When my four-year-old received an iPod Shuffle for Christmas, I rolled my eyes a little. What use does a preschooler have for an iPod, especially since I didn't get no iPod Shuffle for Christmas? Turns out, lots.
After having it sit in its box for a month, I finally loaded it up with some of my child's favorite music, everything from Laurie Berkner to the Cars soundtrack to Missy Elliot. When we go on car rides and I cannot listen to the music from JoJo's Circus one. more. time., I pass the iPod back, and she gets to hear her tunes while I listen to Fuhhh-reeeesh Air! She's even been known to pass one of the headphones to her toddler sister.
Recently, I logged onto iTunes, chose some kids' audiobooks and put those on as well. My daughter enjoys listening to them and after they are through, we work on her reading comprehension skills as I ask her what happened in the story and what her favorite part was.
I've taken to carrying around her iPod in my purse (because it's so small), and when we are out at restaurants waiting for our meal, I can whip it out and it will keep her occupied. We're probably going to ditch our portable DVD player and get a video iPod so that my girls can watch their favorite movies on long car rides or while on an airplane. Living in Silicon Valley does that to you, I guess.
