This is a paid post for Vtech sponsored by Nuffnang . We received an Innotab 3S for review purposes. Please be assured though that the opinions expressed in this post are indeed my own and that of my children.
One of the more challenging aspects for me in returning to the early childhood field has been the change in how children now embrace and learn from technology.
I say challenging because I firmly believe in play based education and learning in my role as an educator and as a parent. To just sit children in front of computers and tablets rests a little uneasily with me and I have often wondered just what advantages there are to the inclusion of this new technology into educational programs.
The early years learning framework(ELYF) for Australia now asks educators to ensure they are providing experiences that introduce children to appropriate tools, technologies and media and allow them to experiment with these tools to ensure children are able to become confident and involved learners (Outcome 4 ELYF). To ensure I am providing these experiences I have first had to develop my own confidence in the technologies now available to children and how I might use them.
I think as a parent it is also important for me to find ways to incorporate technology into my childrenโs life as I cannot close my eyes to the change that is occurring in this important area and I donโt want them to be left behind!
But I have struggled with how to begin introducing these technological tools and how to ensure that they do not replace play based learning and outdoor fun. With twins it is difficult to sit them in front of a computer and not expect arguments at the age of 3, expecting it from a group of day care children is even more daunting.
I wanted to begin somehow but we donโt have tablets or smart phones here to try out, I told you I was a little old school! So when the people of VTech offered an opportunity to try out and review their newly launched Innotab 3S console aimed at pre-schoolers I was beyond excited!
The learning tablet is the most advanced on the market and is designed to give children a head start on learning skills before they even hit school. Itโs a perfect first tool in technology for 3 yr olds and beyond and I really liked the fact that I wouldnโt need to be overly concerned about watching their every move as the tablet has a thin protective bumper around the edge and a toughened screen which increases resistance to knocks and bumps during play.
And if you saw my two carting it around this week and tapping away with the stylus pen on that screen you would certainly see just how hardy it is!
Safety and breakage of expensive electronic items was one of my concerns with giving the playful pre-schoolers and other children in my care access to this type of learning experience. With a tablet such as the V-Tech Innotab 3S I donโt need to worry as it is developed just for kids and the way they like to play and exploreโฆ unlike expensive adult gadgets.
My twins were in absolute awe of this little beauty. They have never really experimented with interaction on a screen before (remember I am the ancient Mum who doesnโt have a fancy smart phone and am yet to download any sort of appโฆI know, I know, I promise I am getting there!) and after a bit of practise with the stylus pen they began to understand how to use it and that they didnโt need to tap it like a hammer ball game to get it to work!
Ruby loved discovering the camera, she is really interested in taking photos at the moment (a true bloggerโs daughter) so this was an exciting little function for her to explore. The camera/video (yep, takes video too my friendsโฆ.as I learnt the hard way when she followed me into the toilet โฆas she does) is 2 MP and rotatable which is handy when you have a novice photographer on your hands who is roaming everywhere.
Tara enjoyed exploring the already loaded apps (over 18 of them ready to go!) and I even worked out how to easily download the 2 extra free ones included in the package.
The colours on the screen were bright and the landscape design of the screen made it easy for her little hands to play the games and view the e-books. I was amazed at how quickly she worked out how to close and open new apps and how to press the house button to return to the menu page!
I have to say I was also really pleased to hear the Queenโs English language was being used, I am rather sensitive about developmental products for the early years in Australia using the US language and then hearing it being repeated by pre-schoolers here. Itโs a small thing but important to me as an educator and parent.
Would you believe the Innotab 3S also has Wi-Fi connectivity allowing it to access the largest content library of any childrenโs tablet on the market? You can also upload movie and TV files from a parentโs computer which I think will be such a handy little trick and possible sanity saver when travelling!
It also includes the revolutionary VTech Kid Connect feature, which allows older kids to feel part of the messaging trend by sending messages and animated stickers to their parents phones. The feature also helps parents stay connected to their kids when apart.
We havenโt tried out the tablet to mobile communication feature yet as I feel my two are just a tad too young for this but it does sound like a fantastic way to let them have fun exploring a little kid safe family networking as parents can send messages and stickers back to their child as well. I can just see the twins enjoying being able to copy and join in a little dialogue with their teenage sister!
We are still exploring and experimenting with how to use the VTech Innotab 3S but it has certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities of incorporating technology a little more. I downloaded some little number and alphabet games and I was pleasantly surprised with the themes and learning focus and howTara was using them.
Ruby preferred the ebooks, using the camera and the art apps. She found some of the games a little difficult, although was able to do them with my help. A few more months and a little more fine motor practise with using the stylus and I think she would be at the level of her sister though.
We are still exploring and experimenting with how to use the VTech Innotab 3S but it has certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities of incorporating technology a little more. I downloaded some little number and alphabet games and I was pleasantly surprised with the themes and learning focus and how
Ruby preferred the ebooks, using the camera and the art apps. She found some of the games a little difficult, although was able to do them with my help. A few more months and a little more fine motor practise with using the stylus and I think she would be at the level of her sister though.
They did both find it a little confusing and frustrating waiting as the tablet moved between apps and screens, it is quite a lengthy wait for younger pre-schoolers and I found it difficult to explain to them!
It was lovely to watch their curiosity though and to hear them say they were โdoing their workโ like big Sis who is currently doing her HSC exams. I noticed she couldnโt resist having a little play with the Innotab 3S during a study break!
As I have been watching them exploring this new tool over the past week I have been thinking a little more about how and why I will embrace technology with more enthusiasm in my educational programming. Here are some ideas and learning opportunities you too might like to considerโฆ.
Using tablets as a learning tool at home and in care environmentsโฆ.
- Using the Innotab 3S (or any other) tablet is a new opportunity to introduce some intentional learning by teaching the children how to look after a new piece of equipmentโฆhands to be washed and dry, returning it to its special place which I will need to designate and fostering a sense of responsibility through these tasks.
- Use accurate words and terminology with children when introducing and using a new device.
- Use apps and programs that will encourage problem solving and cognitive opportunities; making sure those apps purchased are not only appropriate but worthwhile too. Check to see if there are options included to track childrenโs progress.
- Initiate clear guidelines about times when the tablet can be used during the day and monitor engagement time and use.
- Include children in developing strategies for using the tablet as a group and how you might avoid arguments and โsharingโ issues.
- Allow children to utilise the camera to take photos on walks around the garden outside or to capture the fun friends are having during play. Encourage children to use the video to capture their own stories about their play and share with the group at a later time.
- As an educator, initiate methods to monitor childrenโs progress and engagement levels on the tablet or other form of technology and then adjust future learning experiences and tasks accordingly. Look at the feedback options included in most apps
- Use ebook animations to offer visual support to action words and complement paperback stories read within the group to inspire additional discussion and a new way of looking at characters and storylines.
- Ensure a balance of parent/educator choice of activities with child led discovery and learning.
- Use tools such as the VTech Innotab 3S console to promote social interaction by planning small group activities that encourage collaboration and problem solving.
Iโve only taken a small step into the world of technology as a learning tool but the kid friendly and safe Vtech Innotab 3S has certainly made it a lot easier to dip my toes in and get me thinking about how to incorporate it into some of our learning activities.
The features are obviously easy to use as the playful pre-schoolers are absolute novices to this area and they have had so much fun exploring and learningโฆand even teaching me a thing or two, although that is usually left to the teenager!
Do you use technology with your own children or in your curriculum planning as an educator?
The InnoTab 3S is now available in Target, Big W and all good toy stores nationwide. You can also head to the Vtech website to find out more about the Innotab 3S
How would you like to get your hands on one just in time for Christmas? The wonderful people at VTech have 1 of the newly launched Innotab 3S consoles (It also comes in blue) to give away to readers of Mummy Musings and Mayhem.
All you have to do is answer the following question in the comments section belowโฆ
How would your child use the Innotab 3S?
Giveaway Details…
The answer deemed most creative will be the winner of their very own VTech Innotab 3S (RRP $189) to share with the kids.
Competition is open to Australian residents only
The competition ends and comments close at 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday 5th November 2013. The winner will be notified by email so please make sure to leave your address when commenting (you can post as anonymous and leave your details that way too )
The answer deemed most creative will be the winner of their very own VTech Innotab 3S (RRP $189) to share with the kids.
Competition is open to Australian residents only
The competition ends and comments close at 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday 5th November 2013. The winner will be notified by email so please make sure to leave your address when commenting (you can post as anonymous and leave your details that way too )
I will update this post with the winning comment after the competition has closed and also share on Facebook.
See all participating blogs and the Full terms and conditions here.
Bekka Joy says
Wow! I’ve never seen them before and wouldn’t necessarily have gone looking because we own an iPad which both our girls use. However, this looks like it definitely has child based features that excel that of the adult styled iPad. Thanks for a great review.. interested to look at these a little more now ๐
How would my child(ren) use it?? Over and over would have to be my answer at the moment with a broken legged 3 year old ๐
Kate Lloyd says
Looks like a really great piece of technology that is really kid friendly. It’s always a challenge to know how much technology to expose our children to but I think that with balance and using good teaching tools such as this it makes it possible.
Chelsea @ Moments A Day says
I have never heard of this gadget before but it sounds great for the young ones! My just-turned-5 year old can confidently play in the Ipad but little brother (currently 2.5) I am still nervous about using it. He likes to carry it around to take pictures and it makes me so nervous that he’ll drop and break it! (plus he’s deleted things and changed settings many times, too) He loves the Ipad games though so I’m sure he would just adore one of these. He usually comes in after a nap, when my oldest is playing some games or watching a few documentaries on the Ipad for his quiet time, and I’d love to be able to give him his own device for a few minutes of wake-up play. I resisted technology as well until the last year when I saw so many other kids learning a lot from the games. There are so many great ones out there and although I don’t want it to take over our free time, I think it’s a useful tool to be used in moderation.
To answer the question… I believe my son would enjoy playing the games and using the camera. I’m sure he would LOVE it.
Deborah Alter-Rasche says
I think that like most things for children, appropriate technology, in moderation of course, can be extremely beneficial to various developmental areas and in the furthering of certain skills. And, let’s face it, in this day and age, there is no escaping it so we may as well embrace it. Can you imagine what our kids will be able to do by the time they are adults? Crazy to think!
Penny Whitehouse says
Wow Jode, you embraced technology, and you did it in a calm and thoughtful manner for your kids.
What would I do with a V-tech InnoTab 3? I’d love it for MY twins. They’re almost your girl’s age and so, I know they’d love it too. Plus I want them off my phone, they always make the battery die!
[email protected] says
The tablet looks great. Something to ponder over as I draw up our Christmas shopping list. I am a huge user of technology for learning and play. It totally engages my boys, and I have to realise that, rather than fight gaming culture, I really want to find ways to work with it and use it to further learning. Thanks so much for your wonderful tips Jode and for showing me the tablet. Most helpful. As for your question, my children will find ways to use it that will no doubt surprise me; they always manage to do so when using new technologies. xo P
Kelli Rootes says
Hi I would love to win as this looks so child and user friendly. My kids 2 and 3 year old have started asking to take photos and it would be nice for them to use something that is theirs rather than our phones!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
We have a VTech Innotab – the kids enjoy the camera component especially!
Jessica Wyatt says
My son would hopefully use this to stop driving me crazy by always stealing my phone! And maybe stop worrying about my replacing my phone so much since it’s currently caseless….lol ๐
Kim maxwell says
I would give the kids 45min a day each for “homework” time. They can be like their older sibling and learn at the same time…
Kim
[email protected]
Nik says
My almost 4 year old boy would get so much out of this. Being a slow talker it would encourage him a bit while using the story dictionary. When I read about it having the Queens English I almost jumped for joy! Not many electronic devices on the market today have that, even the apps you can download are Americanised.
I can see him getting great enjoyment out of this console and exploring all the apps available for it especially the drawing/artist type ones.
MummaK says
What a great review! I think in this ever advancing technological world we live in it’s important for our children to be exposed to age appropriate technology like this so they don’t get left behind! It would be fantastic to have an Innotab S3 for my daughter. She would use it to make good use if her afternoon quiet time while gaining an educational benefit. Definitely need to get our hands on one of these!
Danya atDanyaBanya says
Great review! My daughters would definitely use the camera function. JJ uses the camera on my phone at the moment to take photos of her toys and as part of imaginative play. She’s showing an interest in identifying flowers at the moment, so one play idea I had was for her to do an outdoor photographic scavenger hunt. xx Danya
MichVee says
For Little Miss Six, this would be ideal
Unwrapped on Christmas, it’d make her squeal!
She doesn’t have an IPad, or IPhone, or anything
And I can just imagine the joy this would bring
She would love taking photos of her sisters and friends
And have an educational play before each day ends
She could use the art app to create her own masterpieces
She could make video’s of her pet rabbit, or our two little nieces
The options are endless, this is such a great prize
And for my darling daughter Nikki, it’d make the best surprise!!!
(email [email protected])
Lena Hilgers says
No, I would never use tablets or any kind of electronic device for my young children or children in my care. Why not? Because they don’t need any of that in order to learn what they need to learn at any given age. No mater what the industry tells to convince you of (as obviously they want to SELL their products…), children always learn healthier, better and more long term if they do not have a screen in front of them, but instead interact with a human being.
Leisha says
Thank for the great review. I haven’t seen this product but you have heightened my curiosity.I like this look of this device. It looks much sturdier for smaller hand than an Ipad. Having an English husband who also gets upset about American language in toys/ apps etc the Queens English feature will appeal to him.
I do occasionally use technology with our 4 y.o boy and 3 year old boy and girl. Technology is such a part of modern life and there is no escaping it. My childrens’ childcare centre has introduced ipads into the class for limited group learning experiences and the local public school my son will be attending also use them in the classroom in addition to smart boards etc. So long as the technology is used in moderation and as a tool to assist learning (numeracy, fine motor skills, speech/language & literacy, imagination etc) and not just a substitute for other types of teaching/ learning or as a ‘babysitter’ it can be a wonderful addition. There are some great apps out there (many of them free).We love making movies and taking photos to then use in stories we make about our experiences out and about and occasionally just some games for fun. Our family would love one of these devices.
P.S – I love your blog. Was introduced by another multiples mum and you are amazing. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas – lots of things waiting for us to try x
([email protected])
Lisa Smith says
Hi Jode, my son is 3, nearly 4 and starting kindy next year. They have Ipads in their classroom (we don’t have any at home) but he does play some ‘educational’ games on our computer sometimes. He is seeing a speech therapist who uses her Ipad in sessions with him occasionally to encourage conversation and also to practice his speech (it certainly seems to engage him a lot better than when I try similar stuff at home!). So I do think I could use the Innotab to help with his speech therapy and build on his learning at kindy next year.
Thanks for the review and chance to win one!
Ness @ One Perfect Day says
Fantastic review Jodie! I’m heading out this weekend to begin the Christmas shopping (eek!) so I’ll be taking a look at this for sure. I think my son would use it in the car. He’s all about learning to read right now so I think this would be a perfect way for him to play and learn while we are on long drives.
JDaniel4's Mom says
What a great product! Your review was wonderful. I bet my son would love this.
sapna says
My son would love to click pictures on the Innotab 3S as his dad never shares his camera with him & the cardboard camera made by dad does not work. Moreover when his 2 month old baby brother sleeps & he is not allowed to make noise then he can entertain himself by playing with the educational apps on the Innotab 3S.He can paint, draw, learn counting,alphabets and many more things which is not possible for me to teach him at the moment with a small baby. I know nothing competes with the personal attention but with no family support around me Innotab 3S will definitely be a life saver for me ..