Now for the first installment on that series of articles I mentioned about screen time for young children. Today I will focus on how using screen based learning opportunities can help young children- the "ins" of screen time for young children. BTW- if you have a moment, please respond to the screen time poll to your right.
Knowing what the "ins" are for screen time and young children (ages 0-8) is tricky. Besides TV, computer/video games didn't enter my home until I was 10, the age my son is now. (Dark Castle on the MacPlus, anyone)? I know that I enjoyed playing video games and reaching the elusive "end" of the game. My brother and I would have "friendly" competition to see who could beat the game first, (Super Mario- 1-3). We share simpatico to this day involving the goal setting and surmountable challenges posed by early video games. My brother and I both have wicked hand eye coordination and ability to problem solve with trial and error. (Thanks Mario and Luigi)! We otherwise are high functioning humans (both valedictorians and hold Master's degrees), but how much did video games actually have to do with that?
Spending a couple of hours on video games a day at age 10 was one thing, but what about children in those sensitive developmental years, particularly ages 0-8? Nowadays, 5-year-olds who play Minecraft are not hard to find. I haven't watched PBS Kids with my son for a while, a time-tested, excellent screen based learning opportunity in its own right, but at the time ABCMouse was running infomercial after infomercial about their early learning software, featuring 2-year-olds who had learned to read. What will this mean for our future?
Because technology has developed so quickly, it's not surprising it has made its way into early learning classrooms as well. For instance, when I taught Kindergarten, I would use and recommend that parents use the BOB book app. I'll admit it, I loved everything about BOB books- the app as well. Besides that, however, I didn't have a computer in the classroom or a computer lab at my school for general student use. Time spent working in schools as a music teacher/early childhood assistant meant seeing the occasional computer learning station, and computer lab, but not much more than that. Most of my work was for private preschool and K-8 schools, however.
Sending my son to public school Kindergarten - 2nd grade meant getting codes for RAZ Kids and Dreambox. Students used the apps twice weekly in the computer lab. At age 10, my son is both reading and doing math above his grade level- doing great academically. However, so was I at his age, and I didn't have any of that. Somewhat based on data gleaned from these two apps, along with some assessments taken on the computer, teachers were able to determine his reading and math level, and give him supplemental help if needed. I can tell you for sure from some of the research I have done for my Technology for Leaders of Learning class that schools nowadays can store and track student data more than ever- using learning management systems to mark the upward trends created by being more responsive to student needs.
Let try to summarize the "ins" of screen time for young children then, shall we? First, they are a bit of an enigma. It's not easy to give a personal opinion because not only did most parents not have the same type of screen based learning opportunities that their young children do, they haven't been around long enough to really show their long term effects. Learning apps seem to help teachers know how to help students better, which in turn drives student achievement, definitely an "in." Hand-eye coordination, problem solving, creativity- these are skills children can develop on a wide variety of early learning apps. Let's not forget kid friendly TV for early learning, such as PBS Kids. And yes, a 2-year-old can even learn to read and practice basic math skills with software like ABCMouse. That's pretty good, isn't it? Or is it? Tomorrow, I'll write a bit about the "outs" of screen time for young children, in search of a happy medium of course. Stay tuned!
Check out these blogs for more info on screen time for young children:
DigiParenthood
Fred Rogers Center Blog
Jump in for Healthy Kids
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Self Care for Parents of Young Children
I'm writing this article today as an advocate for new parents. I know how hard it can be- I became a single parent when my son was just about a year old, and I struggled with health issues throughout his early childhood. However, I persevered and got through it with a little help from my friends, family, and doctors- all of whom helped me care for myself as much as I did my son.
I know that self care can be elusive in the midst of caring for a young child. Being a parent can be very demanding of our time, energy, and patience, and can seem like there is no time left for anything else. It's pretty crucial that we do take some time for self care, however- we're able to do much more as parents if we aren't constantly fatigued or sick. Here are some ways to incorporate self care in your busy schedule.
Early Bedtime- For them, not you. My son was in bed from 7-8pm each day. (He also woke up at 7am each day). Having that time at night to myself was really what kept me going the most. This was the time I had to catch up on the things I wasn't able to get to during the day, as well as to relax a bit- finally.
Exercise- This is something you can definitely incorporate during the day- I used to walk or hike with my son (in a stroller or carrier- or with him toddling along) daily. Another way you could do this is find a gym with a childcare room. This might be difficult if your young one gets upset separating from you, however.
Find your community- If you can help it at all, try not to be alone with your kids all day. Everyone needs help from time to time, whether it's with childcare or with moral support- both are pretty important. Social media can be good for moral support, but it really can't take the place of spending time with other people in person. There are lots of ways to do this- for us it was playgroups, moving closer to family, being a part of an early childhood education community, and getting out to activities and places for young ones as much as possible.
Find a confidant- Please also don't hesitate to set up counseling for yourself- no matter what your income level is, there is always a trained professional to talk to. This can often be a better option than talking to family or friends. It's just the way our brain works- it often takes an objective person to be the sounding board we need to move past what may be in the way of our ability to be at peace with ourselves. It goes without saying that we are then able to pass on that inner peace to our children. Call 211 or visit 211.org to find counseling services near you.
Do what you enjoy- Take that precious time you have to yourself to treat yourself. Nuff said!
Hopefully this article, if not offering you new information, will inspire you to be sure to incorporate some time for self care daily. I need to remind myself of that as well! Here in Maryland, school starts the day after Labor Day. Even though my son will be turning 10 this year, our summers have been much like that time when he was very young and we spent every day together. However, I'll be going back to school soon to get ready for a new year, and so will my son! Next week, I'll give you a little insight about being a teacher and how you can work with your child's teacher to make the most of their time at school this year. Stay tuned!
I know that self care can be elusive in the midst of caring for a young child. Being a parent can be very demanding of our time, energy, and patience, and can seem like there is no time left for anything else. It's pretty crucial that we do take some time for self care, however- we're able to do much more as parents if we aren't constantly fatigued or sick. Here are some ways to incorporate self care in your busy schedule.
Early Bedtime- For them, not you. My son was in bed from 7-8pm each day. (He also woke up at 7am each day). Having that time at night to myself was really what kept me going the most. This was the time I had to catch up on the things I wasn't able to get to during the day, as well as to relax a bit- finally.
Exercise- This is something you can definitely incorporate during the day- I used to walk or hike with my son (in a stroller or carrier- or with him toddling along) daily. Another way you could do this is find a gym with a childcare room. This might be difficult if your young one gets upset separating from you, however.
Find your community- If you can help it at all, try not to be alone with your kids all day. Everyone needs help from time to time, whether it's with childcare or with moral support- both are pretty important. Social media can be good for moral support, but it really can't take the place of spending time with other people in person. There are lots of ways to do this- for us it was playgroups, moving closer to family, being a part of an early childhood education community, and getting out to activities and places for young ones as much as possible.
Find a confidant- Please also don't hesitate to set up counseling for yourself- no matter what your income level is, there is always a trained professional to talk to. This can often be a better option than talking to family or friends. It's just the way our brain works- it often takes an objective person to be the sounding board we need to move past what may be in the way of our ability to be at peace with ourselves. It goes without saying that we are then able to pass on that inner peace to our children. Call 211 or visit 211.org to find counseling services near you.
Do what you enjoy- Take that precious time you have to yourself to treat yourself. Nuff said!
Hopefully this article, if not offering you new information, will inspire you to be sure to incorporate some time for self care daily. I need to remind myself of that as well! Here in Maryland, school starts the day after Labor Day. Even though my son will be turning 10 this year, our summers have been much like that time when he was very young and we spent every day together. However, I'll be going back to school soon to get ready for a new year, and so will my son! Next week, I'll give you a little insight about being a teacher and how you can work with your child's teacher to make the most of their time at school this year. Stay tuned!
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Finding Childcare For Your Very Young Children
Parenting a young child is a job you have around the clock, 24/7. In fact, the younger your children are, the more often you might be awake 24/7. Everyone needs a breather now and then, and most parents also need to work- so where can one find good, reliable care that will also nurture early learning? It's often easier than you might think- even if money is tight! For today's article I'll focus on finding childcare for babies 2 and under. Baby care for working adults is a must, but for this age, I found it the most difficult to work out. To help you consider childcare that is comfortable for you and your child, I'll share my experience with a few different options and offer some pros and cons of each.
Leave Them With Your Family- Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles, family loves family, and if there are cousins around the same age, this is a great opportunity for some play based learning as well. Just remember that even though there is typically no charge for this type of childcare, it can be taxing, so be kind to those family members who offer to watch your little ones- set up care about which you both feel comfortable. Talk about their experience- offer support and be generous with your gratitude! Pros- FREE, can include elusive overnight babysitting. Cons- Might not work for long term care or care while you work.
Childcare Exchanges- This is something I did when I wasn't living close to my family. It works best if you have established relationships with other moms that have children of a similar age (maybe from a mom's group or a playgroup). We would work out times we needed help and tried to keep the amount of times we watched each other's kids even. This was great because our kids could play with each other as well, keeping each other occupied and less fussy. I highly recommend trying this because it doesn't cost a dime and helps build relationships between you and other parents, and between your kids! Pros- You and your child will make awesome friends! Cons- It can take time to find a good friend to partner with, one with which you feel comfortable.
Work From Home- If your family situation allows, you can work from home and take care of an infant. I'm not saying it's easy to do this, but it is possible, and might make things easi- er/more financially viable for you. I did some of this myself- just remember, it's only temporary- or if you like it way more than commuting somewhere, it could be the start of something new- something more comfortable for your lifestyle! Pros- No stressful commuting issues (no rush for you and for your baby to be ready in the morning, no more long commutes). Cons- You might not actually be able to get as much work done, and you might get paid less.
Nannies- If you can afford a nanny, and if you feel comfortable with this option- go for it! Experienced nannies have often looked after many, many babies in their time, so they have a good idea how to tend to your baby's needs, even if said baby can't speak for themselves yet. When I was with my son on weekdays, I would often see groups of nannies out at the park with their charges happily playing or napping in strollers. They would ask me if my son was the only baby I looked after. (I think they thought I was also a nanny)! Now I often see nannies out at my music shows as well- so go nannies! Pros- Your child gets individualized attention! Cons- Expense.
In Home Daycares- Some brave parents, most often while starting their own families, become momtrepreneurs or dadtrepreneurs, get licensed, and use their homes as daycares. Make sure you are comfortable with the mom or dad who has set up shop, their space, and the amount of children at the daycare. Find at least three to compare and contrast. A positive benefit of an in home daycare are that the ages of the children there may vary like a family and offer valuable socialization. I have visited, and I've also seen groups from in home daycares out at my music classes as well. Pros- Bonus "brothers and sisters." Cons- Less individualized attention.
Brick and Mortar Daycares- There are many daycares that accept babies- find one about which you feel comfortable. Do the babies there appear happy? Do the childcare workers look like they enjoy working with the babies? Would my baby get held/attended to if he or she was fussing? Are there play spaces and enrichment opportunities (music) designed to support infant development? These are all questions I would ask. Pros- Centers must maintain strict licensing requirements. Cons- Less individualized attention.
Below I've included some links to do some research on your childcare choices- remember the main word here is- you guessed it- comfortable. You'll know after checking out your options, doing some interviews, going on some site visits, checking references and reviews- what type of childcare to go with and when. This is where your parenting instincts kick in- you'll know what's safe and the best way to be resourceful for your children. Good luck- and see you next week for an article on childcare and preschool for children ages 2-5!
References-
National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Care.com
Child Care Aware hotline (800-424-2246)
Leave Them With Your Family- Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles, family loves family, and if there are cousins around the same age, this is a great opportunity for some play based learning as well. Just remember that even though there is typically no charge for this type of childcare, it can be taxing, so be kind to those family members who offer to watch your little ones- set up care about which you both feel comfortable. Talk about their experience- offer support and be generous with your gratitude! Pros- FREE, can include elusive overnight babysitting. Cons- Might not work for long term care or care while you work.
Childcare Exchanges- This is something I did when I wasn't living close to my family. It works best if you have established relationships with other moms that have children of a similar age (maybe from a mom's group or a playgroup). We would work out times we needed help and tried to keep the amount of times we watched each other's kids even. This was great because our kids could play with each other as well, keeping each other occupied and less fussy. I highly recommend trying this because it doesn't cost a dime and helps build relationships between you and other parents, and between your kids! Pros- You and your child will make awesome friends! Cons- It can take time to find a good friend to partner with, one with which you feel comfortable.
Work From Home- If your family situation allows, you can work from home and take care of an infant. I'm not saying it's easy to do this, but it is possible, and might make things easi- er/more financially viable for you. I did some of this myself- just remember, it's only temporary- or if you like it way more than commuting somewhere, it could be the start of something new- something more comfortable for your lifestyle! Pros- No stressful commuting issues (no rush for you and for your baby to be ready in the morning, no more long commutes). Cons- You might not actually be able to get as much work done, and you might get paid less.
Nannies- If you can afford a nanny, and if you feel comfortable with this option- go for it! Experienced nannies have often looked after many, many babies in their time, so they have a good idea how to tend to your baby's needs, even if said baby can't speak for themselves yet. When I was with my son on weekdays, I would often see groups of nannies out at the park with their charges happily playing or napping in strollers. They would ask me if my son was the only baby I looked after. (I think they thought I was also a nanny)! Now I often see nannies out at my music shows as well- so go nannies! Pros- Your child gets individualized attention! Cons- Expense.
In Home Daycares- Some brave parents, most often while starting their own families, become momtrepreneurs or dadtrepreneurs, get licensed, and use their homes as daycares. Make sure you are comfortable with the mom or dad who has set up shop, their space, and the amount of children at the daycare. Find at least three to compare and contrast. A positive benefit of an in home daycare are that the ages of the children there may vary like a family and offer valuable socialization. I have visited, and I've also seen groups from in home daycares out at my music classes as well. Pros- Bonus "brothers and sisters." Cons- Less individualized attention.
Brick and Mortar Daycares- There are many daycares that accept babies- find one about which you feel comfortable. Do the babies there appear happy? Do the childcare workers look like they enjoy working with the babies? Would my baby get held/attended to if he or she was fussing? Are there play spaces and enrichment opportunities (music) designed to support infant development? These are all questions I would ask. Pros- Centers must maintain strict licensing requirements. Cons- Less individualized attention.
Below I've included some links to do some research on your childcare choices- remember the main word here is- you guessed it- comfortable. You'll know after checking out your options, doing some interviews, going on some site visits, checking references and reviews- what type of childcare to go with and when. This is where your parenting instincts kick in- you'll know what's safe and the best way to be resourceful for your children. Good luck- and see you next week for an article on childcare and preschool for children ages 2-5!
References-
National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Care.com
Child Care Aware hotline (800-424-2246)
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Inspiring Stories for the Superhero Parent
Parents- do you ever feel like you are in a rut- living only to maintain stability and nothing more? I have felt that way- I have struggled as a parent many times over, striving for stability, yet dreaming for something more. A little inspiration has worked wonders for me, however, steeled me to find the strength when necessary- to somehow do more than I thought possible for my son.
This week I went in search of inspiring stories of parents who overcame great obstacles to provide a better life for their children. I believe there is something of a superhero in all committed parents, though these stories are often not told. Their efforts are apparent in the successes of their children, however, and luckily for our future, there are countless examples of parents coming through for their children every day.
I learned a couple of new stories of heroic parents as the result of my search, and revisited stories of parents by which I have been inspired before. To stay within the context of this early learning blog, the stories below all involve children 6 and under at some point- their committed parents and the way their actions won the day for their children in the end.
Ana Chavarin- Ana is a Latina woman, a Mexican immigrant who conquered trauma and poverty to provide a better life for her children. She is a champion for adult education, and she and her 4 children are all, at the time of the article, one degree away from accomplishing their goals. Hers is a story you might not know about, but one that will inspire you to know that access to education, employment, and justice can and will help all parent heroes along their way.
Chris Gardener- You might know something about Chris's story from the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness." This is the story of a father of a young child who found himself homeless in San Francisco. Imagine trying to shelter your young child for the night in a BART station bathroom, and you have the gist of Chris's story. Both father and son are hugely successfull businessmen now. Want to know how they did it? Read their story or watch the movie!
Cathy Hughes- Cathy was a teen mother who ended up being the first black woman to own a publicly traded company. She lost her home in her struggle to own/operate a radio station, (now Urban One) bringing her young son to sleep with her at the station. However, she was able to build her business up, branching out to TV as well. Cathy Hughes is an inspiring, self made success who's business-savvy son now also plays a big part in her company.
Erin Brokovich- Erin's story was also made into a film. Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for her portrayal of her. What appeals to me about Erin's story was her willingness to fight. With three young children to care for on her own without child support, that is not easy to do. Add on top of that a major car accident, and you have the setting for where begins her effort to stop PG&E from polluting her family's tap water. Check out this featured post on Erin's Facebook page, and you'll see her with her adult children- that is the success for me.
Josh Shipp- Josh's story isn't necessarily of the parents he had when he was a young child. It's more of a story of the foster parents who didn't give up on him when he was a teenager, and of the parent Josh is now to his young children. Josh is a motivational speaker for teens and parents, and his advice is universal- provide consistency and consequences, his main support for this assertion being that if it worked for him, it could work for anyone. Josh's story is one worth reading- his tagline is "One caring adult," and those adults are very much the parent superheroes that are the topic of this article today.
I hope these stories are as inspirational for you as they are for me- I could totally get more cheesy with the superhero metaphor for parents, but I won't. Just keep doing your best with one of the hardest, most rewarding jobs in the world, and you will easily have a superhero parent story of your own to tell one day, if not already! Next week, I'll get back to more practical advice for parents- how to find a good babysitter!
This week I went in search of inspiring stories of parents who overcame great obstacles to provide a better life for their children. I believe there is something of a superhero in all committed parents, though these stories are often not told. Their efforts are apparent in the successes of their children, however, and luckily for our future, there are countless examples of parents coming through for their children every day.
I learned a couple of new stories of heroic parents as the result of my search, and revisited stories of parents by which I have been inspired before. To stay within the context of this early learning blog, the stories below all involve children 6 and under at some point- their committed parents and the way their actions won the day for their children in the end.
Ana Chavarin- Ana is a Latina woman, a Mexican immigrant who conquered trauma and poverty to provide a better life for her children. She is a champion for adult education, and she and her 4 children are all, at the time of the article, one degree away from accomplishing their goals. Hers is a story you might not know about, but one that will inspire you to know that access to education, employment, and justice can and will help all parent heroes along their way.
Chris Gardener- You might know something about Chris's story from the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness." This is the story of a father of a young child who found himself homeless in San Francisco. Imagine trying to shelter your young child for the night in a BART station bathroom, and you have the gist of Chris's story. Both father and son are hugely successfull businessmen now. Want to know how they did it? Read their story or watch the movie!
Cathy Hughes- Cathy was a teen mother who ended up being the first black woman to own a publicly traded company. She lost her home in her struggle to own/operate a radio station, (now Urban One) bringing her young son to sleep with her at the station. However, she was able to build her business up, branching out to TV as well. Cathy Hughes is an inspiring, self made success who's business-savvy son now also plays a big part in her company.
Erin Brokovich- Erin's story was also made into a film. Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for her portrayal of her. What appeals to me about Erin's story was her willingness to fight. With three young children to care for on her own without child support, that is not easy to do. Add on top of that a major car accident, and you have the setting for where begins her effort to stop PG&E from polluting her family's tap water. Check out this featured post on Erin's Facebook page, and you'll see her with her adult children- that is the success for me.
Josh Shipp- Josh's story isn't necessarily of the parents he had when he was a young child. It's more of a story of the foster parents who didn't give up on him when he was a teenager, and of the parent Josh is now to his young children. Josh is a motivational speaker for teens and parents, and his advice is universal- provide consistency and consequences, his main support for this assertion being that if it worked for him, it could work for anyone. Josh's story is one worth reading- his tagline is "One caring adult," and those adults are very much the parent superheroes that are the topic of this article today.
I hope these stories are as inspirational for you as they are for me- I could totally get more cheesy with the superhero metaphor for parents, but I won't. Just keep doing your best with one of the hardest, most rewarding jobs in the world, and you will easily have a superhero parent story of your own to tell one day, if not already! Next week, I'll get back to more practical advice for parents- how to find a good babysitter!
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