There are a lot of conversations that parents should have with their kids that are difficult. Unfortunately, topics of a sensitive nature dissuade many parents from bringing them up. For one, they don’t want to inform their kids of something they might not yet know about. Things that existing online that would be harmful to their psyche.

Still, you also don’t want your kids stubmbling upon something harmful by accident will searching Google or clicking other links found on seemingly innocent websites. Since kids use our website for filtering the internet, we will explore this subject with sensitivity as we present the problem and various solutions with downloadable resources.

Protecting Kids from Explicit Content

It’s no secret that there is explicit material online that’s available to anyone with any device that has access to the internet. At some point in the growth of your child, they will learn about them at school, even if they have not yet explored the internet for them. We’ll discuss steps as to the best age to have a conversation with kids about these things and what to do in the meantime.

It would be ideal if all explicit material was at least behind a pay wall. This means a credit card is required to access it, and not a free for all that is currently is.

Cable companies have long provided this adult material to subscribers. However, parents can easily set up parental controls on their cable box to access even the simple preview images of the material.  Beyond that, payment is required and any purchase would show up on your bill. Therefore, access has a high threshold for kids.

The internet is far from that model, although some countries have tried some form of retricting harmful parts of the internet unavailable to under aged web users.  The bottom line is this.  Societies are reluctant to move forward for a variety of reasons that we will not explore here. In a nutshell, they are issues of censorship and the will to make it happen.  That’s another conversation.

As mentioned, most children learn about this explicit content from friends or on the school playground before parents address the problem. The age this happens varies and a lot of where it goes from that point forward has to do with how much a parent is paying attention. There may be an assumption that “my child wouldn’t know about that”.

First Steps to Protect  Kids Online

So, what is the solution to ensure internet safety and it’s many facets?

Firstly, there are things that a parent can do even before they discuss it with their family members.  Precautions should be taken at an early age so that at very least, kids don’t accidentally stumble upon mature content online.

Use Common Sense

These steps include common sense restrictions of where your child uses their device to access the internet.

• It is in the family room or in the privacy of their bedroom?

• Do they have access to the internet while at school on a personal device via cell service?

• Does the school have internet filtering when kids are connected to the school’s WiFi connection?

Without any external monitoring software, you can at least keep an eye on things.

Get to Know the Parents of your Child’s Friends

This is conversation that should take place with other parents. What are their household rules for internet use if your child is going to be visiting their friend’s home?  Do other parents share similar values as you?

Free Safe Search Options

Have your kids use Safe Search Kids as their main search engine. It delivers Google results with strict filtering. It’s does not replace full time monitoring, as we will touch on later in this article.

An Agreement of Trust between Parent and Child

Regardless of how deep you go without child about the “bad things” of the internet, kids can understand rules of engagement around the use of their devices.   Just as you want to protect them when they do play in the park, a child can agree that you want to protect them online. This includes how much time they spend playing games.

Filtering the Internet

General tips are well and good, but ultimately third party parental control filtering and monitoring is needed to provide the ultimate in peace of mind.  At the very least it notifies you when a child has breached a barrier. This is ideal when kids are older and you have set up an agreement of trust without fully blocking them even questionable material online.  Of course, when kids are young parental controls allow you to but strict filtering in place. This can include limiting access to the internet to specific times and restricting more risky social media apps.

Having the Difficult Conversation

When parents feel it’s time to discuss the dangers of the internet, the terminology used will depend on the age of the child. However, the fact that there is material you don’t want your kids to see demands some kind of acknowledgment and expression to your children about how you are concerned. In the meantime, basic steps, regular conversations and external filtering options can set every family up for success, whether they are at home, at school, or out playing with friends.

Below are some resources to assist parents, as well as online tools that can help begin the conversation and make it less uncomforable for children of all ages.

Resources:

• Chatting with Kids About Being Online – PDF Download
• Educational games that test kids internet savvy.
• Take the Safety Pledge as a Family
• Be Internet Awesome

Safe Search Kids is devoted to safer internet search for children and teens. We also provide articles and educational resources for parents and teachers.  Children can freely search Google without a parent’s fearing their child stumbling upon an explicit website. The worst of the internet is vehemently blocked and even mildly questionable content is filtered.

Additional search filtering is provided for images, wiki for kids, images, videos, and safe game search. While our website is a free resource that at a mimimum helps protect the search function of the internet, we believe that parental controls are the best defence to protect kids online.

As a parent, you want to give your children the best possible education. But it can be hard to know how to help them make the most of their studies. Fortunately, there are many creative ways you can support your child’s educational journey and encourage them to reach their full potential.

From setting up an inspiring study space in your home to introducing fun activities that will teach important skills, here are 6 creative ways you can help your kids with education.

1. Offer Online Studies As An Option

With so many options for online learning, you can open up a world of possibilities for your child’s education. Look into the various courses available, and help them decide which one will be best suited to their needs and interests. A full-on online high school education, about which you can learn more at https://svhs.co/, can provide your child with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful in their chosen field. Kids are also more likely to stay motivated in an online setting since they can work at their own pace and get help from instructors whenever they need it.

2. Set Up An Inspiring Study Space

Motivation and concentration are essential for any student’s success, so creating a supportive study space in your home is crucial. Make sure the room is well-lit, quiet, and free of distractions such as TV and video games. Place comfortable furniture that promotes good posture, like a desk and ergonomic chair, and add some motivational items such as inspiring quotes or posters. Encourage your child to personalize the space with items that make them feel relaxed yet energized when studying.

3. Incorporate Fun Learning Activities

Learning doesn’t always have to be boring! Incorporate fun activities into your child’s studies by introducing educational games, puzzles, and projects. These can help make the learning process more enjoyable while also helping them master complex concepts. You could also plan field trips with a learning focus, such as museums or gardens, which will introduce them to new ideas and cultures. Additionally, you can get creative with how you approach learning topics. For example, if you’re teaching geography, play a game of virtual “travel bingo” or encourage them to build their own miniature city from recycled materials. By making the most of educational experiences, your child will be able to retain more information than they would with traditional methods.

4. Encourage Creativity

Creativity is an important skill that kids should be encouraged to explore. Allowing them to express themselves in creative ways helps boost their confidence and promotes critical thinking skills. Give them some time each day where they can work on activities like drawing, painting, or music without any pressure of doing well or meeting expectations. Fun projects such as creating a homemade instrument, making up stories and writing them down, or inventing new games can help foster creative thinking. Ask them about their ideas and provide positive feedback to show your support – by giving kids the confidence to explore their own interests, you’ll be helping them develop important skills that will last a lifetime.

5. Offer Regular Support And Encouragement

Your child’s success in education is not just about their ability to learn, but also their attitude. Make sure you are providing them with regular support and encouragement throughout the learning process. You can do this by having regular check-ins around their studies, offering help when needed, and praising them for even small achievements. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in boosting their confidence and helping them succeed. It’s also important to communicate your expectations around their learning but try to do so in a supportive manner. Showing understanding and patience when they make mistakes can help your child stay motivated and confident while learning.

6. Keep An Open Mind To Different Learning Styles

Every student learns differently, so be open to trying different approaches with your child that match their learning style. Some children may benefit from visual aids such as videos or diagrams while others may prefer hands-on activities or study through discussion. Being flexible will ensure that your child is getting the best possible education tailored to their needs. And while it’s important to stay focused on their education, don’t forget to provide them with downtime too. Balance is key to a healthy learning environment and having time away from studies can help improve concentration levels.

By creating an inviting study space and incorporating fun activities, offering support and encouragement, and understanding the different ways that kids learn, you’ll be helping your child find success in their education. With the right tools and guidance, they can achieve great things.

The recent pandemic may have resulted in your kids spending too much time staring at a screen. While it’s understandable to meet their homeschool responsibilities, modern lifestyles often leave your little ones online long after they “punch out” for the day.

The overuse affects their health. For one, kids who spend too much time indoors staring at screens are more likely to need glasses. Furthermore, entire books have been written on the impact of social media and online interactions on mental health in youth.

What can you do? How about reconnecting with those you love the most while doing something more fun than scrolling through Twitter? Here are nine screen-free family activities to participate in this week.

1. Host a Family Game Night

What’s an inexpensive way to get your kiddos off the screen? Bring back family game night. This activity offers the perfect bonding opportunity while possibly making your little one perform better in school.

How? Some benefits of playing games with loved ones include improved motor functioning and problem-solving abilities, helping them perform better at everything from science experiments to essay writing. You can even throw a bit of math and economic theory in there if you can resist flipping the Monopoly board.

2. Recreate the Drive-in Experience

When was the last time you visited your public library? If it’s been a while, you should explore. They have much more than books available for rent, including movie projectors — letting you recreate the drive-in experience at home on the cheap.

Light the patio heaters if it’s a bit chilly and create a space where you have an unobstructed view of your projection “screen.” Bring plenty of pillows, blankets and a big bowl of popcorn to share as you kick back and enjoy a flick with the fam. Better yet, invite a few friends and nurture your IRL social network.

3. Have the Great Kids Bake-Off

Have you seen all the cute kid’s cooking shows on channels like Food Network? You can recreate them at home.

Doing so teaches more than home economics. It also reinforces their math skills, especially if you have to double or reduce the recipe to fit your unique needs.

4. Try Out Escape Games

Escape games can provide a thrilling and challenging experience for families looking to engage their minds while having fun together.

Whether you choose to visit a local escape room or create your own at home, this activity encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills. Many companies also offer Private Escape Rooms that can accommodate your whole family, ensuring a unique experience tailored just for you. Not only is this a great way to bond, but it can also be an opportunity for your family to practice communication and collaboration.

5. Play With Pets in Need

Does your lease say “no dogs allowed,” causing you to deny your child’s desperate pleading for a pet? Why not do some good while letting them enjoy their 4-legged friends?

How? Scores of shelters need volunteers to walk dogs and socialize kitties. You’ll have to fill out an application and complete basic training — growing your kids’ skills. Performing acts of kindness is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, as it prompts the release of positive neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin.

6. Go on a Nature Walk

A nature walk is another way to nurture your physical and mental health. Doing so eases anxiety and depression symptoms while lowering blood pressure and helping you manage your weight.

You can make this activity educational if you like. There are scores of plant, animal and insect identification apps to let you discover science out on the trail, and most cost less than $35 a year. Alternatively, you could practice mindfulness, focusing on how you feel and your sensory experience as you stroll.

7. Take Advantage of an Inexpensive Day at the Museum

The museum is a fabulous place to study anything from art to anthropology. It can also be a budget-friendly screen-free activity. How? Many museums offer special family days where kids can get in for free.

Better yet, many such areas feature beautifully sculptured grounds where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. You might brown-bag it but enjoy scenery worthy of the Four Seasons.

8. Family Bonding Through Creative Play

Take your playtime to the next level. Go beyond board games with educational toys that engage fingers and minds alike. Games and toys that require piecing together multi-dimensional structures or puzzles are fun for all ages, including parents.

There is nothing stopping you from working on two projects at the same. Set up two builder-type toys at each end of the table, perhaps one for younger kids and the other for teens. Family members can move back and forth assisting each other to complete each project.

9. Create a Unique Work of Art

Do you want a teddy bear your child will cherish well into adulthood? You can still find Build-a-Bear workshops, sometimes conveniently located in big box stores you frequent anyway, like Walmart.

Alternatively, get creative with clay. Businesses such as As You Wish let you craft custom pottery on their spinning wheels and fire it for you to make a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

10. Build a Better Playset

Do your kids constantly clamor to go to the park? The playground is a fabulous resource, but sometimes, sketchy neighborhoods or even over-concerned parents of other children make it questionable for your kids to play solo.

Instead, consider working on a custom playset in your backyard this weekend. Let your kids help to hone their motor skills and offer engineering advice — how many swings do they want? What could the danger be of placing them too close together? Let them work their wee problem-solving skills. This project may take more than one day to complete, but that’s all the more time to enjoy this screen-free activity with your little ones.

11. Start a Victory Garden

Planting a garden has oodles of benefits. It provides your family with fresh, organic produce and gets you moving in the great outdoors. Best of all, it can lower your grocery bill, and who doesn’t need to save more on shopping these days?

You can make this activity even cheaper if you save the seeds from the produce you already buy. Cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes and peppers are a snap to dry and keep and sprout to new life in the spring.

Screen-Free Family Activities

Are you seeking a screen-free weekend with your kiddos? The above activities provide fun, bonding opportunities and even the chance to sneak in a bit of extra education.

Enjoy these screen-free family activities this week or anytime. You’ll feel closer to your kids and protect their health from too much screen time.

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!

One of the best ways to teach your children about nature is to get them involved in fun activities. There are many different ways to do this and each child will respond differently. However, by engaging them in a hands-on way, you can help them learn about the world around them in a fun and memorable way.

You might take them on nature walks, start a small garden together, or even set up a bird feeder to observe local wildlife.

These simple activities can spark curiosity and foster a deeper connection with the environment.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Get Outside and Explore Together

From a day at the beach to an afternoon in the mountains, getting outside is one of the best ways to spend time with your family. Exploring together helps build stronger connections, encourages communication, and allows everyone to be present and connect with nature. Go deep into the Amazon rainforest and have the privilege of seeing finger monkeys. There are incredible facts about finger monkeys that you can share with your children. You can also hike in the woods together and look for different plants, animals, and insects.

There are plenty of opportunities for families to go outside and explore together. Make special memories, have fun together, and create lasting bonds by getting off the beaten path. Don’t be afraid to experience new places and adventures. Nature has so much beauty and adventure; take advantage of an opportunity to share those wonders with your family.

2. Have a Picnic Lunch in the Park

Nothing’s more delightful on a sunny summer than having a picnic lunch out in the park. Sitting beneath a shady tree, with a basket of tasty foods in front of you and lots of room to move around.  It’s an idyllic scene. By taking time away from our busy schedules and dedicating it to simply enjoying the day, stress melts away.

Bring along a couple of friends for conversation and extra hilarity, or stay solo with your thoughts.  Either way, you’re bound to finish feeling relaxed and recharged. A picnic lunch in the park is one of life’s best delights.

3. Plant a Garden Together

Planting a garden together is the perfect activity for strengthening your relationship. Gardening allows you to work together as a team and explore your creativity, setting aside time where it’s just the two of you amidst the beauty of Mother Nature.

By employing some connection science tools, couples can expand their conscious abilities into something much more dynamic when working with plants in their environment. You will get to practice patience and caring for something that needs attention and invest in an activity that rewards itself with tasty fruit, veggies, or vibrant flowers months later.

Moreover, by employing some connection science tools, couples can expand their conscious abilities into something much more dynamic when working with plants in their environment. You will get to practice patience and caring for something that needs attention and invest in an activity that rewards itself with tasty fruit like lemons, veggies, or vibrant flowers months later.

4. Camp in your Backyard

If a camping trip isn’t feasible, why set up the tent in your backyard and camp out for the night? It’s fun and easy and helps build strong bonds between family members. You can gaze up at the stars before bedtime, make s’mores over a roaring fire or tell ghost stories about werewolves and witches. Plus, kids experience the thrill of camping without leaving the comfort of their homes.   It’s an inexpensive way to have a nature adventure and connect — plus, you’ll be teaching your children about the great outdoors.

Of course, there are plenty of families that go on regular RV trips make camping part if their regular summers. In either case, the important part is regular planning to make it happen so that kids kids exposed to nature throughout their growing years.

5. Go on a Bug-Hunting Expedition

With a bug-hunting expedition, you can discover a new world of fascinating and tiny creatures. If you are curious about the insect community around you, donning your explorer cap and planning an expedition may be the thing for you. You’ll need to research what kind of bugs live in your habitat beforehand and what time of year they are most active. With that knowledge, it’s time to pack your bags with your magnifying glass, notebook, and camera before setting off on an up-close exploration game.

Private areas such as meadows, fields, and ponds act as ideal destinations if you’re daring enough – remember to respect the environment when you go. Soon enough, you’ll come across exoskeletons, wings, exciting colors, and shapes – there is a lot to appreciate in this mysterious world, and it may even spark a continuous future passion.

6. Learn About the Water Cycle by Doing Some Fun Experiments

Learning can be made fun and interesting with a few experiments. Kids, in particular, will love trying these interactive activities. You can explore the precipitation, condensation, and evaporation of water that make up the cycle with many easy-to-do experiments right in your home.

For example, you can observe condensation when you fill an old jar or bottle halfway with hot water and allow it to cool overnight. Not only will you observe droplets forming outside the container, but you’ll also notice that steam has converted into liquid molecules inside. Do some research and see what other experiments you can try – the combination of outdoors playtime activities and educational learning will please everyone.

There are many ways to get kids interested in nature, and these six activities are a great place to start. By getting outside and exploring together, you can spend quality time with your child while teaching them about the world around them. With a little creativity, spending time in nature can be fun for everyone involved.