How We Use Tablets For Our Kids

You know those tantrums that your child throws where they simply never stop screaming, and it seems to go on forever? After about 30 minutes, and your child is still screaming, you think that they surely can not remember why they are crying. However, when you ask them, they will tell you exactly what it is that they want. It is surprising sometimes how far a child will take their tantrum for something that seems insignificant.

For some reason, technology seems to do this to many kids. Sure, it may not send them into a 30 minute tantrum, but when it’s time to give up the piece of technology that they have, they will often scream and cry that they want it for just a few more minutes. One of the most sure-fire ways to start a tantrum is to take a phone/tablet from your child unexpectedly from them when they’re in the middle of something.

Tablets and phones should be used sparingly on a daily basis. If you give your child a tablet on a regular basis, you’ll likely find that when it’s time to be done with the tablet, your child is more irritable and it takes them a while to get back into a good mood. Letting your child watch a tablet for long periods of time is going to lead to longer periods of time where you have to deal with them being in a bad mood.

If you let your child use a tablet regularly, set a timer for how long they can use the tablet. Make sure that they know up front how long they’ll have it, and make sure that when it’s time to be done that you take away at that time. If possible, provide a warning before it’s to be taken (5 minutes) so that they know it’s almost time to be done. Put the tablet out of sight and out of reach when not in use. 

Ideally, you make the intervals short when they are using the tablet. 15 minutes is plenty of time to watch a single show or play a game. When you get into multiple hours of staring at a tablet, you’ll see that your child has a much harder time getting out of it. If your child knows that they can finish one show while watching, then they’ll be ready to give it up when it’s time (at least more ready).

A better alternative is to use the tablet only on special occasions. If you absolutely need to have them entertained by something else that’s not you, then you give it to them. For example, if you’ve been up all night with a baby, and you have no help, then giving an older child the tablet for 30 minutes while you try to sleep (in the same room) is one reason you may give it to them - you need a few minutes of sanity.

Also, using a tablet for trips is the other way that we commonly use the tablets in our home. Our kids know that it’s a special occasion, so they get to use their tablets for longer periods of time. Whether you’re flying or driving, a tablet is a good way to get your child to stay quiet and entertained during the actual travel. Once again though, use it as a tool for when it’s needed, not just something that they get for the entire journey.

If you’re looking for a tablet for a child, we highly recommend the Kindle Fire Kids Edition. We’ve covered tablets for kids in the past, and this tablet simply works the best for kids, and it’s by far the cheapest. From the parental controls, to the kids activities, to the case, it’s really the perfect tablet for kids. Add on that it’s one of the cheapest options out there, and you really can’t go wrong with it.

Don’t let your child spend all day everyday using a tablet. Use it as a tool when needed to help keep your sanity with your kid.