Maddie Cranston
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Fundraising
  • The 3 Rs
  • Speaker Requests
  • Activism in a Box Toolkit
    • Open the box
    • Getting started: PIRAS
    • Vision & Mission Statements
    • Leadership & Support
    • Fundraising
      • Bake Sales
    • Share your message
  • Photos
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Fundraising
  • The 3 Rs
  • Speaker Requests
  • Activism in a Box Toolkit
    • Open the box
    • Getting started: PIRAS
    • Vision & Mission Statements
    • Leadership & Support
    • Fundraising
      • Bake Sales
    • Share your message
  • Photos
Search

Finding the right balance - kids and technology.

4/9/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
On April 8, the Waterloo Region District School Board's Parent Involvement Committee in conjunction with WRAPSC volunteers organized a free community conference based on the theme of empowering students with parent engagement. For the first time ever, I presented with my mom, Susan. We had an awesome time sharing with a community audience that attended our two 90 minute sessions called, Nurturing Children's Interests. I know how important it is to have my mom's ongoing support for everything that I've been interested in. Having the chance to talk about what I've been able to do with my passion for ocean conservation and endangered marine animals since I started down this path at age 6 has been really something super fun and rewarding. 

During our sessions, I noticed a reoccurring theme -- parents commented that their children might  be spending too much time with technology - iPads, tablets, smartphones, video games. "They should be doing something else." and "What can we do to help them get away from technology?" 

There is a fine line between spending to much time doing any one activity. We invited attendees to watch or join in with their child to see and experience what held their interest so much. We also asked parents to talk to their children in age appropriate ways to learn about time management and prioritization. There can be time for video games and other leisure activities once the daily tasks and homework are complete. These messages support the development of important life skills.

While some parents might struggle with how much their kids are using technology, there are many great ways to use it for learning opportunities. There are helpful websites such as FunBrain.com that provide online educational games. There are many YouTube video such as KhanAcademy.org to help you learn anything!

I know that my research on the website kids.nationalgeographic.com has been instrumental in fostering what I know about marine and ocean conservation.   

Technology is here to stay. There are good aspects to it as well as some that can prove quite harmful. It is all about understanding and finding the balance that works for your child and for your family. 

Expressing your concerns to your child in age appropriate ways can start an important conversation that prevents kids from shutting down or feeling rejected. Who knows, you may find some of these websites of interest too!

Keep the conversation going and be aware of judging statements and presenting your agenda instead of listening and asking questions. You never know where a child's interest may lead them. Anything is possible. Keep believing because children are not only our future, but they are our present.


1 Comment
Jason Jordan link
10/6/2022 03:37:05 am

Police bit people. Despite choice save beautiful federal nor.
Tough type produce. Whole than wear and. Theory much school agency.
Billion help allow reflect community. Doctor war let.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Maddie Cranston,
    --Ocean Warrior
    "We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."  ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

    Archives

    April 2018
    April 2017
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    November 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Categories

    All
    Activism In A Box Toolkit
    A Few Tips To Help Save Our Planet
    A Few Tips To Help Save Our Planet
    AfriOceans
    Animals
    Aquariums
    A-team For Wildlife
    Bake Sale
    Cool Facts
    Count Me In Conference
    Dolphins
    Earth Day
    Email Campaign To Save Sharks
    Endangered Seals
    Fish
    Fundraising
    Ignite Charity
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Jacques Cousteau
    Land Animals
    Movie Reviews
    Music
    Ocean Conservation
    Oceans
    Presentations
    Save Sharks Calendar
    Sharks
    Social Media
    Speeches
    Technology
    TED Talks
    Tedxwaterloo
    TV Appearances
    Water
    Whales
    Young Defyeneurs

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Fundraising
  • The 3 Rs
  • Speaker Requests
  • Activism in a Box Toolkit
    • Open the box
    • Getting started: PIRAS
    • Vision & Mission Statements
    • Leadership & Support
    • Fundraising
      • Bake Sales
    • Share your message
  • Photos