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Lydia Leftcoast

(48,219 posts)
18. I'm going to play devil's advocate here
Wed Feb 12, 2014, 06:31 PM
Feb 2014

Why does a 4-year-old need an iPad?

That's the age when they should be working on active and imaginative play and manipulating objects with their hands.

This morning at the gym, I saw a mother with her small son, and the kid was totally absorbed in some game on a tablet (I don't think it was an iPad), so much so that he wasn't looking where he was going and wasn't paying any attention to things like "Here's the elevator." He was so inattentive, that she said, "Three warnings, and I'm taking it away."

My question was, why give it to him in the first place? It felt like the new version of plunking the kid down in front of the TV, only on-the-go.

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I have a Snugg cover for my iPad NV Whino May 2013 #1
Thank you for the advice! CottonBear May 2013 #3
I've never had a problem buying used or refurbished NV Whino May 2013 #8
Good points. Thanks! CottonBear May 2013 #9
Yeah, if you can't find an Apple genius, NV Whino May 2013 #11
LOL! My little man will be the Apple genius in our home very soon! CottonBear May 2013 #12
First, don't get the mini for a 4 year old. NYC_SKP May 2013 #2
Great advice. Thanks! I want my son to be able to use it without frustration. CottonBear May 2013 #5
It's not upgradable but there is a way to use an external storage drive. NYC_SKP May 2013 #7
Excellent! Thanks for the great info and links and pictures! CottonBear May 2013 #10
Thanks, will look for those USB devices nadinbrzezinski Feb 2014 #19
I'm using an Otter cover on my iPhone. n/t Betsy Ross May 2013 #4
Otterbox covers seem to be the gold standard for i phones! CottonBear May 2013 #6
I would suggest a used top of the line iPad2 Stinky The Clown May 2013 #13
Thanks so much for the excellent advice! CottonBear May 2013 #14
I have gotten iPads used on Craigs List over the years. Stinky The Clown May 2013 #15
Only a little drama. Haven't we all been there! CottonBear May 2013 #16
Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2014 #17
I'm going to play devil's advocate here Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2014 #18
I agree, kids that age need plenty of active physical play arikara Feb 2014 #21
I agree. Let the kid remian in physical reality, where humans have been enough Feb 2014 #22
IPad II, but before you do that nadinbrzezinski Feb 2014 #20
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Apple Users»Advice needed: I want to ...»Reply #18