A cup of warm coffee is within your reach! ☕ And no, we're not talking about playing a looped song on YouTube. The solution that won't evoke parental guilt is THIS – a educational tablet with a SIM card. 🤩 Find out why and how to choose one among the sea of offers.
(If you're also looking for other electronic gadgets for your child besides a tablet, check out our post on choosing a smartwatch: Which Smartwatch to Choose for a Child?)
Why is an Educational Tablet with SIM Important?
An educational tablet has what many parents love the most. It provides your little one with both entertainment and a smart way to learn new things. 🤩 Its numerous multimedia functions (e.g., melodies, colorful lights) will capture a young user's attention. 💪 But a fun interface is just a cover for a wealth of educational content.
Basic tablet models teach simple words and skills, like recognizing animals and colors. More advanced ones can help with learning letters, reading, and even solving math problems. 🔢 This doesn't mean educational tablets have nothing to offer slightly older children, such as school-aged kids. You simply need to match the device and its pre-loaded apps to the child's age. And just as importantly – such a device can be adapted to the changing needs and interests of the child.
All of this is possible thanks to installing appropriate programs and/or applications on the educational tablet. They support the young person in learning and developing skills they are interested in. You can find such apps mainly on Google Play or the App Store. Just type "educational app" in the search bar. 📚 You can also look for websites with online courses for children. The possibilities offered by the internet are vast, and you can use them to your advantage. That's why it's important that the chosen tablet for your child can connect to the internet, e.g., via a SIM card.
Types of Educational Tablets for Children
Different types of tablets for children vary greatly in their purpose. Not all of them support SIM cards. Prices for educational tablets range from a few dozen to several hundred zlotys.
Choose a specific solution based on the child's age, their needs, and the functions you'd like to install. Also, consider whether the chosen educational tablet is intended to be just a temporary toy. Perhaps it's worth investing a bit more and buying a device that will last for years.
Types of Tablets for Children Available on the Market:
- Toy: the device primarily has multimedia functions, e.g., sounds and lights. This is a great solution for the youngest, i.e., children up to 2-3 years old. The tablet is used for learning letters, animals, and playing. It does not support SIM cards. When choosing one, you are usually limited to the functions and/or applications pre-loaded by the manufacturer. Such a toy will not grow with the child.
- LCD Drawing Tablet: particularly suitable for creative children who love to draw. A special stylus is included, similar to professional graphics tablets. The device can also be used for simple notes. However, it does not support SIM cards. This is a more modern version of the popular magic slate.
- With a Special Case for Children: a tablet designed to withstand a child's rough play. It has an operating system installed (most often Android), so it can connect to the internet. It's characterized by limited functionality. It is also adapted for use with programs dedicated to the youngest and their guardians. This includes parental controls, learning apps, and GPS functionality. The device is significantly smaller than traditional tablets, making it ideal for small children's hands. Additionally, its colorful case is made of rubber. Its purpose is to protect the tablet from damage, e.g., in case of spills or drops.
- Regular Tablet: meaning one that is not specifically adapted for children. Some guardians decide to buy this type of device directly, as it will serve the child longer. However, it's worth opting for an inexpensive model that you won't regret if it gets damaged by an excited toddler. (Also, take a look at our post: First Phone for a Child – When and Which One?). Before such a tablet falls into a child's hands, it's important to block inappropriate content on it, e.g., using parental control apps.
Which of the mentioned options do you think will be best for your child? Before you decide, see what features are worth looking for in an educational tablet for a child.
What to Equip a Good Tablet for a Child With?
1. Internet
As we mentioned earlier – the key factor is the tablet's ability to connect to the internet. 🤩 Without a network, online educational websites and games won't work. You can insert an internet card into the device, e.g., with a no-commitment offer from Mobile Vikings. (If you're wondering: How to Choose a Prepaid Plan for a Child?, we have that post too).
2. Parental Control
Equally useful for safeguarding a child's health and safety is the ability to install parental controls. 👪 These include blocking access to inappropriate content, controlling screen time, and the ability to monitor a child's online activities. A tablet with parental controls is a practical device, and installing such an app will help ensure online safety. 🤝
4. Learning Apps
An educational tablet for a child would lose its most important function without appropriate learning apps. 📚 Some devices come with pre-loaded programs for learning languages, math, or other subjects. Well-selected and diverse apps will help acquire knowledge in a fun and quick way. You can download these applications from Google Play or the App Store. When choosing, consider the number of downloads and user ratings. 💪
5. GPS Function
Also, make sure the device has a GPS function. Thanks to it, you'll know where your child is at any given moment. For example, you can easily check if they've arrived at school or their extracurricular activities. 🧒
Technical Specifications of Educational Tablets with SIM
We hope these possibilities haven't made your head spin yet. Because we're left with the last thing to consider when choosing an educational tablet for a child: technical specifications. Therefore, it's worth knowing the parameters to pay attention to when choosing this device. 💪 A tablet for a child should be intuitive to use and suited to their age and needs.
When buying an educational tablet, pay attention to:
- Durability: the device should be resistant to drops and shocks. Some educational tablets for children have rubber protection and reinforced glass. Buying a protective case is a good solution. 🛡️
- RAM and Processor: these two parameters determine which programs can be used comfortably. The more RAM you have, the more advanced the applications you can use. Tablets usually have from 512 MB to several GB of RAM. It's worth choosing a device equipped with at least 1 GB.
- Screen Diagonal: an educational tablet with SIM shouldn't be too large. For the youngest, devices with a 7 or 8-inch diagonal are recommended, and for older children, slightly larger devices, e.g., 9 or 10 inches.
- Battery: a capacious battery means a long usage time without needing to charge the device. Its capacity is particularly important during travel, especially if you don't have a charger handy.
- Internal Storage: thanks to it, you can save many apps, games, and movies on the device. We recommend educational tablets that have at least 64 GB.
Yes, we know. There are quite a few possibilities. But you're not on the Vikings' website to not get complete information. 💪 We are sure your child will be delighted with your choice. 🤩
