The advent of handheld tech devices, such as smartphones, has made technology integral to human life. The increased adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), on the other hand, has enabled digital devices to interconnect and communicate over the internet.  These tech developments have had a huge impact on modern parenting.

Keeping your children safe is a lot easier now thanks to technology.

1.  Enhanced security and safety

• Location tracking apps tell you where your child is, any time of the day.

• Smart home security cameras allow you to keep an eye on your home even when you’re away at work.

• Secure cloud storage to keep you data safe.  Backing up and syncing your digital possessions also ensures precious pictures of your family are never lost.

• Motion sensors can tell you when something is amiss in the house, e.g. if your child slips and falls.

• Ambient sensing technology enables you to track the ambiance (pressure, temperature, air quality, etc.) in your home to ensure that your kids are safe.

• Geofencing allows you to create virtual geographic boundaries for your child, so you get alerted whenever the child crosses any of those boundaries.

• Automated alarm systems can alert the relevant authorities in case of a break-in or a fire.

• Digital video baby monitors give you a secure private connection with your baby even when you’re at work.

 2.  Better access to parenting tips and support

If you have any questions about parenting, you can always trust the internet to provide the answers. You can get answers from blogs, YouTube videos, or research articles written by parenting experts. There also exists parenting forums on the internet where you can get peer support from other parents around the world.

Here’s something you’ll like: there are online tools for verifying parenting information you get either offline or on the internet. You can learn more about double-checking the suitability of medications prescribed for your kids by a doctor. This way you ensure that your kids get the medications they need, whenever they need them, and with the accuracy that medical care demands.

3.  Keeping families connected

Busy parents on the move have to work and kids have to go to school. This makes face-to-face interactions in the family unit scarce and far between. Video calling technology is knitting the family unit back together by enabling parents and their kids to “meet” virtually during the day. Not even geographical boundaries can stand in the way of family unity now. Technology has also made it possible for kids to learn from home and parents to work from home. It’s now possible to be a stay-at-home mom or dad and still earn a decent income through freelancing jobs.

4. Fitness Tech

From smart exercise equipment, virtual reality and wellness apps, fitness has gone high tech to provide all the tools your family needs to stay healthy.  Just as learning apps engage kids to learn while having fun, interactive games also incorporate fitness to keep kids on their feet and active instead of sitting in front of a stationary screen for hours.  For the utmost digital experience for your kids, you can consider an Apple Watch or a fitness tracker to enrich their fitness journey.

5. Capturing, storing, accessing, and sharing memories

Smartphones come with advanced cameras, photo editing features, and photo-sharing apps that allow you to document your kid’s life for free. What’s more, cloud storage makes it possible to store and preserve videos/photos eternally. You can access memories stored on the cloud on any device, at any time, and from anywhere on the planet. You don’t need to worry that your phone might get lost with all your valuable memories in it.

6.  Quality family time

Modern gaming apps and consoles allow you to co-play video games with your kid without necessarily being in the same room. You can even play with him/her when stuck in traffic. Video games give you a chance to bond with your kid as you teach him/her good sportsmanship, gaming etiquette, and other life lessons.

Technology has also birthed video streaming services and affordable home theater equipment. You now don’t have to depend on theaters for movies; you can snuggle up with your kid in your home theater as you stream your favorite family movie.

Managing Technology for Desirable Parenting

Excessive use of tech devices can be unhealthy. Children who spend too much time watching TV or playing video games are at risk of developing behavioral and learning difficulties. Unregulated screen time can also lead to obesity due to insufficient physical exercise.

Thankfully, technology gives parents all the tools they need to monitor and regulate their kids’ screen time. You can, for example:

• Schedule screen time using a device management app. You can limit your kid’s screen time for a healthier routine (pediatricians recommend at most an hour daily for kids between 2-5 years). Once the scheduled time elapses, the device locks itself automatically.

• Monitoring device activities using a phone monitoring app. On top of limiting a kid’s screen time, it is also possible to monitor what the kid does on the internet. You get notified when the child downloads an app or joins a platform he/she shouldn’t join. That keeps the child safe from data spies, cyberbullies, and other harmful aspects of technology.

• Installing educational apps. These apps are fun and engaging. They give the kid something constructive to do as opposed to wasting time on undesirable apps.

• Multiple device control technology allows multiple caregivers to monitor what a child does on his/her device. With more eyes on the ball, there’s almost no chance of anything going wrong.

Final word

We’re living in a technology-saturated era; your child will interact with technology one way or the other with or without your approval. Taking a proactive role in the child’s tech life allows you to take charge and strike the right balance of screen time. Remember to encourage the child to exercise and socialize. Over to you, mums and dads!

In today’s high-tech world, kids must have access to computers and other electronic devices in the classroom to have a solid foundation in learning fundamentals. While technology has the potential to benefit students’ educational experiences greatly, teachers may need help to introduce new technologies to their younger children.

Introducing new learning tools to young pupils requires careful planning and execution on the part of educators. This ensures that it’s utilized responsibly and efficiently.

Assemble and Make Arrangements

Be Familiar with the Course Objectives

Teachers need to know what they want to accomplish with their pupils’ newfound access to technology before they introduce it to them. It is vital to choose resources that complement the curriculum and contribute to the learning objectives. Teachers should consider their pupils’ ages and skill levels while deciding on technical resources.

Make a Strategy for Your Technological Needs

Successfully introducing technology to young pupils requires educators to develop an implementation strategy. The learning objectives, the resources, and the method of incorporating them into the curriculum should all be outlined before proceeding.

Teachers must also consider the hardware, software, and other infrastructure components to make their technology strategy a reality.

Preparing Educators and Learners

Successfully incorporating technology into the classroom relies heavily on training both instructors and students. Teachers need instruction in the appropriate use of technology and its incorporation into lesson plans.

Educators also need instruction in the proper use of classroom management software and the proper use of other technological resources. Making sure that teachers and students have access to continuing assistance and training for classroom technology is essential.

Provide a Safe Zone for Technology Implementation

Use Just a Selected Few Technologies at First

It’s important to introduce new technologies gradually, especially to younger pupils, so they don’t get confused by the plethora of options. Teachers should first offer a few technological resources until they see how kids respond. This method will aid pupils in overcoming any initial anxiety they may have about utilizing new technologies.

Establish Objective Standards

To avoid inappropriate use of technology and to guarantee that it is utilized responsibly, it is crucial to establish clear expectations and rules for its usage. Rules for tech usage, such as when it is okay to use it, how to use it responsibly, and how to deal with technological challenges, should be established by educators. Students should be made aware of and held to these standards consistently.

Monitor Usage

Teachers should keep an eye on their pupils’ digital activities to ensure they follow classroom standards. Keeping tabs on how people use technology may point out any issues and provide valuable suggestions for improvement. Effective classroom management software may let teachers keep tabs on students’ digital activities and provide instantaneous critiques.

Encourage Student Engagement in the Classroom

Use Technology to Enhance Learning

Technological tools may greatly facilitate children’s learning, and they can be actively engaged. Teachers should take advantage of technological resources that encourage pupils to study through various methods and approaches.

For instance, with the use of interactive whiteboards, teachers may design exciting classes that include media and student participation.

Foster Cooperation and Conversation

Students’ ability to work together and share knowledge via digital means has the potential to improve both their academic performance and their social development. Collaborative learning is encouraged in the classroom via the use of technological resources like online discussion forums and group projects.

By sharing quality materials, students in different classrooms may benefit from and contribute to one another’s education.

Allow Room for Imagination

Students can use technology to learn how to articulate their ideas and work through problems innovatively. Tools like digital storytelling and multimedia presentations may help teachers foster students’ imaginations and spark new ways of thinking in the classroom. Students may develop their critical reasoning and communication skills while exercising their creativity with these tools.

Conclusion

Planning and executing the introduction of anything new to young pupils is a delicate balancing act. Teachers may effectively integrate technology into the classroom if they first identify learning objectives, develop a technology strategy, and encourage student engagement.

Effective use of technology in the classroom can significantly improve instruction and better prepare students for life in the information age.

Finals week is one of the most stressful times for college students. As a parent, watching your child navigate the pressures of studying for multiple exams, completing assignments, and managing their time is hard. However, you can support your college student during this crucial time in many ways.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips from Dennis Bonnen on supporting your college student during finals week. By following these tips, you can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety your student may be feeling and provide them with the support they need to thrive during this challenging time.

Encourage Self-Care

Encouraging self-care is one of the ways to support your college student during finals week. Finals week is considered a busy time for students. It is a time when students neglect their physical and mental health to study more. However, taking care of oneself is crucial during this time. Encourage your student to take breaks, get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. The result of self-care includes reducing stress and anxiety and increasing overall well-being.

Offer Emotional Support

Finals week can be a time of heightened emotions for students. They may feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or even depressed. As a parent, offering emotional support during this time is essential. Listen to your student’s concerns and offer words of encouragement. Say encouraging words, including “You believe in them” and “You’re proud of their hard work.” You can also send care packages or small gifts to show your support and boost their spirits.

Help with Time Management

Managing time is crucial during finals week. Your student may have multiple exams, papers, and projects due simultaneously, together with studying for the final exams. As a result, prioritizing and managing their time is effectively challenging. Offer to help your student create a study schedule or to-do list to help them stay organized and focused. You can also help them break assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Provide Distraction-free Environment

Studying in a noisy or distracting environment can make it difficult for students to focus and retain information. Provide a distraction-free environment for learning. With the proliferation of technology and social media, finding a quiet and focused space to study can be challenging. If your student lives at home, ensure a quiet area to do their review. If they live in a dorm or apartment, suggest they check in the library or find a quiet coffee shop nearby.

Offer to Proofread Paper

Writing papers can be a time-consuming and challenging task for students. Offer to proofread your student’s papers for grammar and spelling errors. You can also offer suggestions for improvement and provide feedback on the content of their papers.

Encourage Proper Sleep

Sleep is especially important for students who are still growing and relying on their brain power to learn. Unfortunately, it’s common for students to sacrifice sleep in favor of late-night studying during finals week.  Optimising sleep is not only vital for overall well-being throughout academic life, a quality sleep routine should be prioritized during peak times of stress as well.

Provide Health Snacks and Meals

Eating healthy can help students feel more energized and focused during finals week. Provide your student with healthy snacks and meals to help them stay nourished and focused. You can also offer to cook them a meal or bring them food from their favorite restaurant.

Celebrate When it’s Over

When finals week is over, it’s important to celebrate your student’s hard work and accomplishments. Plan a special dinner or outing to celebrate their success. Remind them that you appreciate their hard work.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, supporting your college student during finals week can be a challenging but rewarding experience. You can support your student during this critical time by encouraging self-care, offering emotional support, helping with time management, providing a distraction-free environment, offering to proofread papers, providing healthy snacks and meals, and celebrating their success.

By following these tips from Dennis Bonnen, you can help your student succeed academically and emotionally during finals week and beyond.

Sunny days can be a wonderful time for fun outdoor activities, especially for kids. While sunny days can be fun, ensuring safety when kids are out playing is vital. Sun safety for kids prevents the effects of excessive sun exposure.  Read on to learn how to protect your kids from these effects and protect them from possible sun hazards.

UV Rays and Kids

Generally, we know that excessive exposure to sun rays poses a great risk to your skin health. You could be exposed to UV rays that could impact your skin significantly. And it is critical for everyone to protect vision from UV rays. For kids, the sun effects are worse. Their skin is highly vulnerable to these rays as it is still developing. UV rays can increase your child’s skin cancer risk and cause skin burns.

Therefore, it is vital to reduce kids’ exposure to sun rays. When your child is outdoors playing in the sunshine, always protecting their eyes and skin is vital. This helps prevent skin damage that affects your child’s skin. Excessive exposure to sunshine can also lead to eye injuries.

How to Protect Your Kids from the Sun

The sun can damage your kid’s skin and trigger conditions like skin cancer. Thankfully, you can protect your kids from the sun in several ways. Here are ways you can do so.

Protect Your Child With Clothes

One of the best ways to protect your child is to cover them up. It is crucial to dress up your child in thick clothes that protect against sun rays. To check if the clothes provide enough protection, put your hand inside the clothes and ensure you cannot see your hand through them. You can also get kid clothes with an ultraviolet protection factor. These clothes have labels showing they can protect against the sun; therefore, be sure to check them.

Since kids with lighter skin can burn easily, always dress them in protective clothing. You should also reduce their exposure to sunlight as much as possible. If your kid wants to play in the sun, dress them in protective clothing covering most body parts. Doing so, you help reduce their exposure to sensitive and harmful sun rays.

Encourage Wearing a Hat

You can also protect your child from the sun by encouraging them to wear a hat. While clothes play an excellent role in protecting your kid from sun exposure, they don’t cover some parts of the body. A hat covers the head and helps keep your baby secure. Use a hat with a brim all the way around covering your child’s ears, face, and neck. It is best to go for tightly woven fabric that protects the skin from UV rays. Light hats with holes in them are not ideal for this purpose. Instead, go for hats that protect against UV rays and their effects. Explore a variety of protective hats at 4inbandana to ensure your child stays safe under the sun.

Use Broad-Spectrum SPFs

You can use sunscreens to protect your kid from the sun. It is crucial to know that not all sunscreens are ideal for children. Only use broad-spectrum SPFs on your kids to protect them from the sun. If you want to identify a broad-spectrum SPF, look at the label. This type of sunscreen is ideal because it protects against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

This sunscreen will not harm your child. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects the skin by creating a chemical barrier that reflects or absorbs UV radiation. This is done before the UV rays cause any damage to the skin.

Choose Quality Sunglasses

Sunglasses can also protect your kids from the sun. They protect the eyes from UV rays and reduce the threat of cataracts. Additionally, your kids wearing sunglasses will protect the tender skin around their eyes from exposure to sunlight. For the best protection, you should go for sunglasses that can protect you from UVB and UVA rays.

Thankfully, most sunglasses sold in the country meet this standard. If your kids engage in outdoor activities, go for wrap-around sunglasses blocking UV rays. You can also stick to these sunglasses whenever your kids are in the sun.

Make Sure Your Kids Are Hydrated

When your body is well hydrated, the sun will have minimal effects on your skin. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your kids are hydrated at all times. Let them drink as much water as possible when playing in the sun. Combining this tip with other protective measures will reduce the effects of sun rays. It also helps keep the skin clear.

Set a Good Example

Kids tend to imitate things they see and hear. As a parent, set a good example for your kids. Always wear your hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing when out in the sun. Let your kids know the importance of these measures and the dangers of not doing so. Setting a good example is a reliable way of protecting your kids from the sun.

Safety Tips for Schools

Kids spend most of their time at school. This is why schools must have safety measures. There are several ways schools can protect kids from the sun. For instance, they should encourage kids to wear sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen when playing outdoors. They should also avoid scheduling outdoor activities when the sun is strongest.

More Protection Facts and Tips

Here are more sun safety protection facts and tips you should consider.

• At the Beach – It is vital to use wrap-around sunglasses while at the beach to prevent UV rays from penetrating from the side.
• In the Snow – Ensure your kid wears heavy, protective clothing when out in the snow. You should ensure they have protective headgear at all times.
• In the Car – Car windshields are designed to protect against sun rays. If your kid is in the car, ensure the windows are always up.

Conclusion

It is crucial to protect your kids from the sun. While playing outdoors is fun and exciting for kids, sun rays can be damaging. Use these tips to keep your child safe and with healthy skin. Let them wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats that provide the protection needed.