how do you feel about the v-tech?

[moonlight mom]

My mother bought ds a winnie the pooh v-tech. He loves it and asks to play with it several times a day. It does teach him alot about letters and numbers, but I worry he plays with it too much.
He probably plays with it for 1.5 to 2 hours total per day (about 1/2 hour at a time). I limit his TV to 1/2 hour twice a day. Do you think this is too much? What are your thoughts on these toddler computers - helpful or harmful?
We spend at least 2-3 hours outside everyday and I try to encourage activity and creative play often.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
TIA

[silly_scout]

I hate Leapfrog, V-Smile, etc etc. I think these things "train" children to be video game/computer addicts. That being said, I absolutely LOVED my Speak and Read and Speak and Spell (remember those?) when I was younger. I don't know (or rather, can't articulate at this time) why I think the Speak and Spell is okay and the V-Smile isn't, but that's how I feel.
I guess another issue is the topic of commericialization. It seems like a lot of the Leapfrog and V-Smile stuff is for the purpose of promoting a television show under the guise of "education". I'm going to try to purchase products that promote an imagination - not a television show.
One last thing - I think a lot of these products can be harmlessly used if the parents are involved. But I think many parents buy the product and think, gee, V-Smile will teach DD her ABC's - I don't have to do anything. Maybe I'm thinking too much about this.
OP, this is only because you asked. I do not mean to impugn your parenting skills or put you on the defensive (nor do I mean to do that to anybody - just stating my opinion.)

[Ceili]

We're a big tech family and I don't have issues with computers and kids in moderation. But at the same time I don't like commericalized characters in my house. All the v-tech games that I saw were based on licensed characters.

We generally stick to starfall.com and giggles baby on the real computer when ds is begging for some screen time.

[lucyem]

My DS is 5 and has a Leapster. I found that at first he used it a lot. Over time I find he has days he will use it a lot and days he will not touch it. Like Ceili I am all for computers/tv/video games if in moderation. They have their place. The Leapster has made a difference in DS's learning to read for example. But I also treat all 3 as the same thing. If DS has an hour of video game playing for example then I say no to the tv and Leapster the rest of the day.

Oh remember speak and spell. "I am sorry that is incorrect. The correct spelling of Welcome is W E L C O M E"

[moonlight mom]

Thanks for the advice. I actually think that this winnie the pooh v-tech is pretty similar to the style of speak and spell (just a letter and number keyboard).
I also don't like the v smile because I noticed you need to hook it up to the TV and that just sounds like a video game.
I think I will limit it to under an hour a day. You are probably right lucyem - I'm sure he will get bored with it soon.
I always stress when my ds likes a new toy too much. I feel like he is obsessed with it for a couple of weeks!

[princesstutu]

How can you like a new toy too much? I thought kids were supposed to like their toys.

We like the V-smile enough. It is a video game and I don't have a problem with that. The Leappad I didn't like b/c the pen wasn't always as sensitive as it should have been, IMO.

[moonlight mom]

I realize that kids are supposed to like their toys and maybe I shouldn't have described it that way. I also like him to do other things and when he has a toy he really loves it is hard to break him away - even if I let him know way ahead of time.
I guess most toddlers are that way!

[mommyandlovingit]

We don't have problem with the vtech, vsmile, leappads in our house. DS recieved the vtech at the age of 1 and a half and learned how to count to 20 and knew the whole alphabet before the age of 2. I think if they have the right learning games there isn't a problem as long as it's in moderation.
DS turned 5 in May and has been reading for a year and a half now. The games that he gets for his vsmile teaches him something, whether it's the order of numbers or the alphabet and how to problem solve.

[AnnesMoM]

I think it's a glorified playstation and we won't be getting anything of the sort. There are better ways to teach children letters and numbers. With my 3 year old, we count everything throughout the day. When I'm in the store, I'll pick out something and we'll spell out the label.

ETA: We are also big on computers in our house, but I haven't shown my dd any games on it. She's the type who would rather play with her dishes/ dolls/ little brother. DS (9 months) is going to be a different story. He's already obsessed with anything technology related so I'm really loathe to show him anything related to a video game - I KNOW he'd go crazy for it.