Child Safety and Development Archives - Page 2 of 2

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Edsys

Three objects were considered essential across all participants, cultures and genders: keys, money and mobile phone.”

– Jan Chipchase, Nokia

Jenn is 3; she uses her mother’s phone with great interest and amusement. If she couldn’t find the phone at her reach, she would cry her eyes out.

Ann is 9; still she demands to have a mobile phone for herself. Peer pressure must be the reason. She doesn’t want to depend on her mother for mobile access anymore.

Stella is 12; she needs the best- branded phone. She cannot take the risk of bringing a normal phone to school.

Jenn, Ann, and Stella are not individual cases. If you are a parent you must have noticed your child’s obsessions towards Smart phones. From the time they start understanding their surroundings; smart phones become an important priority for them. Parents love their children but are confused whether it’s good or bad to gift children smart phones.

Everything you need to know before surprising your child with a smart phone:

Most parents believe that it’s not wise to give mobile phones for children. The decision has become tougher with the arrival of kid-friendly apps and interesting videos for children.

According to survey conducted on mobile phones and children,

56 %of children ages 10 to 13 have a smartphone
25 % of children ages 2 to 5 have a smartphone

But the right age of introducing children to smart phones till remains a mystery. Let’s forget about the right and wrong, we can evaluate the uses of mobile phones.

Family circumstances, child’s maturity level, the real use of mobile phones are all factors that must be considered before gifting children mobile phones.

Compared to indoor learning, we know that children enjoy EYFS syllabus. The way they are made to learn is crucial. Just like the interactive learning experience of EYFS, there are numerous applications available in smart phones that can make learning a whole- new experience for children.

The prominent question is, “What’s the phone for?” the manner in which your child uses the phone must be taken in to consideration. There are useful apps out there that can be used to enhance children’s knowledge. But the social media circle is too early for small children to be a part of.

The educational possibilities of smart phones must be taken in to consideration before declining its use as well. There are numerous exclusive apps waiting for your children at the play store.

Be Double Sure About Your Decision

Emotional maturity

Child psychologists confirm that there is no specific age when children are ready for smart phones. It is noticed that introducing children to smart phone at an early age provides them solid foundation of the digital world. The parents must be well-aware about their children’s emotional and physical maturity before gifting them a smart phone.

Children after sometime might become frustrated with technology this may develop hatred towards everything in life. Face to face interaction is equally important for children to develop emotionally.

Love yourself

It’s important for children to love their own company. With smart phones they remain constantly in touch with one another. Nowadays when people are alone, they reach for their phones rather than involving themselves in personal activities.

Parental involvement

Parents must be involved in their child’s electronic device experiences. You can help your children gain more knowledge by indulging with them in the right usage of smart phones. The interaction with children surely will enhance your relationship with them. Along with interactive mobile phone sessions, spend time for outdoor activities as well. At the end of the day, they have to live in the real world.

How you use is important

It cannot be ignored that the way you use your mobile phones determines the outcome. Parents should distinguish between entertainment content and educational content. While selecting apps for your children always go for age-based apps. Choose apps your child can handle easily and effectively. There are numerous apps available which are distinguished according to the age group.

Limited Screen Time

According to studies:

Do not allow 4 to 5 years old to sit more than half an hour per sitting
Do not allow 6 to 7 year olds to sit more than one hour per sitting
High school students should limit the use to two hours

Other problems

Never allow your child to interact or use mobile phones while taking dinner.
Over-usage of mobile phones can result in eye problems. 20-20-20 rule must be followed. Every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away

Random facts you may find useful:

If you are thinking of gifting your young children mobile phone. Opt for ones that dial only your contact number with pre-paid connection
Always opt for a basic handset for children
Apps your children download must be given special consideration
The social media usage must be under strict control

So, go ahead and teach your children the right smartphone habits.

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Edsys

“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

Don’t take play that playful. Yes! You heard it right. There are numerous advantages connected with play.

Early Years Foundation Stage syllabus for pre-schoolers ensures fun-based learning experience starts at pre-schools. But are our children learning really well at home?

Even EYFS works better if parents take care to involve their kids in some activities at home. Switch the learning environment of your child from passive to active. If you are short on ideas, here are some useful websites you can take help from.

Best Free Activity Apps (Check it Now)

All about 10 fascinating blogs for kids

Fun At Home With Kids

Fun at home with kids is all-rounder blog managed by Asia, a former teacher. You can find little bit of everything in the blog. Science, art, crafts, sensory play, and small world play, everything is stuffed in the blog. The blog tries to encourage creativity and imaginative play. The aim of the blog is to make play at home fun because it’s not that tough!

Housing a Forest

Housing a Forest is packed with fun filled engaging kids activities. Inexpensive activities that are easy to follow are the highlights of this blog. Tammy Dube is the girl behind Housing a Forest. She is a writer and creator. Make your kids excited about learning with the various activities in Housing a Forest.

Mama. Papa. Bubba

Mama. Papa. Bubba is a charming website about engaged parenting, natural living, overseas living and travel. Healthful recipes, toddler food ideas, and doable DIY projects along with fun crafts and play activities are stuffed in the site. Everything you need under one roof!

Happy Hooligans

Happy Hooligans highlights easy and affordable art and craft ideas for parents to try out at home. The site is managed by Jackie, a mom, wife and day-care provider. The unique activities in the site come straight from the daily activities of Jackie’s home-daycare. She uses everyday items and simple materials for unique activities. The ideas are not only suitable for toddlers and preschoolers but older kids will also love it.

Nurturestore

The creative spirit behind Nurturestore is Cathy. The blog consists of more than 800 play and learn activities for children aged between 0 – 10. Play Planner is a service that you can avail by signing up. It gives fun charged ideas for each day of the week. You can find interesting resources in the site for sure. The blog is loaded with requirements for every child.

Fantastic Fun and Learning

Fantastic Fun and Learning is the blog of Shaunna. There are a wide range of fun stuffed activities and theme-based learning ideas in this blog. The highlight of this website is how it combines art, math, science, and reading ideas to go along with one theme. Fantastic Fun and Learning consists of book ideas, small word play and sensory activities.

Buggy and Buddy

Buggy and Buddy is a fascinating website with extensive resource is managed by Chelsey, a creator, writer, former elementary school teacher and a mother of two. “Creating and Educating with Love” is the motto of the website. Buggy and Buddy is all about nurturing a love for learning in children. It is easy to find crafts and activities in the site that instantly boosts creativity in children.

Learn With Play At Home

Learn with play at home is a handy website for parents. The blog is maintained by Deb, an EYFS Teacher. Learn with Play At Home consists of activities, ideas and tips. Open-ended maths and literacy activities, scientific explorations, cooking fun are the highlights of the blog.

Twodaloo

Twodaloo is a useful blog that focuses on imaginative play, art, nature, and communication skills. The blog is lead by Stephanie who is passionate about play-based learning. Find interesting information regarding early childhood development with Twodaloo.

Dilly-Dali Art

Dilly-Dali Art is the blog of Aleacia, a passionate mom. The blog is a perfect platform for finding unique art projects for kids. The activities in the blog are based on art and love. Art for kids, artists and element lessons for home schoolers and art play in group setting are available in the blog.

These are great blogs, but there might be other cool blogs for children too. If you know of one, please share with us in the comment section.

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Edsys

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” – Stacia

Smart phone, as the name suggests is one among the smartest invention of the modern era. In case of an emergency, smartphones help children to get in touch with their parents.

In addition to that, smartphone gifts children access to the outside world. They are free to download mobile applications, surf all sorts of websites, communicate with people all over the world, etc.

Smartphones have a lot of uses in the classroom too. For instance, Early Years Foundation Stage makes use of the technology to identify and groom young talents.

In spite of being so familiar with smartphones, it is easy for children to invite dangers unintentionally while they are online.

It is not wise to leave children alone with their smartphone. Parents should take the right precautions to keep children safe with their smartphone.

Check out some smart ways to keep your children safe on smart phones:

Restrict in-app purchases

If your app accounts are linked with credit or debit cards, it becomes easy for children to purchase apps without the permission of the parents.

Apple had to refund $32.5m to parents of children who purchased apps without the consent of their parents. Never link your credit or debit card with the app store, it can be dangerous.

Always check the downloaded apps

It’s important to check the mobile applications downloaded by children. There are dating apps available in market which allows underage people to access with a minimum age limit of 13.

Online predators are something your child must be kept away from. According to 2015 Tinder experiment, online predators are using the app to groom underage girls. Prevention is way better than cure.

Set Location data to private

Certain apps help in accessing phones GPS and will transfer the location data to the third party. While using a family location service to monitor kids’, parents must make sure only they have got access. Location data can be disabled so that it would neither be available publicly nor be searchable.

Make the phone secure

It’s important to maintain phone security. When a smartphone goes missing, people are worried not about the loss of a device, but the sensitive details in it. On an average, 1 out of 5 children in US have had their cell phones stolen.

So that means you should never store delicate information in the cell phone. Installing a tracking app in the phone can help locate the phone if it’s lost or stolen. Data erasing apps are available in the market along with tracking apps.

You can take a lot of precautions by installing some smart cyber-security apps as well.

Appropriate sharing

Teach your kids to share only appropriate content with others. Posting in-appropriate content can have negative effects which can be both immediate as well as long-lasting. Children must be taught about the emotional and social consequences of irresponsible sharing. With smartphones, sharing photos and videos is literally child’s play and happen within seconds too.

1 out of 10 teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their consent.
1 out of 5 teens have either posted or sent sexually suggestive or nude pictures of themselves to others.

Greater responsibilities:

It’s almost impossible to keep children away from smartphone: they are getting addicted to the device day by day. A coin has two sides, so does a problem. It must not be ignored that smartphones help children in numerous ways. There are applications that help them to learn a lot of new things.

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Edsys

In today’s age, we are becoming more and more culturally and ethnically diverse in all aspects of life. It spans across educational backgrounds, religion, language, race, ethnicity and geography. In spite of diversity that surrounds us most schools do not take a proactive approach to acknowledging diversity. There are numerous reasons why schools, parents and teachers alike should acknowledge diversity.

Why Acknowledge Diversity?

Diversity contributes to the richness of any environment. Students who are exposed to different cultures, backgrounds learn to respect and value people’s differences. They will develop an understanding of perspectives of different backgrounds and will also learn to function in a multicultural environment. This will also get them ready to be a part of any multicultural democracy.

A school that is diverse in faculty, staff as well as students has an enhanced environment of learning. It gives everyone a chance to experience different things that they are normally not accustomed to. Students in such schools will be more motivated and will very well be able to fit into any heterogeneous or complex society.

Challenges

Despite the benefits of having a diverse staff, faculty and students, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed and overcome. Several studies have shown that minority faculty members and women are less satisfied in some aspects that their counterparts. These aspects often include professional relations with colleagues, salary, promotion and overall job satisfaction. It is the case with minority students as well. They often feel isolated and unwelcome and are often victims of discrimination and differential treatment.

Researches have also shown that the lack of previous positive experiences among minority members and majority creates an anxious environment. The resulting atmosphere is sometimes hostile. Another challenge that most diverse institutions face is that people hold unconscious assumptions and their judgements and interactions are mostly influenced. The assumptions and expectations are often based on physical and social characteristic like gender, age, race and ethnicity.

Embracing Diversity

Conflicts are natural in a diverse environment, but overcoming them and making it an advantage ultimately lies in the hands of parents and teachers.So, what can teachers and parents to help students understand and embrace diversity?

Role of Teachers: It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that no child is left behind and there is no achievement gap among diverse groups.Regardless of their ethnic background or language difference, the goal should be see that all students thrive. Structured class room activities are a great way to highlight and acknowledge different perspectives. The teacher can create diverse learning groups, wherein each student will be required to contribute to the group. This method will make students realize that each one is important and has something valuable to say.

Another very important factor that a teacher needs to take a conscious effort is mutual respect. Disrespect for fellow students should not be tolerated. Ground rules should be established; even the kids can be included to help establish these rules. A cordial environment where opinions and perspectives of others are valued should be modelled for students.

Role of Parents: It’s not about strategies or suggestions that can make a difference. It’s more about having the right mind set and teaching your children ways to support and welcome people from all backgrounds. The best way to start would be to broaden your social horizon. As a family socialize with people with whom you would not normally associate. Arrange dinner parties, invite new friends over or simply create situations wherein you can interact with parents of other children. Engage your kids in real conversations about diversity. As you start such conversations, their curiosity will grow and will expand their cognitive and social skills.

Parents can also play a part in promoting a positive environment in school. Find your school, pay attention to how the school addresses the needs and wants of diverse students. If you notice any different discipline consequences for different set of students, then make sure you express your concern. Observe of the student leadership group is ethnically diverse, if not question.

On the whole, it is the joint effort of parents, students and teachers alike to create a community that welcomes, listens and accepts people and ideas that are different from their own. When parents and teachers play their role, the school will be transformed into a warm, welcoming community.

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Edsys

Vacations have transformed drastically over the years.

From a time of unstructured play and fun, vacations now are a time to learn and sharpen new skills.

If you are finding it difficult to use your vacations more productively, then here are 10 steps to help you.

1. Make a Decision

Make a decision to utilize the vacation effectively from the very first day onwards. Whatever may be the plan, start from the first day itself. Once you postpone the beginning, it is difficult to stay on track.

Make a good plan and schedule for the whole vacation. Even consider leisure times too. ‘Well begun is half done.’ So make the decision properly and follow it.

2. Wake up Early in the Morning

Make it a habit to wake up early in the morning as on regular school days. Sometimes we may have the tendency to sleep for more time, but that is dangerous. If we do it for a few days it becomes a habit and it will be difficult for us to wake up even on school days. It will help you to have enough time to do daily targets. It is good to be active from the morning itself.

3. Focus on Health and Hygiene

Only a healthy body can have a healthy mind.
“To keep a body in good health is a duty…. Otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”- Buddha.
So use your vacation in a proper way that won’t harm your health. Hygiene is a part of discipline.

4. Studies should be Continued

Even on holidays, studying remains essential for a student. It doesn’t matter whether we have finished one academic year or it’s a vacation after the exams.

Fix a particular time every day for studies and continue them. Revise the previous year’s topics or read in advance for the coming year.

Both will help you when you are back at school. Some schools will give assignments for the vacation.

5. Execute your Plans Strictly

Reduce the ‘doing nothing’ hours to the minimum. Everything that you are doing should be according to the plan.

If any changes occur, you must find the time to do the missed activities ASAP.

6. Be part of activities that give you more Exposure

It will be a great experience if you become a part of any social service or volunteer groups.

It will increase your ability to mingle with society and you can gain more friends aside from your schoolmates. So be in touch with your friends, have a great sense of accomplishment, stay active and feel fresh.

7. Start some new business that suits your hobby

Gather knowledge about the scope of your hobby to expand your vacation activities. For example, those who are interested in agriculture must learn about cultivation and try small farming activities at home.

8. Learn new technologies

Those who are interested in IT should join for some computer course and study their favorite topic in a systematic way.

Try to explore more information about computer programming and software. It will be a great advantage in the present day.

9. Camping

Go for some camps and have some adventures! It would be a great experience to stay away from home and school for a few days.

Children would be able to enjoy entirely different lifestyles for some days. Students will learn so many things from outdoor camps and it will help in their personality development.

They will learn to cook and to do households chores from camps.

10. Read New Books

Make sure that you read at least two books in a one month vacation. Choose a classic one and a recent best seller.

Make it a habit of writing down your opinion about the book. The children must read everyday newspaper thoroughly as it is necessary to increase their knowledge about current affairs.

Always be in touch with your school. Parents have the responsibility to guide and support them during these vacation activities. Teachers can only assist them by giving guidelines. There are a number of software which makes the parent-teacher interaction an easy task.

EYFS programmes have so many good ideas for utilizing school vacation productively for pre-schoolers too. But parents should be informed of the light-hearted nature of EYFS programmes. Vacations are not for entertainment only. If we plan well, it can be more useful than regular schooldays.

Also Read: 5 Education Apps to Spruce Up Holidays

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Edsys

Many researches exist about parental involvement in education. All the results of such researches point out that parental involvement not only positively affect student achievement, but it also contributes to the better performance and higher quality education of the schools. It is not easy to make a positive involvement in our child’s education. Now with the advancement of technology, parents find it easy to get involved in their child’s education. Edsys introduces Smart Cards, School bus Tracking System and Parent Portal etc which enables parental involvement in the education of their children.

Get Best Free Parental Apps (Check it Now)

When and where should parental involvement take place?

The best time to begin your involvement is when your child starts his/her education! The earlier it begins, the more powerful will be the effect. The best form of parental involvement is parents joining the children in their studies at home or while doing homework.

Schools also support and encourage parental involvement. They make parents feel welcome at school, involving parents in decision making and implementing programmes to provide information about parenting skills and community resources.

Types of involvement

Communicating regularly with teachers is the best way for the parents to be involved in education. Consider the teacher as a partner in managing the education of our child. With proper guidance and support from the teacher, the parents may become more involved in home learning activities and find themselves with opportunities to teach, to be models for their children and to guide them.

Sometimes, schools demand children to practice reading at home with parents, and then children gain more information. Some parents read out stories and books for their children and spend time with them, which contributes a lot to their achievement.

Some activities that can be practiced for better involvement of parents

Having a family routine, providing calm and quiet atmosphere to learn- being strict about bedtime and having dinner together
Regularly checking the Parent Portal to know children’s performance at school or to get teachers’ remarks about them
Check their regular attendance in class and in school bus. Always have a look at their expenses and whereabouts. With the help of the Smartcards this can done without much effort
Enable the School bus Tracking System for knowing their routes to school and to know the school bus timing
Monitor activities after school.
Setting a control for watching TV, observing them always and giving supervised care.
Be a good model to your kids and let them learn the importance of discipline and hard work in life
Enable them to set a good ambition which is high and realistic.
Encourage their achievements and progress in school and visit their school once in a while
Promote reading, writing and participating discussions among family members

The benefits of parental involvement

For children:

There will be drastic improvement in all the fields of the child’s life irrespective of the racial or ethnic background, socio-economic status, or parents’ education level and occupation
Their academic status will improve; they achieve better grade, test scores and attendance.
They will always complete their homework
It will increase their self esteem and they become more self-disciplined
When parents and teachers work together, it will bridge the gap between the two cultures – cultures at home and at school
They tend to show more interest towards school

Get Best Free Parental Apps (Check it Now)

For the parents:

Constant interactions with their kids enable them to know their calibre and tastes better. It will make them confident in parenting and in making decisions about their children
They get more knowledge about their child’s development
Parents’ perceptions about the institution and teachers will improve and there will be a stronger tie and commitment with school
When they become more aware of the curriculum and policies, they can also contribute to the decision making process

For the educators:

Parental involvement will increase the morale of the teachers.
Parents will show more respect towards the teachers and the institutions
The schools will receive a better support
The teachers will be able to understand families, cultures and their diversities