Better idea; raise the kid on nintendo handhelds and consoles 
Nothing challenges a kid like a nice game of Ocarina of Time
Nothing challenges a kid like a nice game of Ocarina of Time
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Playbook or PSP for 3 year old
- Thread starter falconeight
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I wan actually making fun of the playbook, but thanks for all the help. I do have a 3 year old boy and he has my old ipod touch it actually has some pretty good educational tools on it and he has a few cartoons on it.
Is everyone going to carry on ignoring this and bulldoze their way through a completely unnecessary indignation thread?
I had a bit of tech when I was young, I still remember playing some of the very first educational games on OS 9 and on our Performa 5400. I was on it for about an hour a day.
I don't see why it's so bad. I now go to one of the best public schools in the country and am in the top 5 for 80-90% of my classes. Tech didn't rot my brain.
I don't see why it's so bad. I now go to one of the best public schools in the country and am in the top 5 for 80-90% of my classes. Tech didn't rot my brain.
3 years old is to young to be giving any child something electronic that is specifically for their own use. As a new father myself I am eager to give my daughter something to nerd out on like her papa someday, but I also know when I was a kid it was all about learning, playing, and going nuts outside.
I would however suggest if you are going to do something electronic with her, that it be something you can do together that is more "active" such as a Wii or Xbox 360 Kinect.
I would however suggest if you are going to do something electronic with her, that it be something you can do together that is more "active" such as a Wii or Xbox 360 Kinect.
Another vote for a (second hand) ipod touch, playbook is total overkill and PSP is just a games machine really.
Best option of all: Lego
Best option of all: Lego
Look what you've started... people clambering all over each other to get up onto the moral high ground!
But then you probably knew that would happen didn't you
I find the PSP a great device for portable video watching. The screen is big and good on the 3000 model, storage options are cheap (64gb for £40), if the video plays in iTunes it'll play on the PSP, the hold switch is brilliant (one thing I hate about my iPod touch).
I can't think of many games for the PSP that I'd let a 3 year old play!
Never used a Playbook.
I can't think of many games for the PSP that I'd let a 3 year old play!
Never used a Playbook.
The issue here is social developement and habit forming, not mental developement.
The argument that video games will rot the kid's brain is ridiculous. Such activities in moderation will improve confidence, problem solving and hand-eye coordination. As others have mentioned, though, it is still important to monitor and limit screen time for other reasons.
The argument that video games will rot the kid's brain is ridiculous. Such activities in moderation will improve confidence, problem solving and hand-eye coordination. As others have mentioned, though, it is still important to monitor and limit screen time for other reasons.
I agree, its ok for little kids to be using technology once in a while but for 2 and 3 year olds they need social and interactive human development. As they get into grade school is when they should start really using technology as a learning tool daily.
The same goes for home schooling. I think it stunts social development when they are kept in mommy and daddy's little safe bubble. Children need to be exposed but also monitored. It will make them work with people much better as they grow up in the REAL world.
Yeah its a lot of work, but no one said parenting is easy or for the faint of heart.
Just my $.02
Pwnd.
Hardly, where are the links or sources? All that person did was disagree...which is fine, but no one got "pwned" without any evidence.
(If anything I side with the people who are arguing that simply giving a 3 year old a Playbook or PSP doesn't mean you're also taking away any physical play...which is just an assumption on people's part. Maybe its something to play with before bed or for a limited amount of time per day? Maybe people should hop off and not assume they know everything?)
To the OP, I'd say of the two, I'd go PSP, as the Playbook partners with a BlackBerry well, but I'm assuming you 3rd doesn't have one. PSP has way more games. But the DSi/DS lite have even more games, and the iPod touch does as well And I'd think the iPod touch has more education games, but I don't have any source, its just my experience with keeping up to date on the DS gaming library.
Your "gut" is wrong, at least studies suggest it is. I know its easy to think we know better, but thats not always the case.
http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/human-relations/56224.html
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I guess my 3 year old got lucky because when I bought my iPad 2, he got my iPad 1 which is a 64gb 3G. The only reason I didn't sell it is because I would have taken a huge loss vs the 829 I originally spent. I will probably get trolled for this but you should probably look into getting him a refurbished iPad. Buying a psp and games can easily exceed the price of an iPad. The iPad also has many free games and apps for him to use. Oh and spend the extra 40 bucks on amazon for a otterbox for his iPad.
Also, Keep in mind that the same parents that are saying that a iPad is too much for a 3 year old are the same parents that let their overweight 8 year olds play call of duty for 6 hours a day. Smart parenting is the key =)
Also, Keep in mind that the same parents that are saying that a iPad is too much for a 3 year old are the same parents that let their overweight 8 year olds play call of duty for 6 hours a day. Smart parenting is the key =)
I am trying avoid anything that too small for them to concentrate on the screen while playing.. I had the ipod touch 3g for my 3yrs old daughter, she loved it, she taken it everywhere with her. Then i bought her an ipad 1 (16gb) on special $200 off just right before the ipad2 release. I find it alot better in every corners, She can play her favourite games and watch her movies.
AppStore has alot of educational games, and i find my daughter enjoying it while learning.
CHeers
AppStore has alot of educational games, and i find my daughter enjoying it while learning.
CHeers
Give your child normal toys, what insane world are we in that we're discussing whether a 3 year old should get an iPod touch or a Playbook? That is literally ridiculous, stimulate the child's brain using toys, not Angry Birds. Let him play with yours occasionally.
Show me where I even mentioned these 2 devices. I was in fact responding to YOUR post implying OP was forgoing everything but a portable device and that there's no place in a 3 yr old's life for this type of technology. Let me help you with your reading comprehension...I was explaining that a portable device can be part of a well rounded balanced exposure, not the source of it. And having raised well adjusted children does give me some measure of expertise, though I never claimed to be an expert. Haven't seen your credentials as an expert mentioned in any of your posts.
Do you? And how do you know it's NOT a good way to introduce children to computing? Links? I at least gave some evidence from my own personal experience pertaining to the device I suggested. Unless you can show me some evidence of your professional credentials or source links, your opinion is only that, your opinion. And again, I'll help you with reading comprehension--I never mentioned or advocated the PSP or Playbook.
Why not? I observe my kids practicing their reading and math using a portable electronic device and their skills improve in these respective areas--what additional evidence do you need? Oh I'm sorry, unless it was learned through productive play or physical engagement with the world, it just didn't happen.
Funny, go back and take a poll of the responders to this thread and tell me whose opinion is in the minority here.
Not apologizing to you. Sorry OP for taking your thread a bit off topic.
Pwnd.
Wow, nice. You better go lie down and rest after such a profound contribution, wouldn't want you to strain something.
Sorry, but one or two pieces of data(you kids in this case) are convincing evidence. Admittedly, those who are claim introducing technology at such a young age is a negative have provided no evidence, just assuming they were right.
I actually agree with you, why not introduce kids to technology at a young age? You(we) just need to make sure they have limited time on the devices so they don't get too sucked in and can still enjoy other things and stay healthy. But in a word where technology is so important, you can bet when I have kids, I'll be introducing them to technology early on.
Forget the electronic devices & buy him some Play-Doh!
When he's 7 or 8, then consider which device to get him.
When he's 7 or 8, then consider which device to get him.
That's the only point I'm really trying to make as well--no reason it can't be part of a young child's development. I'm just confused why so many responders assume that if you are giving your kid a portable device it's either to serve as a babysitter or a replacement for any/all other types of activities or parent/child interaction.