Electronics

[jagk]

Thanks everyone. I ordered the kids edition from Amazon.

[chickenbutt]

I wonder if the kids who start out so young using these things are going to all end up with serious vision problems as they develop. That's kind of troubling. I don't have kids (thankfully), so I suppose I have no say, but it does worry me.

[BOYINTX]

nice gift idea, yet i now see where our nation is headed. I say a book, or an outside activity or doing something together is healthier. I fear for our nations future . HOW WILL THIS GENERATION EVER LEARN TO COMMUNICATE W/OUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

A 4 year old ???? Gosh learn something new every moment

[Nicecupoftea]

Whatever you do - you must turn off the Wifi connection. I have experience !!! Do not let a child get on the internet. My 3 yr old grandchild just kept clicking and I had a lot of canceling to do.

[Sameolmollysmama]

How about a pad of paper and a box of crayons?? Or a box of chalk to draw on the driveway?? He'll be zoning out soon enough! Let these almost still toddlers learn how to hold a pencil and a conversation first.

[ccassaday]

My niece and nephew know how to write with a pencil geez get a grip. Of course you don't let them on it for hours. My nephew is excelling in his writing skills in kindergarten. And of course you don't let a toddler get on the Internet. But it is a great educational tool and technology is here to stay.

[Debbie555]

Those who are shocked at the idea of a tablet for 4 year old, I'm curious if you have young children or grandchildren. I have four grand kids, two that are just five and two under two years old and even the youngest knows how to use a tablet. There are a ton of educational apps out there. Someone mentioned the Mr. Pencil which they do have where kids can learn to write. Both of my oldest grand kids started kindergarten in sept and they have IPads in the classroom. And yes they do have crayons, coloring books, puzzles, real books and play outside everyday!

[chrystaltree]

.....you can certainly tell who has children in their lives and who doesn't. I think I'd hold off on the Ipad but I'd buy a Kindle Fire for 4 or 5 year old. Amazon even has a specialized features for children. School systems are giving tablets to kids now. I've seen 2 year olds having a blast and having new and wonderous experiences on Ipads. It's a whole new world and parents must embrace it!

[ccassaday]

It's funny because my sister just sent my mom a picture my three year old niece just colored in preschool. She just turned three and she colored in the lines and did a great job. So having tablet time is not hurting her writing or other motor skills. On the other side my other sister doesn't let her three year old have tablet time. Not even his leap frog that my parents got him. His hand and eye skills are way behind my nieces.

[Sameolmollysmama]

I'm assuming everyone thinks I don't have children. Of course I do. My daughter grew up with a computer, but not a tablet that would be with her constantly. She played outside in the woods, played sports, read books, had friends, and now she's an engineer. My problem with these tablets and iPhones is that the second a parent is annoyed or the kid is whining, BAM!! Slap a tablet in the kids hand so they'll shut up. Look around next time you're in a restaurant, the grocery store, or even the car next to you. The youngest of kids all have their faces buried in a tablet or mom's phone. Can't you hear, "My kid is only 2 and she already knows how to get right to her games on my phone!" There's time for all that later. Right now is the time when you raise kids to interact and have fun and empathy, not "download." JMO.