I recently overheard a few parents talking about the iPad. They had seen a young child, about 5 years old, playing with an iPad and apparently the parent had told them the iPad was purchased for the child. One father made no underground of the fact he concept this was insane, and that there was something wrong with any parent that bought a 0 computer for a child. I asked him if he had an iPad, or had used one. He had not. His concept was based only on the cost of the device, and the idea that it was only a popular trend. Setting aside cost for a moment, and assuming the parent doesn't own an iPad, is there any valid infer to buy an iPad for a child?
iPad for Younger Ages
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Over the past year, however, many studies have appeared that seem to hold the idea of an iPad not just being a shiny toy to keep kids busy, but potentially an invaluable tool in child development. A study late in 2010 by Pbs found that Apps such as those on the iPad and iPhone can in fact make children smarter. Children are found to be more engaged, more interested in studying when using an educational app on the iPad. More and more, school systems around the country are incorporating iPads not just in high school or middle school, but even in kindergarten. Children with studying or developmental disabilities, such as autism, have been shown to greatly benefit from using an iPad as well.
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Children have long been known to learn visually, and the educational toy market over the years has tried many ways to combine this into their toys. With an iPad, developers can create an interactive game that young children can be excited about, while studying things as uncomplicated as their Abcs to science to foreign languages. Apple provides an impressive list of educational apps in the iTunes Store.
Increased Workload for Teens
For the higher grades, the benefits are more obvious: why carry around six heavy books, when you can have a few apps on the iPad provide all of that data and much more with video and interactive content. The Chicago public Schools this year launched a program that will provide more than 20 schools with 32 iPads. With many middle-school grades developing tougher curriculums to raise test scores, students are starting high school formats at a much younger age. For those in an International Baccalaureate or other develop placement program, the workload is even more challenging. And this is before high school. Once in high school, the workload and the advanced nature of the study seems to lead to one question: how can a student have all the data they need to result in school, in a format easy to understand and develop on, in one small light-weight package?
Cost Is a Factor
At the starting of this description I asked that we set aside the issue of cost for the moment, but cost is undoubtedly a factor. An iPad is not an option for everyone. Even if your child's school provides an iPad, most do not allow the child to take them home and not all of them use the iPad all day, only in determined classes. So when deciding to buy an iPad for your child to use, ask yourself these questions first:
Am I buying an iPad for myself, and letting my child use it on occasion, or will it be primarily for the child(ren)?
What would I pay for a full computer for my tween/teen to use?
Are there enough apps relevant to my child (disability, interests, study needs, etc.)
Does my child's school have an iPad program in place, or is one planned?
Naturally, only you can decide if the price is worth paying. I all the time recommend checking Apple's online store for refurbished deals, which can lower your cost anywhere from - 0 off the former price. Check the refurbished section often, as models available and prices vary constantly. After a new version of the iPad is released, cost of the old model will most likely drop further.
Remember that the iPad is a platform, one that is growing each day - the amount of relevant and useful apps increased between the writing of this description and your reading it. Unlike other products over the years, there is a flexibility to grow with your child by gift new apps that do things wholly differently than other ways of studying - perhaps exactly the way your child needs.
iPad for Children: Should I Buy an iPad for My Child?
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