Parents should forget about huge fluffy toys, miniature cars, and Barbie dolls as the new generation of kids want digital gifts. And we’re talking here about smartphones, e-readers, consoles, tablets, iPads, and more. If you’re a parent looking for a digitized yet educative type of gift, invest in an e-reader. However, if you want to combine learning with entertainment, iPads will do the trick too. A recent study performed on parents with minor kids revealed that eBooks are the newest trend this year, as far as presents are concerned.
Swapping books for eBooks
Not many parents support the idea of buying their kids an electronic device; yet, the good news is e-books are excellent way of staying informed. For some children, an eBook is the type of device that brings stories to life. Nothing is more enticing to them than those beautiful images displayed on a touch screen. Last year, more than 57% of parents decided to buy their children an electronic device; and no, we’re not referring to gaming consoles.
We live in a world packed with technological innovations, and whether we like it or not, we can’t hide our kids from those breakthroughs anymore. The new generation grows in a household of gizmos, so it’s a parent’s job to instil a passion for reading books, even if they’re somehow obligated to consider e-books to grab the attention of their little ones.
The iPad – educative yet threatening
The iPad can be an excellent gift for your kids. You can easily download apps, eBooks, and educative games meant to help your child start to love reading. However, it can also pose various threats. Kindles and e-readers don’t have other functions, and their purpose is clearly laid out. Ipads on the other hand, support video games, some of which are not educational at all. Parents should be really careful as iPads are not at all harmless.
Parents who are tech savvy will probably make sensible investments in technology, and although we don’t want to admit that the newest gadgets are addictive, let’s just say some are necessary. Kids who are raised in tech households will most likely want such a device from a really early age. In the following years, the demand for e-books will increase. Parents are well-aware that print books as gifts are not at all appreciated; yet, a flashy tech device is a whole different story. Just because it comes with a touch-screen, it will appeal to kids of all ages.
It’s equally important for a parent to know what books to download for their children. Those with ages between 2 and 6 are drawn by images, while readers will want books that grab attention. The Harry Potter series, and fantasy books in general, are the best way to help sons and daughters become bookworm kids.
Apps and eBooks
Ok, so now that you’ve decided to buy your kid a gadget, it’s time to start downloading apps. OceanMediaHouse is a great place to start. The website is like a community of apps meant to educate, inspire and entice kids and adults alike. Scholastic and Sesame Workshop are also recommended. For some more suggestions, you can always go online. There are plenty of websites where you can find really nice apps with e-books for kids. Traditional presents for kids are overrated, and although parents are somehow upset with the idea of introducing their children to advanced technology, some devices are actually educational. Right now, it’s more difficult than ever to make kids love books. So a parent’s best alternative is to use technology to make that happen. Some other gift ideas for kid’s parents should consider:
- LCD writing tablet – excellent for drawing and showcasing creativity
- NOOK Simple Touch – one of the world’s famous and most widespread e-book reader
- Apple iPad Mini
- Amazon Kindle Fire
The variety of tablets meant to help kids read books is endless. Nowadays, parents can please them with gifts starting from $30. Ten years ago, to really make an impression you had to invest hundreds on miniature doll houses and remote-controlled cars. E-readers have a great future, and when used properly they really can instil an infatuation for reading.
this is so so true..
This is so true
kid is a kid, they don’t know what is in there hand, what ever you give for them they will eat because they know it’s a food, so better to give them food either cookies, chocolate, biscuits or anything as will as it’s food, sorry for my poor English because I am not English people.
As long as kids are supervised, technology can be a great gift for kids, they can learn so much and are usually more opened to learning this way.
I agree that kids now a days are born into a time when technology is a fact of life, but having the love of reading instilled in me from a very young age, I also believe there has to be a balance somewhere between technology and good old fashioned learning with books and other items such as board games and educational toys
My mom was an avid reader and instilled that love of books in me when I was very young. I love the idea of an e-reader as a gift for children. I think it is important for kids to become tech savvy, but there definitely needs to be a balance between digital activities and real life experiences.
Since we are in the digital age, it can be beneficial for kids to get familiar with technology at a young age. It’s still important to be careful and watch over them while they use it, especially with things like iPads. It’s very easy for kids to be exposed to inappropriate things on them. My son was shown porn on an iPad by a classmate in his classroom! There definitely needs to be balance between the use of technology and other forms of recreation and learning. Kids need to do things that involve others to improve their social skills. Doing ctivities like board games, building blocks, working with modeling clay, etc. with family and friends would be good alternatives.
I don’t think this is much of a choice now a days. I mean kids aren’t even being taught cursive in school anymore. Electronics are not a luxury but a necessity
I know this makes me super old school (or maybe a curmudgeon, depending on your definition 😉 ) but I love the idea of parents buying their kids the same things they would have bought 30 years ago: toys, books, sports gear, etc.There’s got to be more to life than staring at a screen. (says the woman at her computer).
We have already started switching over to ebooks for both kids. 2 and 7. There is just so much available right at your finger tips.
I have to admit all of my family is addicted to technology! It’s not necessarily a bad thing! Thanks for the info!
Nicole Carter Weasley
raventally00@aol.com
Thanks for this helpful information, my grandson is 2 1/2 so this will be helpful when I go birthday & christmas shopping for him!
Yeah, my son, he’s 3 years and he can play everysingle game, features on different gadgets that i have. That’s incredible. Even me can’t do that in the past. But i think i need to watch him more and extra save coz i don’t want him become addicted!
I’m not really for sure, I know that today is an electronic era, but I was watching my grandson the other day, he had his mom’s phone and was playing a game and its like he turned into a child that I didn’t know, sometimes I think the kids get too many electronics, not that they should have some but maybe too many
I saw that my daughter was loosing interest in holding a book but I couldn’t get her to put her phone down. I got her a nook. Now she is back to reading.
I am addicted to technology. I love it so much. Thank you for this write up.