Should my 8 and 5 year olds have an iPod shuffle?

Question

This is totally my idea and my kids have never asked for an iPod. Here's why I think I may give my children their own shuffle ($50 each). Our family spends a fair amount of time in the car commuting and on trips. I thought if the kiddos have their own iPod we could expose them to Classical music (only) no pop or Disney stuff, just the classics. When in the car, they don't watch tv/dvds and we limit that at home too. My wife thinks an iPod for a 5 year old is to much, she maybe right. On the other hand, when you're sitting in traffic at 5:00pm with two kids who've been in school all day, this might be a smart option. What do you think?

Answer 1

iPod for a 5y/o? I agree with your wife: too much.

What ever happened to discipline? My kids (now 16 & 18) weren't allowed any electronics in the car AT ALL. They sat at opposite sides of the car & sat quiet or they were punished when we got home.

Kids today are too spoiled & only act properly if there is a reward for them.

Answer 2

Instead of plugging kids into ear phones at a young age why not buy music CD's to play in the car, or plug the iPod into the car.

Answer 3

I think you should wait until they're old enough to appreciate it. Why not spend time with them instead? Ask them about their day... it's always nice to have a conversation with a little one. Kids really do say the funniest/smartest things.

Answer 4

No offense, but this is a terrible idea.  First, I'm concerned for their hearing.  Classical music is often quiet, then becomes booming and loud -- and in a relatively noisy environment like a car or airplane, you turn up the volume .  I have an IPOD, and for that reason, I don't listen to it on airplanes anymore.  You have to turn up the volums to get past the engine-noise.

Second, it's another opportunity to withdraw from family life into themselves. They'll be sullen, withdrawn teenagers soon enough.  Right now, let them interact with you, the world, each other, etc.  If it's a little noisy and chaotic, so what?  Don't turn them over to a machine to manage.

Third, if you want to introduce them to classical music, you should listen to it together.  That way it doesn't seem so much like "Do what I say; not what I do," and you can comment on it and discuss it if you like.  Kids know when something is really valued in the home and when it's "self-improvment."  

Fourth, it's "only" $50, but kids lose stuff all the time -- or other kids take it from them.

Answer 5

They are too young for that

Answer 6

No they should not.  Why not try talking to your children instead about what happened in their day instead of plugging them into something that will distract them for 45 minutes?  That way when they're teenagers, they won't have such a problem communicating with you.  

Answer 7

hmmmm that first answer is fishy...I smell a troll??

have you ever heard of a cd player in the car!!!   people are making their kids so flippin anti social...here's an idea....how about you communicate with your kids in the car and have somemusic in the background!!   an 8yr old may be ok with an ipod but not the 5 yr old...why do they have to listen to clasical?? you should expose your kids to every type of music you can! its wonderful for their developement!!

good luck

Answer 8

Play some classical CD's in the car and buy them some MadLibs books.

Answer 9

A five year old wouldn't really know how to take care of an iPod. I agree that you should expose your children to classical music, so why not put on a CD while in the car so you can all listen? This way you can tell your children which pieces are which, a little about the composer, and they can learn from you rather than sitting with earphones in. Besides, earphones aren't great for little kids - your youngest is likely to hit the volume wheel accidentally and could damage his hearing.  

Answer 10

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with letting them have limited and supervised Ipod use!  If you buy a First Generation Ipod Shuffle (the Ipod store still sell them, refurbished for around $39), they're virtually indestructable and are also pretty easy to use.  Also, with an Ipod, you can set a volume limit so that they can't damage their ears, which is good.

The one thing I'm not sure I agree with is putting all classical music on it.  I love the stuff, but also love Jazz, Blues and Swing as well! Why not get them some other types of music (not necessarily Pop or R&B), which they can listen to?  Or even a CD of Kid's Music?

Also, don't use the 'ear-buds', as these will be too big and hurt their ears.  Buy some traditional over the head style ones - they're not expensive!

Hope this helps!

Answer 11

We gave our daughter an mp3 player for her 5th birthday.  She is only allowed to use it under our supervision because it is so tiny I'm afraid she'll lose it.  About 3 weeks after her birthday we took a weekend trip & she used it in the car for the 2 hour drive.  It kept her happy and we didn't have to listen to "The Wheels On the Bus"  all morning!  We did opt for the headset that has traditional earphones instead of the "earbud" style that came with it.

She has a mix of classical and little kid favorites, no pop.

I say go ahead, but monitor when and where they are allowed to use them!

Answer 12

No, that's a bit much. Just put on some classical music in the car for everyone to listen to together.