I'm not a fan of iPads for children

 

Ireland has become a technical, modern country and I’m delighted to see so many people getting more high tech - it's great to be part of such a progressive island, and I'm so welcome to advancement.

 

But three-, four-, five-year-old children with their own iPads, eyes glued to them in restaurants, at the park, in cars? I say, no way.

 

Am I the only one living in the past where children kicked footballs on the greens and played hopscotch with each other?

 

I'll be totally honest here: I am very laid back when it comes to watching telly, maybe because it's my job or maybe because I genuinely love it too. So I don't mind Jack and Holly watching half an hour of TV here and there - once it's of their age, I'm happy.

 

I actually think they can learn from certain shows, and picking up annoying American accents is just part of growing up!

 

But my opinion totally changes when it comes to iPads! It’s not that I don't like them, I actually worry children are on them too often. I've had this discussion with some pals recently, and as most of them allow iPad time, maybe at the weekend, they think I'm totally old fashioned.

 

My husband, Richard, reads to our two smallies every night before bed midweek, and Jack (5) has reading that I do with him every day after school. So books and reading stories are very much a part of our everyday life, but when my nephew was over in our house doing homework recently, I noticed he read a lot quicker than Jack.  

 

 

They're only nearly six so I'm not concerned at all, but the difference in their reading was huge. So I asked my friends, who ALL said that iPad reading is a great way for them to practice reading with enjoyment.

 

With their advice taken on board, we downloaded some stories from the children's reading apps and we're actually succumbing to modern life on a Saturday afternoon for half an hour!

 

And as reluctant as I am to admit this out loud, I'm seeing a difference in Jack’s reading already - he has learned more words and is definitely a lot more confident now.

 

His reading is more fluid and he understands that he's only allowed the iPad when one of us is with him, so that he can practise reading.

 

BUT I still think that, like everything, there has to be a happy medium. I think it's wrong that young children are in restaurants with their parents on individual iPads, eating with their heads down. It actually makes me to sad to see this. I think family time is family time and people should be talking to each other and interacting with their children.

 

In the meantime, I’ll join 2015 - but don’t get me started on mobile phones for eight-year-olds!