When is your child ready for a tablet?
I remember when my 5 year old was born, the newest thing out there was an tablet computer. It reminded me of Star Trek and the tablets they would pass each other with information to research. I totally had to have one.
My husband was okay with it (honestly at that point he was pretty technologically impaired) and I sent off for my new tablet. I was instantly in love. We had a better eReader now, faster ways to connect with social media…it was awesome! Since the tablet was always around, my 5 year old literally grew up with it.
I was provided a Kurio Extreme Tablet in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
Your child can use your tablet like a champ, but how do you know when your child is ready for a tablet?
Capable
Even the smallest of children can touch a picture they like and play simple games, but you know your child is ready when they can successfully navigate around a tablet without having to have an adult help them constantly.
Responsibility
Tablets are not unbreakable, we all know that, so we need to be aware if our child will be responsible enough to not run around with the tablet, or put it near water etc. My 5 year old can operate pretty much any tablet she gets her fingers on, but she isn’t responsible with them. Her older sister paid the price when little sister decided to try to keep watching a movie on the tablet as she got a snack, and crash…broken screen.
Uses
When my 8 year old started Kindergarten, they had tablets they would use to play Sight Word recognition games during class. Kids are using technology more and more in schools, so it’s great to be able to practice the same things at home using a tablet.
There are tons of educational games available for tablets that will help reinforce learning. The games can be super fun, so you don’t have to worry about your kiddo getting bored only playing with educational games and not playing Minecraft all day.
When my son was growing up, there were no tablets available or smartphones. We did get him a laptop when he was in Jr. High. He was responsible on it, however, we kept a close watch 🙂
This sounds like a good one. My five year old does pretty good with ours and he is pretty responsible, but then his 2-year-old sister wants to play…and I have to sit right next to her, because she is simply too young for it.
My 4 year old grandson has his own tablet and he amazes me with what he can do. I’ve operated PCs, laptops, and tablets since the late 1990’s and still have to read all instructions when I get a new device..lol! I like that his parents have set a time limit on his tablet use, I think that is very important! Thanks for sharing!
I think its the level of responsibility the children have. It really doesn’t depend on the age.
My 8 year old son who has special needs has a Kurio XTREME tablet and he loves it, but does need some help to use it. My oldest son in middle school just started using an ipad this year as required by his school for school work. I think kids are ready to start learning a tablet in preschool, but it is up to the parent to make sure they are being safe and that they do not use the tablet for too long of time periods. I use tablet and laptop access and usage as a reward for good behavior, good grades and completing chores.
This looks like a really great tablet for kids. I have been wanting to get one for my grandson. I will have to look into this one more.