Category: Well-Being

Today’s children are using technology more than ever. According to the CDC, kids ages eight to eighteen average 7.5 hours of screen time each day. There are many potential benefits to screen time, but too much time can affect your child’s emotional state. Moderating and monitoring your child’s tech usage can ensure that they develop healthy self-esteem while online.

Let’s examine the impact of tech use on children’s confidence and explore strategies for parents to find a healthy balance.

The Pros and Cons of Tech Use Among Children

Technology is a double-edged sword for children. Children can gain valuable educational opportunities through online learning resources, educational video games, and interactive educational websites. Online math games or language learning apps can help kids build their skills in a fun, engaging way.

Similarly, multiplayer video games allow kids to socialize with their friends and make new connections. Children can collaborate and work towards a common goal in games, which aids in the development of problem-solving and communication skills. Playing video games has also shown improved decision making skills.

Technology can also offer children opportunities for creative expression. Digital creative tools to help them develop their creativity, self-expression, and technical skills. Furthermore, tech can be used to explore topics that children are passionate about, such as science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) subjects.

However, negative impacts from excessive screen time have affect a child’s physical and mental health. They may begin to choose online time over physical play, leading to obesity, poor posture, and fatigue.

Moreover, social media can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for children. They compare their lives to those they see online, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

How Tech Use Affects Children’s Confidence

Excessive screen time can have many negative effects on children’s mental health. When many children’s games and websites are designed to be addictive, reducing screen time may feel like an uphill battle. But here are a few reasons it is vital to do so.

For one, if your kids are spending most of their time in front of a screen, they are not able to practice their social skills like they would during face-to-face interactions. This can lead to increased social anxiety in offline settings and leave your child feeling less confident in themselves.

An over abundance of time spent online has also been linked to feelings of isolation and depression, which aren’t conducive to building healthy self-esteem.

Social Media and its Impact on Children’s Confidence

Social media can be one of the most significant factors impacting your child’s confidence. Children who spend multiple hours per day on social media may develop a distorted sense of reality, expecting their “behind the scenes” to look like a picture-perfect Instagram page.

Your children may also come across content they are not ready to handle while on social media. Many social media sites have inadequate content filters, and your young child could be exposed to adult content, cyberbullying, foul language, or other inappropriate sites. While there are ways to protect your child on social media, the chances of them stumbling upon unsafe content are high.

Children on social media also compare themselves to both their peers and online “influencers.” There is a significant link between juvenile social media use and body dysmorphia, as young girls feel the pressure to look like the edited photos they see online.

All these factors can inhibit a child’s ability to develop healthy self-esteem.

Balancing Tech Use and Building Confidence in Children

It’s essential that parents find a balance between tech use and empowering your child to develop authentic confidence. Here are some strategies to help:

Encourage Physical Activity

Physical activity can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase confidence. Encourage your child to participate in physical activities such as sports, dancing, or simply going for a walk. Even a ten-minute walk around the neighborhood after dinner can make a dramatic difference.

Monitor Screen Time

Set limits on your child’s screen time and stick to them. Install an app that stringently enforces screen time limits – and make sure the app cannot be uninstalled without it notifying you. Engage your child in other fun activities to keep them away from their device.

Foster Socialization

Encourage face-to-face communication with peers, family, and friends. This can help build social skills and increase confidence levels. Set up weekend play dates at the park or organize a backyard barbecue with neighborhood kids.

Introduce Technology Gradually

If you’re hesitant about giving your child unlimited access to social media, consider giving them a phone without social media access. This can help ease them into the world of technology without overwhelming them. Or you may consider restricting them to only using one social media app of their choice. This will help cut down on the hours it takes to interact on multiple social media avenues.

Practice Positive Reinforcement

Encourage your child’s interests and celebrate their successes – even if they use their devices to achieve them. If your child is proud of a piece of art they created on their tablet, share their enthusiasm! By being their biggest cheerleader, you help to build confidence and self-esteem.

The Recap

In a nutshell, monitoring your child’s tech use is job one. Secondly, work to find a balance between productive screen time and building their confidence levels IRL. Although technology can be a valuable tool, it should never replace face-to-face communication, physical activity, or other confidence-building activities. With these strategies, you can help your children build confidence while still enjoying the benefits of modern tech.

Team building activities are not just for adults, they can also be a valuable tool for children to learn important skills. Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership are the main benefits for those taking part in a team building event. These activities also encourage creativity while fun with peers.

Let’s explore four exciting and engaging team building activities for kids that are sure to create lasting memories and valuable learning experiences.

#1 Marshmallow Tower

This classic team building activity is a unique and captivating task requiring teamwork and creativity. Divide kids into teams and provide each group with a set of marshmallows and toothpicks. Their mission is to work together to build the tallest freestanding tower using only marshmallows and toothpicks. Set a time limit to increase the challenge. The team with the tallest tower when time runs out is proclaimed the winner. Learn more about this and other games by visiting https://www.eteambuilding.org.

#2 Egg Drop Challenge

The egg drop challenge is an enthralling team building activity that requires kids to use their critical thinking skills. The primary goal is to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Divide the kids into teams and provide them with materials, including straws, tape, paper, and cotton balls. Instruct them to design a protective container for the egg using these materials, and then drop the containers from a height. The team whose egg survives the drop without any cracks or breaks wins the challenge.

#3 Human Knot

Have kids form a circle and extend both of their arms towards the center. Direct them to grab the hands of two different people on the opposite side of the circle. Both their left and right hands should not be connected to someone that is directly standing beside them. The challenge is for everyone to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands. This activity requires communication, cooperation, and problem solving skills to untangle the human knot. It can also be a great icebreaker activity to promote bonding among any group, as well as providing a fun alternative to classroom learning.

#4 Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a is a popular team building activity that can be done at any location, indoors or out. Create a list of items for kids to find, either in a specific location or around the house or yard. Divide everyone into teams and provide them with the list. Instruct them to work together to find all the items within a specified time limit. The winning team is the one that finds all the items first or the most items after a specified time limit. Scavenger hunts especially promote communication as everyone is separating to find different items more quickly before other teams do.

Team Building Benefits for Life

There’s no better way to foster team building skills than organizing activities that are also a ton of fun. Kids will naturally work together, drawing from their own personal skills, and offering them in service of their team to win any game set before them. The skills developed by each child will serve them well into adulthood, whether they are playing sports or games, working to develop their career, or volunteering with others for a common goal.

Many things in life cannot be controlled, and death is one of them. Although death is a normal part of life, it’s a difficult topic to discuss, especially with kids who have recently lost someone dear to them. This could be a parent, grandparent, best friend, or pet.

As a teacher or caregiver, know that children react to loss in different ways depending on their age among other things like their personality and their relationship toward the person who died.

For instance, a younger child might mourn by throwing temper tantrums while an older child displays regressive behaviors like bedwetting. Some may even avoid school or get in trouble in school. While these are normal, it’s important to support them through this difficult time.

This article explores ways to help a child deal with their emotions healthily and move forward in life.

Welcome their questions

A child who lost a loved one may approach you with questions like… Where do people go when they did? Why did they have to die? Did it hurt? What is a funeral? Who will take care of me now? These questions are valid and they need to be answered in an authentic way, using language they can easily understand.

Have ongoing conversations about death instead of allowing for only one conversation and ignoring other questions. And while you provide them with reassurance, be careful to avoid making any promises you cannot keep.

Maintain their usual routine

Routines bring a sense of familiarity to a child’s life. It allows them to feel safe and in control. Losing a family member causes a disruption in their daily routine, including school, meal times, and bedtimes. If you’re having difficulty keeping their schedule consistent, don’t hesitate to ask for help from trusted friends and relatives.

What would also be extremely helpful is to explain to a child what to expect so they won’t get confused. You could, for example, tell them who will take them to school tomorrow (in case you can’t do it) or when the funeral will happen and the people who might attend the funeral.

Use resources to help them express themselves

Taking advantage of therapy tools, such as trauma worksheets and handouts, is an opportunity for a child to heal from a loss. This might be their very first time to experience losing someone or a pet, which makes these resources beneficial for processing what happened.

For example, one of our trauma worksheets called “My Trauma Story” lets kids share about an upsetting event. It asks about the emotions they felt and encourages them to explore healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, grounding, and positive self-talk.

Kids who are having frequent negative thoughts can find comfort in reciting realistic, encouraging statements like:

• What has happened to me does not define me.
• It’s okay that I feel this way. My feelings are allowed to be here.
• I can do things to help myself feel safe.

Reflect on happy memories

One of the ways people can move on from the pain of losing someone is through remembrance. It entails reflecting on and sharing the beautiful memories you’ve had with the person. This honors a person’s life and at the same time sparks positive emotions.

Turn this into a therapeutic activity by making something creative, like a scrapbook or memento of the child’s memories with their deceased loved one. It can be a collection of photos or objects (e.g. dried flowers or a piece of clothing that represents the loved one).

While completing the activity, they will be able to pour out their emotions. This is especially helpful for kids who won’t talk about their feelings yet.

Tip: Incorporate other activities that also relieve stress, such as yoga and scooter rides.

Consider grief therapy

This step is important because some children, unfortunately, find themselves struggling with the loss for a very long time. They may be feeling guilty and somehow responsible for the death even though they had nothing to do with it, or have had multiple traumas before the loss, which made them more anxious.

Watch out for warning signs that indicate the need for a child to receive grief therapy, such as being preoccupied with thoughts of the deceased loved one, changes in their personality, and losing interest in their hobbies and school.

Grief counseling comes in different forms like groups where they meet other kids, or individual therapy in which they speak privately with a counselor.

Wrapping It Up

Whether the loss of a loved one was sudden or not, children grieve in their own way. It’s normal for them to cry, regress, and worry a lot, but more importantly, we need to be there to help them cope and get professional help if necessary. Healing from grief takes time. Don’t hesitate to seek resources that will allow a child to make sense of their loss.

Related Resources

Helping your child move on after a friendship ends.

We’ve all reached a stage where we sit and ask ourselves: Why do I talk to stuffed animals? Well, who won’t judge or interrupt you if you are feeling lonely or stressed or wish for someone to talk to? Do I have a solution for you?

Talking to stuffed animals is an excellent idea!

I know, I know. You might be thinking, “Come on, I’m an adult, and why would I talk to a stuffed animal?” But hear me out! Talking to stuffed animals is for more than just kids, it can also be incredibly beneficial for adults.

Benefits of Talking to Stuffed Animals 

First, talking to a stuffed animal is a great way to relieve stress, and you can pour out your worries and frustrations to your fluffy friend without fear of judgment or interruption. Plus, their soft and cuddly exterior can be incredibly soothing to hold onto when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

But it’s not just about stress relief.

Talking to stuffed animals can also help improve your communication skills. Think about it – if you can talk to a stuffed animal, you can talk to anyone! Practice articulating your thoughts and feelings to your stuffed buddy; before you know it, you’ll be a communication master.

And let’s remember the nostalgia factor. I don’t know about you, but thinking about my childhood stuffed animals always makes me smile. So why tap into that happy nostalgia and chat with your old friends every once in a while?

Listen up, folks! I’m not just spouting off nonsense here – there’s actual science to back up the benefits of talking to stuffed animals. For instance, a fancy-pants study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology showed that chatting with a stuffed animal can help little tykes develop empathy and social skills. And if it’s good enough for the kiddos, why not for us grown-ups?

So don’t be shy – grab your trusty stuffed animal and give it a good old squeeze. Share all your juicy secrets and worries with it. No judgment here! And if anyone raises an eyebrow at your new habit, tell them ScienceScience gave you the green light. Because who needs other humans when you’ve got a fluffy confidant by your side?

3 Reasons Why Talking to your Plushie is a Good Idea

Stuffed animals don’t expect anything from us

There is always a chance that those we confide in will hold our secrets against us or use them against us in the future. But, there is no risk when we confess to a stuffed animal because they have no expectations. It can be wonderfully liberating to be able to tell them anything and anything without fear of their using it against us, la.

We’re always young enough to need connections

All of us, even adults, requires connections, and we need others with whom we can communicate our ideas, emotions, and experiences. Occasionally, those humans are just stuffed animals. Talking to stuffed animals allows some people to handle their emotions without upsetting others and could be a means of feeling less isolated. In either case, it’s natural.

Stuffed animals don’t expect anything from us

There is always a chance that those we confide in will hold our secrets against us or use them against us in the future. But, there is no risk when we confess to a stuffed animal because they have no expectations. It can be wonderfully liberating to be able to tell them anything and anything without fear of their using it against us later.

How Do Plushies Comfort You? 

You’ll have to concede that teddy bears and comfort go hand in hand. According to Dr. Aniko Dunn, stuffed animals are recommended for people with bipolar, PTSD, and other mental problems. If they feel safe and protected, everyone may relax.

The teddy bear provides people with a physically calming element in their lives in a similar way that live animals ease anxiety and aids in their adjustment to foreign environments.

Like when you were younger, sleeping with a teddy bear is still a widespread behavior as an adult, and it shouldn’t strike responsible adults carrying stuffed animals as weird.

You might be interested in learning more about the benefits of sleeping with a stuffed animal. Clearly state this:

Flows oxytocin

Oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes and calms our minds, is released when we snuggle anything exceptionally soft and comforting.

Decreased loneliness 

By using a teddy bear as a pillow when things are tough. It removes loneliness and isolation from our lives and fills the hole caused by a lack of social interaction.

We only need someone to listen to us when we’re in need since we’re a social species. By giving and caring, we restore our general mental health and become sane. The same condition is met by the teddy bear, improving mental health.

Makes it easier to go through sadness 

Grief is a human trait that comes with being a person. Teddy bears encourage us during our times of sadness and offer ongoing consolation without casting judgment.

We hope you understand why stuffed animals can also be excellent adult buddies. We may all benefit from warmth, compassion, and comfort at any point in our lives.

In conclusion, Talking To Your Stuffed Animals Is Very Natural, Whether You’re Pouring Your Heart Out To Them After A Difficult Day Or Asking Advice From Them About A Love Problem.

This is why:

• We never outgrow the need for relationships.
• Stuffed animals offer impartial support.
• They don’t have any expectations of us.

So feel free to share your deepest feelings with them—they are willing to listen!