6 year old daughter wants an I-pod for X-mas. Would you buy it?

meby · « **on:** 20 Dec 2006, 10:52 pm »

My daughter wants an I-pod for Christmas and I have differeing opinions in regards to purchasing it for her.

1. I worry that she will damage her ears by listening to the headphones to loudly, even though I warn her everytime she uses headphones to be careful as she could permanently damage her hearing.

2. I want to encourage her love of music and maybe an I-pod would be the best option?

Obviously she is too young for a turntable and I am not sure about a CD based system either.

Just looking for other's opinions for a young child who wants to enjoy music.

Carlman · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 10:59 pm »

I wouldn't but I don't have kids... Does she want it because it's an iPod or does she want to listen to music?
I have a 5-yr-old nephew who's about to turn 6 and I can't imagine him actually wanting an iPod specifically but who knows.... I'd get him a little jam box or something for $50... because he's going to break it. But, girls are generally much nicer to their 'gear' so an option may be to get the iPod/speakers combo and not let her use the buds just yet... I'd be a little worried about a child that young with earbuds personally.
Take it for what it's worth...
-C

mjosef · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 11:09 pm »

Damn, this is a tough one...I am definitely not in favor of having my kids have what other kids have just to fit in...I bought my daughter her first portable cd player when she was 10, with multiple warnings of " if I can hear the headphones from 5feet away, its too loud". 6-year old, methinks she's too darn young to be sticking stuff into her ears. I vote NO, at least I would not for my kid.
When my daughter was that age, she danced to whatever music I played...be it Sun Ra, Miles Davis or Prince.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 11:33 pm »

Quote from: meby on 20 Dec 2006, 10:52 pm

My daughter wants an I-pod for Christmas and I have differeing opinions in regards to purchasing it for her.

1. I worry that she will damage her ears by listening to the headphones to loudly, even though I warn her everytime she uses headphones to be careful as she could permanently damage her hearing.

2. I want to encourage her love of music and maybe an I-pod would be the best option?

Obviously she is too young for a turntable and I am not sure about a CD based system either.

Just looking for other's opinions for a young child who wants to enjoy music.

When I was 6 (xmas 1986), I got an Emerson stereo (turntable, tape deck, FM radio). I was thrilled; it was my first "adult" christmas gift. I had an FM Walkman at that time, and certainly never listened loudly or in public -- just on car rides, at home, etc. I always complained at my father when he turned it up too loud for my tastes (which was certainly relatively quiet, and no doubt he was doing it just to provoke me

).

Generally, I'd think that if she doesn't go nuts with the volume control on radios, television, and your stereo now, she likely won't with an iPod. Perhaps the most serious concern is it being used in environments (i.e., school-bus) where it may be a distraction for her, a theft-target, or a social symbol. My argument for is that it would teach responsibility, encourage appreciation of music, and be an "adult" toy which will be appreciated and (hopefully) respected. Of course, if she is inclined to loud things already, or only appears to want it from the perspective of a fashion accessory and entrance to the pop-culture consumerist world, than I would argue heavily against.

I just know I damaged my hearing much worse by mowing lawns and riding 4-wheelers in middle-high school, going to concerts etc., than I did while listening to classic rock on headphones in elementary school.

Zero · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 11:50 pm »

When your princess’s assignment at school still involves making an interpretive sculpture of Frosty the Snowman using dried macaroni noodles, a clue that even Thelma or Blue shouldn’t have to point out suggests buying her something other than what you would also find on the wish-list of a kid that just received their learners permit. Then again, I could turn around and use this gift to discover new music from her play-list, I’ve just always wanted to hear the unedited version of Snoop’s latest single that was a collaboration with Akon.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 12:12 am »

My 8 year old twins never brought up getting an iPod. But one of them truly enjoy music my wife an I decided to start with a less expensive MP3 player to see how well they do with the responsibility. The best thing about buying such a youngster one of these devises is that you can control (or at least monitor) the music that gets downloaded into it.

I am not concerned about the ears as he do not like it loud but we will monitor their volume for a while.

Every child is different and only you can make the decision. At least with this thread, you will be able to get a few thoughts from parents.

My problem is I don't know how they work

Antman27 · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 12:38 am »

On my wife's new Ipod nano it has a volume limiter in the set up menu so you could set it up and it would never go over the volume you chose
nice option

Canyoneagle · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 12:59 am »

I like the earlier suggestion of an iPod plus some form of external dock (Apple's verson, the Sonic Impact, etc).

When I lived overseas, my son (who was 3 to 7 years old during that time) would watch DVD's with headphones on the long flights. We bought him a set of circumaural headphones (versus buds) and I would periodically check his chosen volume levels.
This seemed to work very well.

He is now 11 years old and watches movies on his eMac (we're tv free)with my Sennheiser HD280's, and I am happy to report that (thus far) his hearing is fine.

I think discretion is the key here.

Good luck!

Warmly,
Michael

AB · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 01:07 am »

I am right at this moment burning a bunch of CDs to a new Creative Zen Nano Plus (1 Gig) for my 11 year old niece.

Eleven isn't six but I think this little player is better suited for any aged child than an Ipod.

I found it at Staples for ~$60 but there is an online rebate for ~$30.

$30 is not too bad for something that WILL get lost, broken or whatever. Plus, I do not think it is quite the status item that an IPod is and I do not want to encourage status symbol consumption.

I am not sure about volume controls but this one has an FM tuner, a voice recorder and runs on one AAA (rather than a USB charger).

http://preview.tinyurl.com/ubwah

Hmm. Seems the online deal is not the same as the local deal.

tomjtx · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 01:26 am »

I wouldn't buy more than a nano which doesn't have a hard drive. The volume limiter is a great idea.
My son at 14 has been through 2 ipods and he is very careful ( they are kids after all, even at 14)

a better idea could be to give her music lesons, start on piano and go from there

randytsuch · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 01:59 am »

I have daughters, age 7 and 9.
The 9 year old got an ipod nano last year for Christmas.
The 7 year old will get one this year.
I think 6 is a little young, I would go with a portable boom box, if she does not have anything like that already.

They both have boom boxes, from previous Christmas or birthdays. I used to make copies of CD's for them, so I did not have to worry if they trashed a CD, I could just make another copy.

BTW, the suggestion for music lessons is a good one. Both my kids take piano and flute lessons.

Randy

Antman27 · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:12 am »

My 3 year old girl knows how to use my Denon 3910 and 3805 better than my wife
She loves music & listens every day
She is gentel with it so far

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:14 am »

Awww, what a cutie!

I don't have kids, but I don't think I'd give a 6 year old an iPod. If I was going to consider it I'd probably look around and see if I could find some type of 'phones with a low sensitivity that couldn't be driven too loudly, if such a thing exists. I second the recommendation for a boombox or something.

As an alternative, perhaps an iPod with a docking station instead of phones?

BikeWNC · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:36 am »

I have a 6yo daughter and I wouldn't give her an IPod. Heck I don't even have one! We have talked about them though cause she hears the buzz in school. Same as we have talked about GameBoys as not needed. She loves music though and is a budding pianist. I most enjoy when she comes into the music room and sits on the floor and works on a project while we listen to the system. I just feel like those times are the best and if she had an IPod then we would be in our separate worlds.

So, instead of an IPod we bought her a small digital camera. She has used my cameras before and actually takes very good pictures. I think it will be a good way for her to express her artistic talent and something she can share with the family. Just my .02 FWIW.

Andy

Tr3vWh0r3 · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:36 am »

To me an Ipod is a portable device. I can see it being used for trips in the car and such but not much more for a 6 year old. If the player were to be taken to school there is a risk of someone stealing it etc.. I warned my cousin who is 14 to at least change the white buds so as to hide the fact that it is an Ipod being listened to. If you limit the use of the Ipod to home and occasional car rides then it really isn't worth it. I know lots of 6 year olds using a Playstation 2 to play games, if they can do that, they can run a cd player. Maybe her own little system would be a better option. Just my little opinion.

Canyoneagle · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:44 am »

wow. I haven't even considered the 'school' factor.
We homeschool, and are generally separated from (but not ignorant of) 'trends' and their influences. My son doesn't care about where his music is coming from, be it from family/community music time or from an iPod.
I guess I am coming from a perspective that may not merge well with a child in public school, so I cannot gauge whether my input is useful.

Just a thought for the whole 'context' factor.
Good luck.
Warmly,
Michael

rbrb · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 03:57 am »

The word Ipod has become like Kleenex or Ski Doo. Sorry I'm from Canada. Do you have Kleenex and Ski Doo's In the U.S? The word is now generic for a MP3 player. Most people shopping for a MP3 player this Christmas season think they are looking for Ipod. Get her the most inexpensive MP3 player you can find with volume limilting.

PeterM · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 05:07 am »

Protect those precious ears use mp3gain to limit the maximum level the file will playback at http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/, by default mp3gain is set to a level said to avoid clipping but were here to prevent permanent ear damage.

Turn your mp3 player to maximum without any limiter, use mp3gain to lower the mamimum level available from the mp3 file.

Mp3gain is FREEWARE no ads or nasties also it is non destructive to the file,so you can change the file as often neededto obtain maxmium level available.

For those familiar with Foobar or Winamp mp3gain is same as replaygain but you get to set the level.

warnerwh · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 05:35 am »

We told our daughter that if we can hear the music outside of the headphones then we're taking it away. I also explained that permanent hearing damage can result. She's been good about it ever since. Katie is 10 and has had this Ipod since last Christmas.

A six year old may be pushing it. You're the best judge on whether she will keep it down. My best guess on average is I'd wait til she's at least 8. There's a big difference in the next two years. You'll see your daughter start to mature in spurts, it's kind of weird. One day you'll be talking to her and find she's made it to another level, next thing you know she did it again.

meby · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 05:56 am »

Good thoughts so far I am leaning to maybe a boombox as I do worry about her listening too loudly. She is a budding audiophile and attends meetings with me at the Chicago Audio Society and has an appreciation for classical music, the blues, jazz, and generally likes all types of music.
Maybe music lessons would be a good idea as she has asked to learn to play the piano a couple of times lately. My daughter is more technical savy than my wife even, she knows how to turn on the projector in our home theater and load DVDs etc. I was worried about her trashing CDs, so was leaning towards a MP3 player. The idea of burning CDs for her so they can get scratched and I still have the originals is a good idea. Man they sure do grow quickly!