MIL and Leapster

wildfloweragain

MIL asked if she could get a leapster for DS when he turns 4.  I had already looked into leapster and decided we'd put the tag system on his list but not leapster. 

I know the games are considered "learning games" but when I looked them up, they didn't seem very beneficial - they are things I feel a parent should teach.  It seemed too much like an intro to video games to me.  We won't be doing video games, even when they are older. 

Between being a teacher and research, I don't see value in video games, and they may hurt interaction and focus.

Does anyone agree or am I being a PITA? Has anyone looked into leapsters and liked them?

I'd rather hear it from you (and gibs) before I get all over educational on DH's family.

AnnapolisLari

If you call them what they are, they are video games that keep the kids out of your hair for a while.

DH and I agreed that there will be no video games in our house, including the Leapster.

One of the major hurdles when I was teaching remedial reading was the kids' obsession with video games. The habit of instant gratification made it difficult to get them to work harder.

REOM

HA! I posted almost the EXACT same thing. Check this out

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/43318018.aspx

 

jettagurl

All things in moderation.  

DS has the L2 and plays it 3-4x/week for 30 min at bedtime or during quiet time in the afternoon.  I don't see the harm in it for that.  Sure, if it were an all day, every day thing, then that would be a problem.  He loves the Thomas game, which is mostly math  and simple spelling....I really don't see math/spelling on a handheld gaming system as a horrible thing.

To each their own.

 

 

omurray

DS received a Leapster Explorer for his 4th birthday.  He loves it.  I consider it the same as television.  Screen time of any type is limited. 

Andrewsgal

Are they learning tools? Heck no, they are video games to give Mom and Dad five mintues of breathing room just like TV in my book they are one and the same.

Honestly before i married DH I was dead set against video games that is until I married a gamer. We own every system known to man. My husband is one of the smartest and most successful men I have ever met, and threw every preconcieved notion I had about video game players out the window. D

DD got the v-tech digi for her birthday and played it the night she got it, other than that she has not looked at the thing since, she would rather be outside or doing crafts. I do think it will come in handy for our upcoming trip. I think all things in moderation, video games will never take over our lives because it is my job as a parent to set boundries.

SMHWife

DD has the Leapster 2 and loves it.  I know they are for fun, but there is also some education value to it.  Lots of counting, especially in some of the games she plays. 

She doesn't play it every day.  And most of the time she only lasts about 30 minutes (MAX) on it before she's on to something new. 

It saved my life on the 3 day drive from TX to CA when we moved last month.

Seriously - I think it's great and see no problems with it.  But then again, I let DD play with the Wii and she watches cartoons in the morning when she wakes up.  I'm not too uptight about those things.  She gets plenty of learning time at preschool and plenty of play time at both preschool and at home. 

I don't see where the Leapster hurts any interaction or focus of any kind in my child's life.

JOEBunny

We are getting the ipad for the kids when DD is about 5, it has a ton of apps that are entertaining for kids.  We have a wii, but they never play it.  My neighbors son plays it all the time and I don't consider it a good thing.   For now, DD is happy just playing on her own. 

She also has leap frog toys that read to her.  They are older models because I bought them at used sales, but she really likes them.  The one she plays with the most has 17 different stories about everything from Nature to Grocery shopping.  It is nice in the car and I often give it to her to play with.

MAM1006

ditto everyone about how they are a toy and everything in moderation. DS just got one for his 5th b-day and we made it an "alone" toy that he can do by himeslf in his room to get some time away from my 2 yr old dd, who is always into his stuff.  Plus, we have 2 airplane rides coming up and I figured it was another option besides the portable dvd.   if mil wants to get him one, I would let her get it for him and just be appreciative of her generosity

MelandJeff

omurray:

I consider it the same as television.  Screen time of any type is limited. 

This. Exactly

DandelionMom

They're not educational but (imo) they're harmless if they're limited properly.  My kids like them for long car trips and this week when all the kids were sick the leapsters were lovely.