Nintendo DS for a three year old?
August 20, 2005 2:24 PM Subscribe
Our daughter is about to have her third birthday. I notice they have some educational software and some other titles (virtual 'puppies' in particular) which look like they might be entertaining. But is this too young?
Our daughter loves to take anything which folds or looks like a keyboard and pretend that it's a computer. I don't mind if it's a little over her head for a while, as I figure the transition from guidance to independence would be rewarding no matter how long it took. And I'm always impressed by how the young ones manage to benefit from nearly everything they do.
An additional consideration is that she's going to be taking two long plane rides a few weeks after her birthday and anything which could divert her while aloft would be heaven sent.
I asked a similar question a while back and somebody went all moralistic on me, and anyone considering doing so--I respect where you are coming from, I even sympathize to an extent, but what I'm asking here is simply whether three years old is way too young or not. Any insights anyone can give me into that particular question would be greatly appreciated.
Our daughter loves to take anything which folds or looks like a keyboard and pretend that it's a computer. I don't mind if it's a little over her head for a while, as I figure the transition from guidance to independence would be rewarding no matter how long it took. And I'm always impressed by how the young ones manage to benefit from nearly everything they do.
An additional consideration is that she's going to be taking two long plane rides a few weeks after her birthday and anything which could divert her while aloft would be heaven sent.
I asked a similar question a while back and somebody went all moralistic on me, and anyone considering doing so--I respect where you are coming from, I even sympathize to an extent, but what I'm asking here is simply whether three years old is way too young or not. Any insights anyone can give me into that particular question would be greatly appreciated.
Hmm, there are kids who are programming (albeit very basically!) at 4. Kids seem way more advanced these days, and being able to use a computer at age 3 wouldn't sound like anything special to me, so I say, go for it! No harm can come of it.
posted by wackybrit at 3:36 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by wackybrit at 3:36 PM on August 20, 2005
Two words, Tux paint. It is an open source drawing program that I used to introduce my 3 year old grand daughter to the computer. She is now four and is quite adept and now ready to move on to other programs.
posted by JohnR at 3:53 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by JohnR at 3:53 PM on August 20, 2005
My daughter started using the computer around that age. I don't think it's too young, especially if she's showing an interest.
posted by jrossi4r at 4:00 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by jrossi4r at 4:00 PM on August 20, 2005
It's not entirely clear from the question, but thayerg is asking about getting a Nintendo DS for this three year old--check the title of the page.
I have a 4 year old nephew who can beat Yoshi's Island on a GameBoy Advance. I think a 3 year old might be frustrated by a DS since it often requires the use of a stylus as well as the buttons.
posted by bcwinters at 4:07 PM on August 20, 2005
I have a 4 year old nephew who can beat Yoshi's Island on a GameBoy Advance. I think a 3 year old might be frustrated by a DS since it often requires the use of a stylus as well as the buttons.
posted by bcwinters at 4:07 PM on August 20, 2005
There's a software version of "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" out there that my 2 year old daughter just looooooves. We have it left over since when my 12 year old son was that age.
posted by thanotopsis at 4:26 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by thanotopsis at 4:26 PM on August 20, 2005
I'd be hesitant, because of the stylus. Easy to lose, maybe hard to handle... But then, I would imagine that would be a great way to ease her into the dexterity required for handwriting. In any case, a Gameboy Advance would be a great choice.
posted by rfordh at 5:15 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by rfordh at 5:15 PM on August 20, 2005
Our son got a Leapster for his 4th birthday and loves it - I'm not sure he would have been ready for it at three. However, at three he was starting to use PC games at school and at home - Sesame Street, Jump Start, etc. - maybe that is a good compromise for a year? I highly recommend the Leapster.
posted by SashaPT at 5:49 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by SashaPT at 5:49 PM on August 20, 2005
I'm going to jump in here with an extremely unpopular *at least around my house* point of view...so let the flogging begin.
I personally am sorry we started our kids (particularly our son, now 12) on computers so young. Others more articulate than me, Gloria DeGaetano, for one, speak of the 'flickering screen' overstimulating the 'reptilian' regions of the brain rather than allowing for the development of higher cortical function.
That being said, my husband and I are both BSEEs from way back when so we're big electronic pacifier junkies ourselves...
posted by DawnSimulator at 6:39 PM on August 20, 2005
I personally am sorry we started our kids (particularly our son, now 12) on computers so young. Others more articulate than me, Gloria DeGaetano, for one, speak of the 'flickering screen' overstimulating the 'reptilian' regions of the brain rather than allowing for the development of higher cortical function.
That being said, my husband and I are both BSEEs from way back when so we're big electronic pacifier junkies ourselves...
posted by DawnSimulator at 6:39 PM on August 20, 2005
It's a simple rule: They can watch TV and play computer, but not for more than a couple of hours a day. That way, they learn how to use the things but don't just passively receive from a screen all day (like the adults).
Also, my 3 year old knows more about the computer than the rest of my family. They pick it up like a sponge.
posted by fungible at 7:48 PM on August 20, 2005
Also, my 3 year old knows more about the computer than the rest of my family. They pick it up like a sponge.
posted by fungible at 7:48 PM on August 20, 2005
I can't speak to video games, I'm physically dyslexic and still can't do them. I'd be very careful about frustrating the kid, but I would think she's plenty old enough for computer games and software.
My granddaughter was mouse-literate before she could talk. She used to sit on G'pa's lap and play for hours with some software that had pictures of a playroom. You clicked on stuff and things happened, a mouse ran out of the hole, or Grandma called you on the phone. I know she was barely walking when she started using a computer, that's like a year old. She's 13 now, and seems to have normal life, although she's really, really good with computers.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 8:04 PM on August 20, 2005
My granddaughter was mouse-literate before she could talk. She used to sit on G'pa's lap and play for hours with some software that had pictures of a playroom. You clicked on stuff and things happened, a mouse ran out of the hole, or Grandma called you on the phone. I know she was barely walking when she started using a computer, that's like a year old. She's 13 now, and seems to have normal life, although she's really, really good with computers.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 8:04 PM on August 20, 2005
Stop worrying about what number is on the cake of her birthdays and look at what she's capable of. Only YOU can answer if she's ready or not.
posted by Kickstart70 at 8:29 PM on August 20, 2005
posted by Kickstart70 at 8:29 PM on August 20, 2005
Our just-turned-3-year-old plays a variety of educational games, and seems to pick things up quickly. Mouse action isn't a problem, nor (oddly) is the right/left button a problem (on a PC). He's actually learned to recognize (read? I dunno) a couple of words from it like "OK" and "Start".
So, if if the question is if they're capable of playing and enjoying games, I would say yes at least on a PC.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 10:26 PM on August 20, 2005
So, if if the question is if they're capable of playing and enjoying games, I would say yes at least on a PC.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 10:26 PM on August 20, 2005
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I had a piece of software called 'Gertrude's Secrets' that I still remember to this day. It was the equivalent of a pre-school shapes-and-colored blocks game. It beeped and flashed and kept me occupied for hours at a time and it wasn't TV. The floppy disks were cheaper than other electronic toys in the early 80's.
I turned out OK, for what it's worth.
posted by SpecialK at 2:47 PM on August 20, 2005