KristinaBreece Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I feel silly even typing that. When I was 5, I had a My First Sony cassette player. :lol: The idea of an expensive piece of technology for a 5-year-old is just such a new thought.... My son's birthday is in 2 weeks. I have a 3rd generation iPod Nano that I've had for a little while. I recently inherited an iPod Touch from my mother, who got a smart phone that's an mp3 player. I really think I'm going to fill the Nano with songs DS likes and some audiobooks (he's loving W-t-P right now) and give him that for his birthday. What do you think? Good idea? Not so good idea? Oooh! I'm going to add a poll for Chucki! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My kids both had one at around that age, so that's my vote if your child is generally respectful of things (no tantrums that involve throwing things!) and if your lifestyle would benefit from having one. My daughter loved audio books, so it was nice to have the iPod to take anywhere with us for her to listen to her books. In the car we'd also put on the iPod and listen to Schoolhouse Rock, et cetera. It was also great for brainwashing the kids to like my music, which is far superior in taste to their father's ;) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My almost 5 year old is about to inherit my old iphone when I get the new one. (No cell service of course, just wifi.) He already has a nano, he's had an ipod of some sort since he was 3. (old ones we passed down. They don't usually last much longer after he gets a hold of them. :lol:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We gave the kids cheapie mp3 players at age 4. I wouldn't get him a brand new expensive one, but a cheap one or a handmedown one, of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 All five of our kids have Nanos. My 5yo loves hers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I went with 'other'. It depends on how well he treats things, and/or if you care what happens to it. ;) Had you been buying it for him outright, I would have voted no, but it being something that you didn't necessarily spend a lot of money on just for him changes things a bit. So maybe. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfcartmama Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I usually never vote other...but...I would give it to him b/c you already have it. If you were going to spend an extra $200 on it for a 5yo, my opinion would be no. Otherwise, enjoy it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinaBreece Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 We gave the kids cheapie mp3 players at age 4. I wouldn't get him a brand new expensive one, but a cheap one or a handmedown one, of course! That's what I thought. I wouldn't buy him a new one, but it's just taking up space in my desk right now. And the added bonus to my plan is that now we can pass the Fisher Price FP3 player down to little sister at her birthday in November. She probably won't be as crazy about it as he is, but it will be nice for them each to have one. Of course, DS is my little one who's named after a rock star, (I didn't know this until I'd agreed to the name-- we started with DH's middle name & added the rock star-ness from there) and he takes that very seriously. His goal in life is to be "just like Aaron Lewis-- 'cuz that's my name, too!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We gave the kids cheapie mp3 players at age 4. I wouldn't get him a brand new expensive one, but a cheap one or a handmedown one, of course! Same here - plus that was the easy bday gift for nieces & nephews turning 5. They can enjoy it & use independently by that age, and it's good for them to start learning to take care of their stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana B Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Go for it! We bought my son a cheap-o mp3 player at about that age. He's now gotten my husband's slightly nicer hand-me down. (And I got my son's cheap-o one after mine went for a swim. I use it least often though, so no biggie.) I wouldn't by a child that age an expensive one, but a hand me down or an inexpensive one is fine. (As long as you are OK if it DOES get broken. Otherwise, I'd say it's 'his' but it is for special times only and then put it up except for when you are supervising it's use.) My son has kept his cheap-o one going for quite a few years with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linguistmama Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We bought my oldest a cheap mp3 player for her most recent birthday and she loves it. She is very careful with her things and loves to listen to music and audio books. We didn't invest in an Apple product since I figure it may get lost even though she is careful and we didn't have one we were handing down. Later we will give dd2 dh's old mp3 player since he can listen to mp3s on his phone now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My kids have iPods because I have ulterior motives. iPods are personal libraries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My daughter is about to turn 5, and she's been asking for an ipod for many months now. Her auntie has one, and she thinks it's just the bomb. She loves music. It's the only thing she wants. So the aunties are planning to get her one, and I bought an "iDog" as a speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My kids got iPod Touches when they were 2 and 5. They've taken excellent care of them and use them often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 i say give it to him. you already own it. he would probably enjoy it. so, why not.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigail4476 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 If he's careful with his things, I would give it to him. :001_smile: Buy a good quality protective case for it, if you don't already have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I voted no -but that really only applies to my kids :tongue_smilie: If you think he will look after it then sure- let him have it. My kids -well I am STILL trying to teach my 5 yo that we don't tear or draw in library books -so they won't be getting any technology for a long while yet :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I usually never vote other...but...I would give it to him b/c you already have it. If you were going to spend an extra $200 on it for a 5yo, my opinion would be no. Otherwise, enjoy it!! My thoughts exactly. If you had to purchase it--no way! Since you already have it--sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We gave our kids our old ones. We don't let them use them out of the house, though, expect for on long drives, and they also can't use them when friends are over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloversandlions Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 For my dd's 7th birthday a few months ago, she asked for - and received - a new iPad. (However, it was a combination gift - our money, relatives' gift money, and her saved money...and it was clearance priced at $400 for the 64GB first gen iPad.) I agree with those who say that if you believe your child would be respectful of the technology, then yes, I'd give him one (whether or not it's used). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knit247 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My kids have had iPods since they were about 3 and 5. We bought 1st gen. Nanos off eBay. They treated them very well and used them all of the time. Last Christmas, they each got a 5th gen. Nano and love them! They have a lot of music on them, several video podcast, kid movies - when we were flying from Germany to the US, and the SOTW audio tapes - which they listen to constantly! I've also put their AWANA CDs and Prima Latina lessons on them from time to time. Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knit247 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 ...So the aunties are planning to get her one, and I bought an "iDog" as a speaker. Love the iDog! My oldest was using hers this morning to listen to music while she ate breakfast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I might give my 5 yo a hand me down that I wasn't concerned about having lost, broken, etc. As part of the gift maybe a couple of credits for favorite songs to be downloaded... If I did give a 5 yo an iPod it would come with a set of speakers-kids that little risk too much hearing damage if they use headphones or earbuds all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidiyaDawn Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Sure, just make sure you've got a good little case for it. :001_smile: MP3 players are the way that we listen to music now -- that walkman that you played your favourite tapes on? that little record player that you listened to read-along Peter Pan stories? same idea - current form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We bought our girls, then 9 and 11, a cheaper brand that looks almost identical to an iPod for Christmas. Got them at K-Mart for $19.00 on sale. They are still using them daily and loving them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Thank you for asking in poll form. I always appreciate those. I think it would be a bit over the top to get a 5-year old a smart phone with MP3, but a used Ipod is probably just the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My 12 year old lost her 64 mb iPod touch. Dh wanted to replace it for her birthday. As soon as he did, she found the lost one, and gave it too Miss Bossy for her 5th birthday. She loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I probably wouldn't get the most fancy/most expensive one....but my ds had one at age 6ish or so....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We gave the kids cheapie mp3 players at age 4. I wouldn't get him a brand new expensive one, but a cheap one or a handmedown one, of course! :iagree: We got free mp3 players with Visa points from our debit card, and I gave those to dc, along with my old one when I upgraded. I wouldn't buy them an expensive one, becuase that is a lot of pressure for a little one, but a cheap one or hand-me-down is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Can I change my vote? :) I voted no, but was thinking of ds at 5. It would have been lost or broken within a month. If you think he's responsible enough though, go for it. I still wouldn't buy a new one (maybe a cheap mp3 player but not an iPod) for a 5 year old, but a hand me down - go for it if you think it's a good idea for your child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HootyTooty Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 The last time Apple had refurbished iPod I picked up a nano for $30. For my ds's fifth birthday I gave it to him. So far, so good. I filled it with stories and all his favorite songs and he listens to it when he is playing with his toys or on long car rides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I would not buy an iPod for a 5yo, but a hand me down? Sure! He'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My 5yo would lose it in a heartbeat so, no, I wouldn't give it to him. Your 5yo may be different. IDK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I probably wouldn't risk a brand new, top of the line model, but a hand-me down that you probably weren't going to use yourself anymore anyway? I'd do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMom2One Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I voted to give it to the little guy, BUT I'd only do it with specific conditions/guidelines that included not having him walk around constantly with earbuds in his ears - a really bad habit that many teenagers have. This could actually be a great way to train a child in the proper use of an personal electronic device instead of waiting to get this across to a resistant teen or preteen. I think I'd also give him limited access to the iPod at his age, especially on where it can be used (i.e. in the house, in the car vs. at a friend's house, etc.), and at what times of day. And I'd use it as leverage with discipline because having an electronic device like an iPod is definitely a privilege. Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We did this last year - I had mine stored in a box and I didn't even think it would work. I thought it was something ds(then 5) would enjoy and he has just loved it. We bought the portable speaker-thingy so he doesn't use headphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I have strong feelings that young children should not be given ownership of expensive electronics because it fosters an entitlement attitude. However, I do allow my children to borrow electronics so long as they are clear that the item in question is *MINE* and they are only being given the privilege of using it. I've got an old laptop, digital camera, and portable CD player that I permit my kids to use. However, I have very deliberately refrained from transferring ownership of those items to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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