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

For 60% of Americans, the traditional education system is not up to snuff.  When asked why, students and parents alike couple grim statistics with their own personal experiences.  More than 6 million students are “chronically absent” from school in the US each year. Teenagers are 5 times more likely to suffer from a mental illness now than in prior generations.

Furthermore, many high school students believe their schools value grades more than learning, as they say most students end up cheating at some point.  A study at Queen’s University suggests that grade obsession is detrimental.  Radical change needs to happen in the school system.  And it has, just not for the reasons reformers expected.

In an effort to slow the spread of this decade’s pandemic, millions of students were forced into online learning for the first time.  Schools of all types were going in and out of the virtual format in an ad hoc manner.  Despite the frustration caused by switching around, 57% of students feel more positively about online learning than they did before it was the only option.  Imagine what a planned, professionally designed virtual school environment can do for children.

Could Virtual Schools Be The Future of Education?

For some students, yes.  Families all over the nation are turning to online education because it offers more flexible schedules, a safer environment, and more chances for family involvement in their child’s education.  Flexibility is a great thing for students because it allows them to be treated like individuals, something large school districts struggle to do.

Online school has lower incidences of bullying than in-person school does.  Furthermore, online school is time effective.  Online learning can cover the same material in 40% to 60% less time than traditional school formats.  A virtual student in school for the same amount of time could potentially learn twice as much.

Redesigning Education to Provide Effective Options

Moreover, virtual school is a chance to design education for the 21st century.  Traditional school settings value compliance and uniformity while the modern workforce wants to see people exhibit innovation, creativity, and initiative.  Individuals who take more initiative in their own learning are more successful in our rapidly changing technological world.

Online school is a chance to create better learning formats, such as a project based curriculum with greater focus on the student’s goals and needs.  Traditional grading scales can be replaced with self-evaluation and more descriptive forms of teacher feedback.  New options arise thanks to online schooling.

This infographic provides a snapshot of the the future of school may look like:

What will life be like in the future?  Read about technology of the future.

For kids, games come in all shapes and sizes; from video games to board games, it’s easy to get lost in the world of play. And who can blame them? Kids are born with an innate sense of curiosity that makes them eager for new experiences and learning opportunities.

The younger generation is already ahead when it comes to technology; they’re familiar with smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., because these devices are now part of their daily lives. Smartphones make access to information possible at any moment or place, but this also means kids (and adults) spend more time indoors than ever before.

Storytelling and Technology

Technology is meant to be used as a tool for work and entertainment, but too much screen time has the opposite effect – one becomes less motivated and less willing to explore the great outdoors. Besides, the internet is a massive source of information, so why even leave the house when you have Google at your fingertips?

There are lots of articles out there about how technology is ruining our kids’ creativity, but here’s an important aside: it’s not just the internet’s fault. The world needs creative individuals who are motivated to create and share their ideas with others. Perhaps one of the most important contributions you can make is ensure internet safety for your young one.

It’s for the concerns surrounding technology that makes storytelling so powerful; it activates imagination, helps children make sense of the world, and encourages them to seek out new experiences. Storytelling can never be fully replaced by technology because words can capture the most profound imaginations through sensory immersion. According to the reviews of profs, who know how to motivate students during distance learning, the younger generation may not be playing board games with actual cards or chess pieces to learn, but they’re still able to become engaged in interactive storytelling through apps.

Structured Play and Online Games

Since storytelling has an influence on social development, kids who play online games tend to have greater cognitive skills than those who don’t – gamers excel at strategic thinking, problem-solving, imagining alternative endings and other creative abilities that build after a child begins to construct a more thorough understanding of the world around them.

Unstructured play allows children to learn by exploring, and storytelling which is an effective window into this type of self-expression. It encourages kids to investigate their surroundings from a different perspective, often becoming motivated by the desire to live vicariously through their favorite characters. However, it’s important not to underestimate the value of educational content in online games for younger audiences; it provides information on subjects like having greater cognitive skills and math skills, science facts while promoting logical thinking and creative problem-solving.

While parents may cringe at some mobile games that don’t offer much educational value, there are many apps that provide a balance between fun and fundamental learning principles that help young children grow into well-rounded adults. Kids are born with a desire to explore the world, so it’s up to us as parents and educators to encourage this tendency through storytelling produced by professional content creators.

What Parents Should Know about Telling Stories

Kids love to be entertained, which is why they go crazy for TV shows and video games. They want their eyes and ears to be stimulated, and it’s up to parents and educators to choose content that matches with educational goals and fosters healthy habits. Kids shouldn’t spend all their time with technology; it needs to be used as a tool for learning, just like books or any other form of storytelling. There are many benefits of telling stories instead of simply reading to them, such as:

• Interactive dialogue encourages kids not only to listen but also to respond in some way: Words have the ability to capture imaginations, but kids also need a voice to make sense of their thoughts and emotions.

• Interactive dialogue encourages problem-solving: When characters come across an obstacle in a story, kids are motivated by the desire to help them succeed. This is how a child begins to learn problem-solving skills at a young age.

• Interactive dialogue motivates kids to explore worlds beyond this one: Being able to explore new environments through stories allows children’s imaginations to run wild. Their physical surroundings no longer limit them; they become more willing to leave the comfort of home because it means learning about something special or discovering something hidden from plain view.

Storytelling about the child’s ancestors can also be a great way to engage connect them with their own past as they learn where they came from.

How to Use Online Games with Kids for Storytelling

Making up stories allows kids to explore their own creativity while learning about the world around them. On top of that, creating content themselves helps children find better ways to express themselves; this is why apps which provide interactive platforms for young writers are so popular. There are many benefits to collaborative storytelling, such as:

• Kids get a chance to publicly show off their work. This motivates them to write and share their stories with others in a safe and encouraging environment.

• Kids learn the importance of sharing ideas while building relationships with peers who have similar interests. Collaborative storytelling can be an excellent way for children to learn social skills at a young age, especially if they’re struggling with understanding how interacting with other people works.

• Collaborative storytelling is less intimidating since it provides more of an opportunity for kids to express themselves creatively without pressure from outside sources. In this case, parents shouldn’t feel the need to step in every so often because there’s no expectation of high standards or serious criticism.

• Kids learn about story arcs and character development while encouraging one another’s work. They help each other grow, which is why collaborative storytelling has the power to transform little writers into powerful communicators as they mature.

When it comes to choosing storytelling devices that encourage young children to use their imaginations and follow their creative impulses, parents should focus more on building a safe environment. The environments should allow the kids to thrive instead of analyzing every single detail of what their child creates with the app.

Parents Can Be Kid Content Creators Too

Since storytelling is an important part of childhood development, parents should feel encouraged to create content that helps cultivate life skills and develop ideas about science and math. This isn’t just for entertainment; stories come with valuable lessons that teach children how the world works, like:

• The idea is that everything they do has an impact on others (and vice versa). Stories help kids understand how their actions affect other people’s lives; this is why young children are encouraged to share their work with each other instead of keeping it all to themselves.

• Every single person has their own perspective on the world around them. Every story teaches kids there are multiple ways of seeing things depending on who’s looking at the situation. This helps them establish empathy for others by understanding where they’re coming from and what they experience on a daily basis.

• Being able to think critically about what they see in stories builds problem-solving skills as well as analytical thinking. Kids can consider alternate scenarios and explore the many ways of seeing a story from unique angles.

Final Thoughts

Parents should encourage their children to be creative, but it’s also important for parents not to stifle their kids’ imaginations by constantly questioning them about what they’re writing or drawing. For example, don’t ask why a child drew a certain picture because you might get an answer that triggers more questions until the original purpose has been completely forgotten. Never criticize or give your opinion unless it’s absolutely necessary; simply say something like, “I’m happy to help if you need any ideas,” and let your child do all the thinking while guiding conversation where necessary.

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.

One way to help them understand the seriousness of impaired driving is to explain what a DUI screening involves and how it can affect a person’s record, insurance rates, and future opportunities.

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.