Whenever I see a post about tools for young children to use, I have to give my opinion. I have three children, an 8 year old son, a 5 year old daughter, and a just turned 3 year old son. I brought the first two children up in a very similar way. They watched very little television, unless it was educational. They did a lot of drawing, writing, and reading. They played with traditional children toys. They are both very intelligent. We were pretty certain that our oldest was gifted at a very young age. Our daughter is also very smart, probably gifted as well. And then there is my 3 year old. He is light years ahead of where they were. The only thing different in his upbringing was the fact that he began using an IPad at about 2 years old. We bought 2 Ipads for his siblings last Christmas. So he's had it less than a year. He just turned 3 this month. He has learned more from the IPad that he could have ever learned any other way. I had know idea what amazing apps were on there for young children. It is absolutely amazing. Every young child should have one. My DD3 uses the IPad more than any of the other children. It has become custimaized for his likes. Lately he has become obsessed with gegraphy. His knowledge is like nothing that I could have ever imagined from a three year old. He knows more about geography than anyone in the house. All of his states, capitals, continents, countries, state and country flags, and almost all of the capitals to the countries. It's really amazing.
Judging from his simblings, he probably had a good chance of being gifted. However, the IPad took it way beyond what I would have ever expected. I can't understand how the IPad is not advertised more for children. It is the perfect gift. It's like giving 1000 presents in one. It is well worth the money. Supposedly, Apple is going to announce a smaller less expensive version this week. Just in time for the holidays.
I have a few friends who started off with Android Tablets and they really didn't like them. Apparently the apps are not as good and are not approved by Google. Anyone can make an app on Android. Without an approval from Google. So, you don't always get what you pay for. I also heard some can contain a virus. My friends now have iPads. Another nice thing about the IPad, is that once you get an app, you can have it on all of your Apple devises. So, if you have an iPhone or another Ipad, you only pay for the app one time. you can play it on your iPhone, IPad, or Mac. You can even play it on your TV if you have Apple TV. I personally don't have any experience with other tablets. I just know there is not a price high enough for what the IPad has taught my son. It's been like we have had a private teacher for DD3 for the last year. I don't mean to sound obsessed, but it really has been amazing. My wife and I often say what would our other children have been like if they had IPads. We will never know. I just know DD3 is making the most of it!! Good luck.
