To Ipad or Not?

As we were sitting waiting to be picked up from the hotel, my Japanese sister-in-law took out an Ipad for her daughter to play with.

Prior to this, my son was happily running around the hotel lobby and jumping from some steps.  I wasn’t disturb by his playing as long as he wasn’t disturbing anyone at the hotel.  To him, he was trying to pass the time creatively.  His cousin who is mixed Japanese and Taiwanese tagged along behind him mimicking his actions.  My son was laughing and soon enough the both of them found something to do together.  It’s what kids are good at.

Then her mom took out the Ipad and asked her daughter to sit and play.  In Asian culture, kids need to be disciplined or controlled early on.  Obedience and respect is more important.

My son also out of curiosity walked over to where his cousin was sitting, and started to play with the machine.  I looked at the machine not as an instructive tool, but as a play killer.  As soon as the machine was turned on, their creative play ended, now it was time to sit down and behave quietly because we were in a hotel.  They were to behave quietly because who knows, people are watching and thinking negative thoughts about you and your kids.

Anyways, that’s my little bias, but the Ipad reminded me how TV was used in the old days to quiet kids down.  Just plop yourself on the couch and watch some harmless entertainment.

So they both sat and played age appropriate puzzle games.  From my point of view, I don’t think a computer for a 3 or 4-year-old can enhance any creative learning.  It’s like when a child is beginning to walk and parents buy their child the walker with wheels.  Or a tricycle rather than a two-wheel bike without pedals.

My son was curious about the touchscreen and how you can move pictures around by using your hands.  I tried to explain to him how the machine works.  They both played with it for a couple of minutes and the cars came to pick us up.

In Asia, products that promote education and early skill development is always sought after.  The Ipad is no exception because it’s readily available at inexpensive prices here in Taiwan.  So if a family doesn’t have the money to buy books, they can get an Ipad and download games and books for their children to play. 

People are always amazed when they see a child use it because it’s a wonderful product to have.  It’s also a status symbol to own one.  I did some digging online and found a video of a child using the machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O74PAKkGs6A&feature=player_embedded

There are many videos of excited parents falling in love with a new technology along with their children.  It’s an attractive tool to have.  But is it useful for my 4-year-old boy.   I would say no, it’s not the right time or age for this type of tool.  If a child learns or is exposed to technology, will that make him or her into a brilliant computer programmer. 

Children need role play and real life scenarios to teach them about themselves and life.  So the Ipad technology can wait until he is matured enough to handle the demands life gives him.  For now, he can build, take apart, and play all he wants.

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