DD is turning 4 in two weeks (OMG!) and my parents want to know if they should get her an educational type computer or video game. We've so far not gone there. She watches 1/2 hour of cartoons a few days a week, but that's it for TV time. I know there are some great educational games -- and she is really into learning how to read, which I think could be great as a game -- but I am leaning towards keeping her away from that stuff for another year.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Leapster is cool but I am not that into the hand helds or video games.

My son has a leapster, and a leapfrog video game with Joy stick for the TV but not at all into it yet. He would rather I read him 15 books but unfortunately for him...I don't. He gets a book a night.
What about letting her play games on your laptop first and see if she gets into it or just stick with that for a while.
Noggin has some good ones.

B just turned 4 two weeks ago and I personally stick to books.
I love the smaill "I can read books 1,2,3". You can buy them at Walmart.

Vtech has some cool educational games but I still think books are the best.
What about putting the dollars they would spend on a game into a 529 and then buy some inexspensive books.

If you go to TOys r Us they have a whole section dedicated to video/educational games.

My son does actually LOVE his Spiderman Laptop. It teaches him to speall, numbers etc.. He tells me that he is going to "work" when he walks around with it. They also have them in pink or neutral colors.

Can't believe I forgot this game...
HULLABALOO by Cranium. It comes in DVD version and my son loves it!!!

The girls both play games on my laptop. We bought a set of games for our computer, I think there were 12, and the cover all sorts of things, there is even one that teaches typing skills. I think the first time M played she was 3 and A played a little sooner because she wanted to be like Big Sis.

I think Nicky was 4ish when he started with some very simple computer games--he loved the reader rabbit series--ask around there are lots of great choices for pre schoolers. It wasn't like plopping him in front of the tube--you need to sit with them and help them out, so while it's not quite same as a snuggle and book, it's still good time together. They see people using laptops or pc's all around them, and feel pretty proud to be doing the same!

I think waiting would be a good idea. Video games are fun but they're not necessary and if you're on the fence anyway you may as well put it off while you can. Especially if she's not begging you for one. If you don't have a computer game or a player, she won't ask to play it and you won't have to manage her time on yet another media source. You could still give her some time at pbskids or other web-based site every now and again. Or let her "type" an email message to grandma (Pidge loves this!). Or make art in whatever paint program you have and then print it out.

Kids really learn best right now from people vs screens. There's lots of studies to back this up. It doesn't mean video games are bad, but as form of learning they're more edutainment. And I don't think a small child really understands that what she sees on the screen is representational. She can't yet equate counting chicks with Curious George on the computer to counting jelly beans in her hand. Children learn best using manipulatives, things like jelly beans or checker chips that they can feel and move. You can even talk about subtraction as the jelly beans disappear.