Safe Search Kids - Education, Parenting, Internet Safety for All

Do you ever hear about the positive sides of social media? Probably not very often. The negative press outweighs the positives. Scams, bullying, misinformation, privacy concerns. There are also the concerns when a person spends too much time on social media. It can take them away from interacting with friends and family in real life, leading to isolation.

While all of these issues are important to be aware of, there’s a positive side to social media that can’t be ignored. These upsides are the very reason why this worldwide phenomenon has grown experientially over the years, which has led to a growing number of social media apps.

Let’s take this time to remind ourselves about some of the positive sides of social media.

Storing Memories

Social media is very good at giving us an archived history of our lives. Each moment captured in time through photos.  One of the first social media platforms, Facebook, will even let you know of what you were doing 10 years ago on any given day.  On Instagram alone, 66,000 photos are shared every minute. That’s quite the collection of pictures.  The number of digital memories that add up over time is incredible.

Combine Facebook and Instagram together and there’s an unbelievable amount of content online. It’s special to look back on them – and you can even turn them into physical photo books with services like mysocialbook.com. You can download them, and they’ll become a book. With the number of social media hacks blocking people out of accounts, this is way to secure your photos in a way that is also enjoyable to look at.

Connecting Communities

Social media is excellent for connecting communities – we’re in touch with more people than we’d ever be able to if we didn’t have social media. it can even be a great tool for making friends – there are pages specifically for it. One of them is Find My Tribe.

That tribe can be fellow gardening enthusiasts, vintage car lovers, or aspiring chefs.

And there are some excellent pages for positivity and self-confidence boosting – something social media is known for doing the opposite of.  Social media in general is all about connecting likeminded people. The people you follow and in turn follow you are the ones you agree with on many issues.  This can be a lifeline for those who are lonely, even though we’ve already stated that social media can cause isolation for those who are normally outgoing in the real world.

Learning and Inspiration

Social media has endless amounts of knowledge and creativity. And yes, sometimes, that knowledge isn’t true. Always fact-check a video you see on TikTok before believing it. Even Taylor Swift is on a social media ban because of a deep fake picture posted of her.

Still, it’s great for learning and inspiration. Platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn offer opportunities that are great for it. You can pick up a new hobby, learn a language, and gain skills that advance your career.

Or you can spend the day watching TikTok Cook or TikTok Fitness. There’s incredible content everywhere. Of course, safe guards need to be in place for children to ensure they don’t fall victim to harmful content and cyberbullying.

Empowering Voices

Social media can be great for empowering voices. Again, TikTok and Instagram shorts are becoming a great example of this. TikTok is creating a ton of influencers with a voice. And it’s great for more excellent issues, like campaigns for environmental conservation and human rights – and some videos are doing that. Tons of money gets raised for different causes because of the awareness videos make.

Social media can be a conduit for bad, and bad news gets the clicks and makes news stories more popular. So, it’s logical that it doesn’t get a lot of positive press. The media focuses on the negatives. In reality, we wouldn’t be as connected to the world as we are without it. Many of us can’t imagine our lives without it.  For those in oppressed countries, social media is a lifeline for to make change by informing the world about their situation. This as the case in the Arab Spring.

Social media is what we make of it. If we use it mindfully in a health way, it’s a positive and powerful tool. Let’s keep scrolling, sharing, and connecting, making the most of the positive aspects of social media. Let’s stand up for what is wrong and pass on what is good in the world.

By Bill Wirtz – As children get older they become increasingly interested in the candy aisle, and often reach for things they are not supposed to have. Chewing gum is one of those items for which many parents are unsure what exactly the rules should be.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children be at least 5 years old before they start chewing gum.  This is because children under 5 may not have the necessary fine motor skills to chew gum safely and could swallow it, which can lead to choking or other problems.

After the age of five is when kids embark on the journey of the school system, where they’re asked to behave and focus on their work. It is probably demanded by the individual teachers for students not to chew gum during their lessons, but if you thought that she should not chew gum while doing their homework, think again.

Numerous studies have shown that the act of chewing sugar-free gum improves focus and memory retention. It might seem counterintuitive that what is mostly considered a sweet treat would actually have positive impacts on your cognitive ability. Chewing sugar-free gum is not merely helpful for memory retention; it is also associated with higher focus and productivity overall.

Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow which helps to wash away bacteria, viruses and toxins in the mouth, nasopharynx and upper gastrointestinal tract. Contrary to many uppers used in the workplace and by students, such as energy-drinks or coffee, sugar-free gum has mood boosting qualities without the downsides of sugar or caffeine dependence.

A study conducted in 2017 discovered that chewing gum had a positive impact on productivity and cognitive performance at work. It was also found to increase alertness, improve productivity, and reduce cognitive issues. In 2002, researchers conducted experiments using control groups to examine the effects of chewing gum on memory retention. The results showed that it enhanced the ability of participants to recall words immediately and after a delay.

Furthermore, a study in 2009 revealed that chewing gum not only improved alertness and reduced anxiety and stress levels but also had a positive effect on mood during stressful situations. Moreover, chewing gum can act as a distraction-free alternative to fidgeting, aiding individuals in maintaining focus on their tasks.

The question is not just whether it is safe for youth to chew gum, but also why it isn’t more incentivised. With news stories increasingly covering the technological distractions that keep youth distracted in class, shouldn’t we take a closer look at those things that might help them focus more?

Bill Wirtz is the Senior Policy Analyst at the Consumer Choice Center.

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In the dynamic landscape of education, teaching and learning methodologies are in a constant state of flux, perpetually advancing and transforming. The classrooms and lecture halls that we see today bear little resemblance to those of just a few years prior, offering vastly different experiences for the scholars they serve.

As we navigate this evolution, the concept of inclusive teaching has emerged at the forefront. This paradigm shift in education manifests a commitment to creating learning environments that embrace and engage all students. Let’s explore this progressive approach and delve into some of the top strategies for fostering a truly inclusive learning experience.

Inclusive teaching—once a mere whisper in the corridors of academia—has swelled into a resonant chorus echoing throughout modern educational discourse. The quintessential merits of this approach make it a subject of intense exploration among educators worldwide. This pedagogical approach, in essence, is all about ensuring every learner, irrespective of their background or abilities, is engaged and catered to within the learning environment.

Decoding the Key Aspects of Inclusive Teaching and Learning

Digging deeper into the realm of inclusive teaching, we find a suite of common attributes that define a truly inclusive classroom. These include creating a sense of belonging for all students, embracing an open-door policy that welcomes every learner, and fostering a psychologically safe haven for free and fearless expression. An inclusive classroom also promotes active listening, stimulates participation, and diligently works towards eliminating biases.

Furthermore, a key focus is on bolstering student motivation and maintaining it throughout the learning journey. At first glance, incorporating all these elements might seem like a massive undertaking, and indeed, it does require time and effort. But remember, the journey to achieving anything meaningful requires perseverance, and the numerous benefits reaped make this endeavour truly rewarding.

Strategies for Cultivating an Inclusive Learning Environment

Fostering a Safe Learning Environment

Creating a safe learning environment is of paramount importance in the inclusive teaching approach. This means establishing a psychologically safe space, where students have complete freedom to express their thoughts, perspectives, and doubts without the fear of judgement, ridicule, or retaliation. An implicit understanding of this safety should extend to the physical realm as well, ensuring students are protected from any harm or abuse.

Educators striving for inclusivity must ensure that respect and empathy are fundamental values upheld within the classroom. Every student needs to understand that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to misunderstand, and it’s okay to be incorrect. Bullying or belittling on these grounds is unacceptable.

Respect for one another is a pivotal element in maintaining a productive and interactive classroom. Hence, educators may need to establish ground rules that emphasise this, and gently remind students of these expectations as they proceed with their lessons.

Example

In an inclusive classroom, a culture of open dialogue exists where learners feel comfortable to voice their confusion or express their struggles without fear of ridicule. Let’s take a math class scenario as an illustration. Here, students are grappling with a complex equation, finding it difficult to comprehend the intricacies of the mathematical logic.

In a truly inclusive and psychologically safe space, these learners would feel at ease asking their teacher to elucidate further, breaking down the equation into simpler terms. They would have the confidence to admit their misunderstanding, without the fear of being stigmatised or teased.

This transparent communication strengthens the learning process, fostering an environment where curiosity is celebrated, and understanding is prioritised over mere rote memorisation.

Enriching The Learning Experience Through Diverse Materials

The profundity of academic expertise available today presents an opportunity to diversify learning materials, delivering a more well-rounded and enriching learning experience for students. Notably, students may find it easier to resonate with materials, when the authors or historical figures they study share a similar background or situation.

Furthermore, exposing students to a myriad of perspectives can significantly enhance their critical thinking skills, as they grapple with differing views and opinions. This approach fosters a holistic understanding of a topic, rather than a one-dimensional view.

Moreover, encouraging students to recognise biases in authors’ works, compare differing viewpoints, and personally relate to these narratives, cultivates a more immersive and educational experience than merely repeating the same references. Diversifying learning materials, thus, not only connects students more personally to the subject matter, but also broadens their intellectual horizons.

Example

Consider a history class delving into the complexities of the Vietnam War. Rather than examining the conflict solely through a specific lens, the educator adopts a more balanced approach.

Prioritising Student-Centric Adaptations

As educators, it becomes pivotal to acquaint ourselves intimately with our students and customise our teaching methodologies to cater to their unique needs. We must acknowledge the digital divide that exists among learners; some may lack requisite access to personal computing devices or high-speed internet. Consequently, we must ensure that their learning does not hinge excessively on tasks like creating elaborate Google Docs or scavenging the internet for responses.

Simultaneously, it’s imperative to consider learners who may grapple with reading-related challenges due to learning impediments. To ensure these students maintain stride with their peers, incorporating a broader spectrum of teaching tools—like video or audio content—may become necessary. The crux here lies in ensuring every student’s learning journey progresses unhindered, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Example

In this inclusive classroom, there are students who face significant challenges with written assignments due to varying writing difficulties, while another student grapples with reading-based tasks. To level the playing field for these students during assessments, the teacher decides to innovate.

Instead of a traditional written examination for the upcoming French test, the educator opts for an oral examination. This alternative approach allows these students to better demonstrate their understanding and proficiency in the French language, thus promoting fair and inclusive evaluation.

Next Steps for Teachers:

Read about strategies for advancing teaching skills in professional educators.

We should protect, nurture, encourage, provide, and show love and respect to our children. For instance, teaching your kindergarten child how to build their confidence can help set them up for success in life. Confidence helps kids feel like they can try challenging, new things (and try again when they fail).

The first step is to listen to them.  Ask poignant questions that will help them open up to you.  Building trust will make them more receptive to accepting your guidance you seek to building confidence in your young child.  Here are a few ways you can nurture that connection and help your child believe in themselves.

Encourage Independence

The first step toward building confidence is to encourage independence. Letting your child perform simple tasks on their own not only teaches them valuable life skills but also boosts their self-esteem. For example, helping children learn to tie their shoes is a great starting point for fostering independence in kindergarteners. The sense of accomplishment they feel when they successfully tie their shoelaces will be a significant confidence boost.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement plays a pivotal role in confidence-building. Recognize your child’s efforts and achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Whether they’ve shared their toys with a friend or completed a drawing, acknowledge their actions with words of praise. This positive feedback reassures them that they are capable and valued, fostering a healthy sense of self-worth.

Set Achievable Goals

Setting achievable goals is another effective way to build confidence. These goals could be related to academics, hobbies, or daily chores. Achieving these goals gives children a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to take on new challenges. Remember to keep the goals realistic and age-appropriate to prevent frustration and maintain enthusiasm.

Promote Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are crucial for building confidence. When they’re faced with a challenge, guide your child through the process of finding a solution rather than solving the problem for them. This approach helps them understand that they are capable of overcoming obstacles, which, in turn, strengthens their confidence.

Encourage Social Interaction

Social interaction is another key aspect of building confidence. Encourage your child to participate in group activities, make friends, and interact with others. These interactions help them develop social skills, learn to express themselves, and handle different social situations, all contributing to their overall confidence. You might encourage this by bringing your child to the park or community events, where they can meet other children their age.

Bonus Tip: Be a Positive Role Model

Finally, remember you are your child’s first and most influential role model. You can help children develop a positive attitude by demonstrating one yourself. Show confidence in your abilities, maintain a positive outlook on life, and handle challenges gracefully. Your child is likely to emulate your behavior, developing their own sense of confidence in the process.

Understanding how to build confidence in your kindergarten child involves many small steps. From encouraging independence to showing a positive attitude yourself, these actions will help your child on their way to boosting their confidence. With patience, consistency, and a lot of love, you can help your child develop the confidence they need to navigate the world around them successfully.