I cannot believe I'm thinking about getting my 6 yo an iPod Touch

[Trek420]

The Luddite in me screams noooooo. So does the daughter of a very successful reading therapist, sibling of two college profs, daughter in law of a librarian ...

But then you won't let the toy replace quality time with reading, desk skills, non-screen learning I'm sure.

Recently I was on a flight with parents and the most darling child in front of me. She was probably 2 or just about that. They were valiantly keeping her occupied when she turned around and saw my iPod.

Her eyes went big and she reached for it "The preciousssss ... mine!" 2, OMG.

I thought to myself "self?" I thought "there's plenty of time for iPods and such. How often does she have an artist near" and whipped out my sketch book.

With the parents permission I began with drawings already in the book "Here's a birdie. Do you know what that is? Yes, a tree. Where's the bird? Do you want to see a doggie? Where's the dog in this picture? Yes! That's the dog! What color is the dog? Yellow, yes. Do you have a favorite color? that was a little advanced for her so to the parents does she have a favorite? ok it's pink Would you like to see a pink dog? Yes, that's funny. A pink dog. Here it is .... the pink dog has the purple bird on his back. Yes, that's funny ..." and so on and so on alllllll the way to Seattle

As we landed the parents asked "Can we hire you to fly with us ALWAYS Hmmm, how often do you fly here?

But that's what you want, language, interaction, creativity, talking, play, reading ... all of it. There's no ap for me, or more important for quality interaction with YOU and other caring adults in her life.