Speak to some people of a certain age and they’ll remind you that they didn’t have all this new-fangled technology we have today such as games consoles, iPads, etc. They’ll tell you how they had to go outside and play with a hoop and a stick and that they used to live in an old water tank on a rubbish tip (Monty Python reference).

Some may think that technology can be a blight on childhood, but times have changed and there are some electronic items that are pretty much essential. Here are just a few…

A Laptop

You might think that having your children sat in front of a TV is enough looking at a screen but a laptop has become an essential piece of equipment. The invention of the internet has completely revolutionised how children do homework, with text books slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Most children’s homework, particularly in secondary school, now involves some kind of internet use, which of course means they’re going to need a computer. You could allow them to use yours, but giving them their own will not only give them some responsibility but it reduces the likelihood yours will end up broken or with a virus! You don’t have to spend a fortune, either, as websites such as Electric Shop have some great deals on cheap laptops.

A Mobile Phone

Obviously most pre-teens have absolutely no need for a mobile phone, but once they become a teenager and they start to gain a little bit more freedom and want to go out with their friends then a mobile phone is an absolute must. It makes it easier to check up on them and make sure they’re OK and also for them to contact you if there are any problems. Even little things such as organising when and where to be picked up if they’re with their friends is made so much simpler with a mobile. If you get them a simple pay-as-you-go then you can control how much is being spent on it.

A Portable Games Console

Some parents aren’t big fans of games consoles but portable consoles can be a Godsend for one main reason – car journeys. If you’re going on a long car journey then do your kids a favour and get them something to do. Unless they’re the kind of kids that sleep the whole way. Some consoles such as the Nintendo 3DS also have a number of educational games if you’d prefer they played something a little more appropriate.

A Tablet Computer

Now, we’re not going down the iPad route with this one for various reasons. Instead we’re going to focus on the younger end of the market, specifically the LeapFrog tablets which are excellent for early learning and even pre-school learning. They’re packed full of educational games that will help them learn and you can get add-on cartridges which have games featuring loads of their favourite cartoon characters.

Reading Systems

Again we’re looking at the little ones and again we’ll focus on LeapFrog as they have some excellent reading aids. Their interactive pens are brilliant and read the words as your child moves it over them, helping them with their reading, spelling and talking. There are loads more on the LeapFrog website if this sounds like something that might be of use to your child.