Are your kids finding it hard to concentrate? Not just on homework, but on virtually anything? Welcome to planet distraction, where every age group is affected by 24/7 connectedness… where a device is always pinging, dinging or blaring content. Are there any solutions to help us focus in such an environment? –Actually, there are!

Should Kids Be Using Smartphones?

If So, From What Age?

Ask a group of parents what the appropriate age is for a child to begin using a cell phone and you will get a variety of impassioned responses. For some, it’s not until high school, whereas others see merit in having their child develop a relationship with technology earlier on. In any case, it’s not our job to tell you what devices to give your kids, but as soon as that Pandora’s box is opened, there’s no putting the genie back in the bottle… to mix metaphors.

When kids – hopefully at least teens at the youngest – begin engaging with social media, a phone or iPad or laptop can become an addictive problem. Have you ever tried taking away a 14-year-old’s phone for even a brief period such as dinner? For many parents, it’s a battle royale. Digital distractions are – for a great number of kids, especially teenagers – clearly affecting the quality and productivity of their lives – and that definitely includes the quality of their homework.

How to Use Tech Tools

Blocking Apps to Teach Focus:  For starters, eliminating digital distractions is key to help kids focus and build good study habits. Easier said than done as for one, the device may be needed for homework, and two, many young people say they’d rather go without food than without their phone and a Wi-Fi connection. We joke, but there is a solution to having a device, but not being distracted by it. Parents can quite easily learn how to block certain websites with a tech tool known as a blocking app. Now quite popular with office and home workers as well as college students, a blocking app syncs across all your devices and enables you to choose which sites to block at which specific times.

For example, a 14-year-old coming home from school at say 4:00 p.m. could have their phone and laptop set up so that social media sites are only available from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All of these blocking choices would be up to you – and hopefully made in consultation with your child. A child who is persuaded of the logic of blocking digital distractions during designated times for schoolwork is getting a great life lesson on self-control. Obviously, a blocking app also serves as a sentinel against adult sites or sites with violent content and other unwanted material. And… perhaps mom and dad might also want to use a blocking app to reduce notifications and set an example of not being addicted to smartphones during homework, dinner, and other family times.

Understanding How Brains Works Can Lead to Better Cooperation with Limits   

For kids old enough to understand, you might try explaining the science. Massachusetts Institute of Technology neuroscientist Professor Earl Miller told The Guardian, “Your brain can only produce one or two thoughts [at a time]. We’re very, very single-minded.” In other words, our conscious minds are only capable of holding very limited amounts of information. Our cognitive capacity is tiny. We think we can do two or more things at a time but this is false.

Instead, as neuroscientist Miller explains, “They’re switching back and forth. They don’t notice the switching because their brain sort of papers it over to give a seamless experience of consciousness, but what they’re actually doing is switching and reconfiguring their brain moment-to-moment, task-to-task – [and] that comes with a cost.” That cost is the ability to focus on a single task and as a result, a huge fall in productivity.

In addition to a blocking app, which works as a digital distraction filter, any expert will tell you that children need a routine; they actually appreciate you setting one for them, even though they often vehemently claim they do not. Setting up a specific time that is “homework time” and is always “homework time” creates a routine that stops any debates over when homework should be done. Homework is done during homework time. Period.

Tidy Workspace Equals a Clear Mind

While not feasible for all families because not everyone lives in a large house, having a designated workspace for your child is, of course, ideal. Even if your house is too small for a separate room, clearing off the kitchen table and making it as tidy as possible along with setting up homework equipment is a good idea, as designated homework spaces contribute to a feeling of order and routine. Tidiness is also essential. A clean working area helps create a clean working mind.

Taking Breaks is Essential:   Don’t forget breaks. The adage of ‘all work and no play’ being bad for students isn’t just a frivolous rhyme. The breaks don’t have to be lengthy and depending on the age of the child, perhaps even involve some sort of exercise. Brainpower is boosted by exercise so even a quick 5-minute “dance break” could be helpful.

Remind yourself that when kids are in school, they take their cues from classmates and perhaps sometimes teachers, but when doing homework at home you are the primary role model. You can demonstrate to them that you also do homework in your daily life. Explaining things such as a grocery list or some discussion at dinner on how you plan to organize a workday can instill the idea that everyone does ‘homework’ in their own way.

And finally, remember to tell your children that you’re proud of them whenever honestly possible. They need to know that their effort is appreciated and the simple phrase “I’m proud of you!” is a proven effective motivator.

Did you know that studies have shown that chewing gum improves focus and memory retention?  (of course, make sure it’s sugar free).  Read More

Is your teen ready for the freedom and responsibility of driving? Teens are more likely to crash than adults, as they have less experience behind the wheel and are more susceptible to peer pressure. Today, we’ll go through some ways you can help your teen become a safe driver.

Before Driver’s Ed and study guides, teaching your teen about cars and safe driving habits begins with you emulating them yourself.

Be the Driver You Want Them To Be

Be mindful of what you are showing them as okay to do when they drive- buckle up, don’t text and drive, don’t talk on their phone, watch the speed limits, and drive defensively. Also, take the time to explain to your teen why certain rules are so important as you drive.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes off the road, like texting, fiddling with the radio, or turning to talk to someone in the back seat. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration explains the risk of distracted driving by stating “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”

Because of this risk, many driver laws restrict teens from using phones or hands-free devices until they reach a certain point in their Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) program. But this is not enough to keep kids from using their phones while driving – the use of mobile phones is common, and the problem only seems to be increasing.

Make sure your teen knows how to pull over for urgent calls, refrain from distracting them as they drive, and make sure they are comfortable keeping their attention on the road before letting them drive unsupervised with friends. Also, be a good role model and don’t drive distracted yourself.

Teach them about Drugs and Alcohol

All 50 states have laws that require teens to have an absolute zero alcohol level in their blood when they are in a vehicle. Teach your teen about the dangers of drunk driving and the best ways to arrange for alternate transportation. Although you don’t believe it’s something your kid would do, you never know what might happen. Teens make mistakes and are susceptible to peer pressure. Remember, about 10,000 Americans lose their lives each year due to drunk driving, many of those teens.

In addition, it’s good to go through the effects of medicines and driving. Go through any medications they may take, such as allergy or cold medications, and explain that these can cause drowsiness and may need to be timed. If you don’t know the effects of their medications, you have the web readily available!

Consider the Use of Monitoring Tools

When you can’t be in the car with your teen, there are methods to monitor their driving at all times.  One way is through a parental control app that monitors driving through your teens phone.  These apps provide data on the use of the vehicle, including where it’s been and current location.  Other technology tool is the use of a GSP tracker, which is installed in the vehicle to monitor it’s use regardless of who the driver is.

Invest in Proper Driver’s Education

Driver’s education courses are designed to help teach your teen how to drive safely and follow your state laws. They help teenagers go through the Driver’s Handbook in an easy-to-understand format, which is very important when it later comes to driving. Make sure your teen takes a driver’s ed course even if your state does not mandate it for their permit and license.  You can also take this opportunity to teach them the basics of auto insurance and get them a learner’s permit insurance.

Remember, all drivers education it’s not good drivers education. Look for courses created by professionals or those that are taught by driving experts (generally the established sites), it will be worth the extra investment.

You should also make sure that your teen does at least a few online DMV practice tests like this one. These will help identify any weak areas that may have been overlooked in driver’s education.

Teach Them to Drive Under Many Circumstances

Once they have their permit, take them to drive in various weather conditions and times of the day.

• Help them troubleshoot how to deal with light in their eye.
• Point out safe places to stop if they get in wicked weather, need to answer a call, or find themselves drowsy driving.
• Coach them on driving speeds in rain and on highways.
• Have them park on hills.
• Explain the importance of adapting to the driving conditions and general guidelines for driving in poor weather conditions or at night.

When it’s time for your teen to drive alone, you want them to feel comfortable behind the wheel. Stress leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to accidents. Try to go through as many different situations as possible.

Make Sure They Buckle Up

According to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration, 45% of teens that died in road accidents in 2019 were not wearing a seatbelt. Seatbelts help save thousands of lives each year. If you don’t buckle up, even minor accidents can prove to be fatal.

Make sure to buckle up as soon as you get into the vehicle, no matter the distance of the trip. This will help create a strong habit that your teen will continue to follow.

The intellectual and neurological development of your child can be impacted by many things. Genetics, lifestyle, geographical influences, and even hormones can make a difference in how they grow.  But, nutrition can also play a major role. Physical wellness is crucial to intellectual growth, and that starts by eating a diet that stimulates development, rather than hinders it.

Most people understand the basics of healthy eating. But, you may not understand that certain foods are better than others for developmental health. It’s especially important to choose the right foods to keep your child healthy if they are dealing with nutritionally-based diseases, such as diabetes or prediabetes. Finding a balance between foods that will help their body while stimulating neuro-developmental growth.

In recent years, the popularity of overnight oats rocked the world of social media, with many celebrities and influencers swearing by its effectiveness in keeping them healthy and fit. A child can also take overnight oats, and to make it more fun and interesting to eat, check out blogs from sites like eatpropergood.com.

As for your tiny humans, as early as six months of age, they need to be given nutritious food to grow up healthy, smart, and agile. If you feel that this task is challenging, let sites like Proper Good help you. They help provide only nutrient-dense food to make your children happy, healthy, and creative.

Even if your child is the picture of perfect physical health, there are ways to manage their diet that will help to stimulate development and make getting through school easier for them. So, next time you get ready to make your grocery list, keep these ideas in mind.

Understanding “Brain Food”

The years your children are in school are crucial for their intellectual development. It begins even before that when kids are eating outside of the home in daycare.  The food they eat during these times need to function as fuel for their brain. We often think of food as fuel for the body, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s just as important to feed your child’s mental muscles as their physical ones.

Different foods work in a variety of ways to improve neuro-developmental growth. Some of the best “brain foods” to include in your child’s diet include:

• Eggs – Boost concentration
• Greek yogurt – Keeps brain cells strong so they can send/receive information efficiently
• Kale – Helps brain cells to grow
• Fish – The Vitamin D protects the brain from memory loss
• Apples – Boost energy naturally while fighting mental decline

As you can see, these are very basic ingredients, but they go a long way. You might have to get creative with some of the ways you cook and serve them. And, this list certainly isn’t exclusive. Things like nuts, seeds, oatmeal, and berries are also great brain food options. The more you research different foods, the easier it will be to incorporate ingredients your child already likes into their daily diet more frequently.

What’s great today is that there are a lot of online sources to help and guide parents in keeping their kids healthy through food.  There are videos, blog articles, podcasts, and educational social media channels to deliver the best information so that parents can be well-equipped on this matter.

Knowing What to Avoid

There aren’t necessarily any foods that need to be “off-limits” for your child. Building a healthy nutritional foundation for them lets them understand why healthy eating is important and can help them to turn it into a lifelong practice. That doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a piece of candy or a cookie sometimes. Deprivation rarely works in adult diets, and it can certainly be more difficult for kids.

But, that doesn’t mean those “treats” should be eaten regularly.

As you saw above, some foods can stimulate intellectual growth. As you might expect, some can hinder it. Some of the worst foods for brain health include:

• Sugary drinks and sodas
• Refined carbohydrates
• Highly processed foods
• Aspartame

Notice a pattern? The more process and filled with sugar something is, the worse it typically is for the brain. So, while you might think a sugary snack or energy drink will boost your child’s productivity, think again. They’ll be likely to “crash” later from the sugar, and if those are continued components of their diet, it could have long-term effects. Instead, introduce productivity-boosting foods like complex carbs, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins.

These worst kinds of food had been identified to aggravate the symptoms of depression. They can instantly boost serotonin and dopamine, but sadness and anxiety can ensue when the body consumes these chemicals.  This could be dangerous for a child growing up and can lead to severe obesity and eating disorders.

Healthy Eating Should Be Part of the Routine

While a diverse diet is a wonderful way to stimulate intellectual growth, it should only be one piece of the puzzle. When you make a healthy diet for a child part of their everyday routine, it becomes a handy component in their wellness toolbox. But, there are other “tools” in there that will make a big difference in their overall well-being and neuro-developmental growth, too.

Those components could be things like getting enough sleep each night, spending time with friends and family, and incorporating self-care into their everyday routine. Yes, kids need to practice self-care, too! It could be something as simple as taking a break in a quiet room or spending a few minutes outside to relax.

As a parent, this kind of routine will do several things for your child. First, it will provide them with a sense of comfort and familiarity. They’re less likely to be overwhelmed by stress, which can negatively impact their mental well-being.

A healthy routine will also set them up for positive lifelong habits. They’ll carry the basics of their routine with them well into adulthood, so you can feel confident that they will continue to value their mental and physical well-being throughout life.

There are plenty of healthy ways to feed your child. But, the next time you shop and prepare meals, keep more than just their physical health in mind. Start including ingredients that will stimulate their intellectual development, as well.

Faced with the new multidisciplinary challenges posed by the Information Society, education must continue to act as a guide so that children and young people can manage in an increasingly complex environment. And it is in this context where computational thinking, driven by the development of new digital tools, has become the backbone for the acquisition of valuable skills.

Therefore, today we want to make a practical approach to this concept through block programming, as it is an ideal option to develop some of these skills. This includes elements such as creativity or communication of ideas. It is also an enjoyable way for students to learn difficult concepts.

Block programming, from theory to practice in computational thinking

To facilitate the learning of computational thinking at an early age, it is advisable to develop its theoretical concepts through didactic activities. These serve to reinforce what has already been learned. ProFuturo’s resource ‘Introduction to block programming’ has been created and designed so that teachers can explore with their students the practical applications of this problem-solving methodology.

Starting from the base, programming is an instrumental competence that is linked to the cognitive ability that is computational thinking. For its development, codes are used that, correctly structured and organized, give rise to applications that have the ability to execute commands and carry out tasks.

However, these codes are written in specific complex languages that are difficult to assimilate. This is true especially in primary education, although fortunately we have the block methodology to iron out these edges.

The practical and fun solution to first steps in programming

Block programming compacts codes into logical and ordered sequences of instructions (blocks). It involves creating figures that represent individual events or functions. These figures possess the graphical capability to connect with each other, forming one or more logical sequences of actions. Consequently, this process results in the development of simple programs.

In this way, this methodology allows to handle, in a tangible and practical way, something as abstract as code.  It does it through fun and entertaining exercises that encourage further discovery.

This is something that students appreciate, because through this simple learning process they can see in real time the results of their work. It allows them to evaluate the incorporation of new parameters.  And for teachers, even in cases where they have little or no skills in the subject, they can easily assimilate the concepts of basic programming involved in this solution, as well as the core area of computational thinking that is explored with it.

ProFuturo’s lock training proposal consists of:

In its commitment to innovation and development processes in teaching, ProFuturo makes the resource ‘Introduction to block programming’ available to teachers.

Here are some of its key features that makes this unit unique:

It has been designed using the visual block language Scratch. This is specifically designed for children to learn to how to programme.

It also makes a small approximation to other options available in the market, such as Pocket Code and Blockly.

Its contents are aimed at students between the ages of 8 and 12, who have experience in the use of computers. These students also possess a basic knowledge of computer language, logical thinking and the use of programming in playful environments.

Its development is progressive.  It progresses step by step, from the basics to the approach of a final challenge. Students can put into practice everything they have learned about block programming through Scratch.

It provides the fundamental concepts of block programming from a fully creative approach.  It invites children and young people to make the animation of a character and encourages them to share their ideas using this simple language.

It generates memorable and fun experiences, which are a constant motivation to adequately face the resolution of problems that arise in class.

Not only does the training provide specific skills, it also sets goals to achieve transversal competencies that are basic for the personal and human development of the students.

In short, the unit ‘Introduction to block programming’ allows to take a step further in learning the keys to computational thinking. Its great advantage is that it simplifies the most complex programming concepts and frames them in a visual and attractive context, so that children feel stimulated when developing their skills.

Learning about Programming: The Complete Guide For Beginners