Mobile Device/Software for Toddler

[ofthedove]

I'm interested in either buying a tablet or setting up an old android phone for my toddler.

 

There have been several times, in a restaurant, in the car, etc where I've given my little one (18 months old) a phone so he can watch cartoons or listen to music for a bit. The problem is he can't hold the phone without touching the screen, so he's constantly changing settings or backing out of the video by accident. I'd love to set up a device with some big handles and downloaded media for him. For now he's young enough that it doesn't need games or internet access. The most important thing is ease of use/difficult to screw up.

 

I've seen a couple different products offered, Fire Tablet and iPad are both popular with slightly older kids, but I'm concerned they might be too much for a 1/2 yo. I could 3D print a case with handles for an old android phone, but I have no idea what to do software wise.

 

Have any of you done something like this? What did you use, and how did you like it? Thanks!

[jaslion]

I mean you could opt for the super simply thing of a app that locks the screen and done. Then a child proof case that exists for a cheap tablet like the fire pad.

 

But really I'd just opt for some toys n stuff it's been in a fair few studies that introducing tablets, phones,... too early to children leads to dramatically increased future addiction issues and need for instant gratification.

 

 

[Guest]

When he gets to about three or four you may then think about getting a cheap laptop, the small screen ones shouldn't be too heavy and you can turn off both keyboard access, so he that she/he can pound away while he's either watching or listening. After initial setup, you can turn these off in Settings and external devices can be used when necessary and later the both keyboard an touchpad can be reactivated.

 

At this age there is no need for a continuous stream of sensory imput. Picture books , these don't always have to be for babies only, large crayons and a coloring book, for the pictures, or even a cheap notebook that can be scribbled in is all of the visual and tactile sensory imput needed. For audio, you're cars stereo is all that's needed.

 

For in public places, soft blocks, rattles, tied with a few inches of string so that after about 15 seconds when they're no longer fun, they can be thrown ar oushed away won't get lost.

 

Or better yet, play with, talk to, read to, and generally act like a parent is best for your child's development. Your interaction towards your child is all that's needed

 

Act like an adult and quit trying to shirk your parental duties and push them off onto technology.

 

If you're still undecided about what to do take and show this to his/her pediatrician and get some professional advice.

[E-waste]

I'll fecommend podcasts.  Seriously.  In maybe a year or two, hopefully your child will be speaking, but just because they can't quite get the words out now, doesn't mean they won't understand them.

 

You already know that though.  So put on an educational podcast about electronic waste, conflict minerals, planned obsolecense or something like the soils.org podcast

 

Field, Lab, Earth

 

A good episode there is blue oysters and micro-plastics.

 

Your child won't really yet understand it, but will grow up hearing the term "micro-plastics" and "bio-diversity" and "soil health" etc and also the importance of the thing that allows us to feed ourselves.  If you ask me, that's #1 priority for what we should be focusing, for iur entire planet.

 

Cosmos series (I think it's the 2nd season not the very most recent "possible worlds" one, although it's O.K. the 2nd season goes over historical events and my three favorites are leaded gas, the nuclear research, and the one about the world seed bank.  That show is incredibly educational!