

A one year old doesn't need to know about hard work. He needs to just enjoy life, to appreciate life and the value of things, to respect himself and others, and then you can instill in them a work ethic when they are older. But you don't want a child growing up thinking that wealth and such things are the most important things. Important certainly, but that should be built upon the foundation of other, more important things, which I'm sure the iPad could help with also.

 

[bmwman3241]

You gotta be joking, right?

You cannot be serious. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

No I am not joking and yes I am serious. Whats wrong with that?

 

[MrSmith]

I hope this thread is a joke, or someone should call social services.

 

[MrSmith]

Ever since my boy just about turned 2 yrs old, he took to my iPad and our Iphones. It was amazing how quickly he picked up on it. I actually went out and got an iPad 2 for myself because my iPad was ALWAYS in use by him. I went out and got a nice OtterBox protector for it, he even picked the color.

His favorite things to do are using all the educational Apps and he has a crazy LOVE for trains. So he goes on YouTube (after we put in "Trains" in the search box. He then scrolls around for HOURS watching train videos.

It's hilarious to have friends or relatives over and they are just amazed how he turns it on and goes from looking at pictures or videos (that we took of him in his early learning classes) or whatever.

I don't care what anybody says, giving or letting a toddler use an iPad or iPhone is the best thing we've done with him. He learns the ABC's, now we have him loaded up with math and flash card apps. His little friends come over and they don't even know what an iPad is. Technology is here, and he may as well get used to it and learn his life skills along the way.

Of course we can use it for discipline also. If he does something he shouldn't do, it's just like a time out. We take his iPad away for a day or two depending on what he did. He learns not to do whatever again.

No, we don't just give him his iPad 24/7. He uses it in moderation to learn and we rood books together on it.

So in my own experience, introducing it to him very young was a great thing to do. He seems to be very interested in my computers also. But with that I sit with him and show him things, but he does not use them when nobody is there along with him.

Pity there's no test for parenthood. Any kid (including my own) will sit mesmerized in front of a screen all day if you let them. Yet parent-of-the-year here thinks their kid's something special. Ever wondered what these friends and relatives really think of you putting a screen in front of a 2 year old and switching him to passive mode? A monkey could memorize the ABC if it sat in front of a screen long enough. But I suppose you think it's cute.

 

[lundehund]

A one year old doesn't need to know about hard work. He needs to just enjoy life, to appreciate life and the value of things, to respect himself and others, and then you can instill in them a work ethic when they are older. But you don't want a child growing up thinking that wealth and such things are the most important things. Important certainly, but that should be built upon the foundation of other, more important things, which I'm sure the iPad could help with also.

I agree, but being a good example and letting him grow up in a "hard-work-environment" will influence him in a positive way. And why not play math games AND have fun? I don't see any problem with that. Also, giving him expensive toys from the beginning on will teach him that those expensive things don't have too much value and that you don't want to become successful because of an iPad but rather because you can choose how to live and how to enjoy life.

 

[Ruffian829]

I agree, but being a good example and letting him grow up in a "hard-work-environment" will influence him in a positive way. And why not play math games AND have fun? I don't see any problem with that. Also, giving him expensive toys from the beginning on will teach him that those expensive things don't have too much value and that you don't want to become successful because of an iPad but rather because you can choose how to live and how to enjoy life.

That is some backwards reasoning... Giving him expensive things teaches kids they don't have too much value and thus they want to be successful not for expensive toys but to "live and enjoy life"
Have you never seen the effects of kids getting whatever they want, when they want? The effect of kids ring spoiled with super expensive "toys"? The outcome is NOT that they want to work hard so they can have a goo life in the future. I might agree that they learn to take forgranted having something like an iPad and thus see little value in it but I hardly see this as a GOOD thing. Kids need to learn to appreciate their things and earn them. That is how people become successful. Not by having expensive toys handed to them. I do not understand the reasoning "give them an iPad so they learn it doesn't have much value ( take it forgranted) so they'll want to be successful and enjoy life (not be materialistic?)..." it just doesnt make any logical sense.

Not to mention that a ONE year old is just too young. Too young for math games, too young to be taught to "work hard". They do not understand concepts like that at that age. At all. And they need textile objects like blocks and puzzles and things to learn and develop their motor skills.

 

[woodekm]

When I was growing up my iPad had 2 wheels, a handle and a bubble on top that bounced colored balls in it when I rolled it. And I LIKED it!

I cringe when i see my 6 year old nephew walking around with my sisters iPad. But hey...... It aint' mine and maybe, JUST maybe, 2 people will learn lessons when he drops it and breaks it (although I doubt it).

Neither of those people will be me!

 

[TheWheelMan]

I agree, but being a good example and letting him grow up in a "hard-work-environment" will influence him in a positive way.

There's a difference between growing up in such an environment, and trying to teach a one-year old those values. He'll get those things by osmosis over time by growing up in such an environment, which is perfectly fine. But if he is in fact growing up in such an environment, you don't need to "teach" them anything at one. Let them enjoy being innocent children while they can, I say, because this world already forces them to grow up too fast as it is.

And why not play math games AND have fun? I don't see any problem with that.

At one year old they should be learning to walk and say Mommy and Daddy. There's nothing wrong with steering them toward the idea that learning is fun, but again, emphasize the joys of being a kid, not preparing them for adulthood. Adults these days need to be a bit more kid like, not the other way around.

Also, giving him expensive toys from the beginning on will teach him that those expensive things don't have too much value and that you don't want to become successful because of an iPad but rather because you can choose how to live and how to enjoy life.

Sorry, but that teaches not to value anything, not to appreciate how privileged they are to have an iPad in a world where some people don't even have food, clothing, or shelter. If you want to teach the kid life lessons, start with getting him to understand that wealth is meaningless when it comes to ultimate happiness. Sure, it helps due to the materialistic nature of this society, but it's not the root of it, nor is a work first mentality the best approach either. In Japanese society work is tantamount, as I understand it, and one of the biggest factors in its high suicidal rate are the societal pressures associated with unemployment, and the pressure to be successful in an overachieving society.

A good work ethic is fine, and encouraged, but adults (especially financially successful ones) often lose the ability to enjoy the fruits of their labors in the process of acquiring their wealth. Don't take that away from a child, I say. Teach them to take that ability to appreciate the simple pleasures into adulthood along with those other values.

Just my opinion though.

 

[swy05]

I got more laughs and entertainment reading this thread than being frontrow at a comedy show.

 

[spiderman0616]

Fisher Price has a wonderful device called the iXL. My 4 year old son has one and loves it to death. It's educational, fun, easy to load software on, and most importantly, he's dropped it on the kitchen tile, down the stairs, out on the driveway, and in the grocery store and it is still tickin'. I do let him play with my iPad as long as I'm sitting right next to him to supervise, but I'd much rather he play with the iXL.

 

[bungiefan89]

I agree, but being a good example and letting him grow up in a "hard-work-environment" will influence him in a positive way. And why not play math games AND have fun? I don't see any problem with that. Also, giving him expensive toys from the beginning on will teach him that those expensive things don't have too much value and that you don't want to become successful because of an iPad but rather because you can choose how to live and how to enjoy life.

No offense intended, but after reading this post, I am beginning to wonder if the OP is trolling.

If not trolling, then I would stress staying away from devices like an iPad, no matter what apps you put on it. When the child is one year old, they're too young to absorb knowledge about the value of material things or math skills or understanding concepts like 'work'.

By around year 4 or 5 the child will be more capable of learning the values you wish to instill. But for now, the kid will probably do better learning very basic things like bonding with family and friends and how to eat and stuff.

I also can't help but detect with a bit of worry that the parent in this thread believes they will be able to solve childhood problems by simply purchasing the right products and services... which is an idea that the creators of such products and services have a vested interest in you believing, but may not be true.

 

[spiderman0616]

No offense intended, but after reading this post, I am beginning to wonder if the OP is trolling.

If not trolling, then I would stress staying away from devices like an iPad, no matter what apps you put on it. When the child is one year old, they're too young to absorb knowledge about the value of material things or math skills or understanding concepts like 'work'.

By around year 4 or 5 the child will be more capable of learning the values you wish to instill. But for now, the kid will probably do better learning very basic things like bonding with family and friends and how to eat and stuff.

I also can't help but detect with a bit of worry that the parent in this thread believes they will be able to solve childhood problems by simply purchasing the right products and services... which is an idea that the creators of such products and services have a vested interest in you believing, but may not be true.

Also, studies have shown that showing glowing screens such as computers, TVs, and yes even iPads, to a child 2 years old or younger can seriously hurt their development. When they are staring at a glowing screen, their brains can virtually shut down and when that happens, they are not learning anything. Keep your kids away from this stuff as long as you can. They will have plenty of time to stare at glowing boxes when they get older.

 

[bungiefan89]

Also, studies have shown that showing glowing screens such as computers, TVs, and yes even iPads, to a child 2 years old or younger can seriously hurt their development. When they are staring at a glowing screen, their brains can virtually shut down and when that happens, they are not learning anything. Keep your kids away from this stuff as long as you can. They will have plenty of time to stare at glowing boxes when they get older.

I remember reading an article on that a while back. I could not for the life of me remember who came out with it, but it was a pretty thorough study. All about how kids who'd watched "educational TV" aimed at toddlers knew fewer words by a certain age and so on.

 

[nastebu]

I remember reading an article on that a while back. I could not for the life of me remember who came out with it, but it was a pretty thorough study. All about how kids who'd watched "educational TV" aimed at toddlers knew fewer words by a certain age and so on.

There's a chapter in the book "NurtureShock" that shreds the idea of educational TV, and educational baby toys. I'm sure that an iPad is under that heading. The upshot--if you want your baby to learn to speak (English, Spanish, Japanese, etc.) you have to have a real live person interacting with her.

I think the OP is a troll, but in case I'm wrong, I'd suggest reading some parenting books. One year olds are no where near capable of learning the value of hard work or expensive things, especially from being handed an iPad. They are capable of learning, however, that Daddy would rather plug them into a pretty screen than play with them. I'm sure you don't mean to teach that, but be careful because it might be the message you're actually sending.

 

[lundehund]

Well, that's what Apple tells us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_5i1Dyj5k1A

 

[TheWheelMan]

Well, that's what Apple tells us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_5i1Dyj5k1A

And there's not a SINGLE one year old child anywhere in that commercial, is there?

 

[thetruth1985]

I do agree that a 1 year old is too young for an iPad. With that being said, my 3 year old inherited my iPad 1 64gb. He only got it because I gave the 1 to my wife when I bought the iPad 2 and she rarely used it. I think an iPad is a great learning tool for kids. We play various games that help him identify animals and numbers. He also enjoys watching Dora and Diego on it too. It's funny because I bought him a vtech educational game last year and after buying it with 4 games, the price was already over $200. Many parents that buy their kids DS games can easily spend $200 to $300 on hardware and games. An iPad can be had for $300 and you can get many kids games and programs for free. Oh and btw, the iPad has a screen protector as well as an otterbox on it and still looks brand new.