June 23rd, 2010
The Norton online Family Report 2010 conducted by Symantec compared children’s online experiences to their parents assumptions. They found that children are spending on average 11.4 hours per week online which is 10 % up from last year.
20% of children said they felt embarrassed or regret something they have done online such as download a virus or stumble across nude images.It was found that just under 50 % of parents realise that their kids have negative experiences online.
The good news is that the study found that many children wanted more parental involvement. To view the study, as cited by the Herald Sun, here is the link.
My experience is that parents often feel inadequate to assist or monitor their children. I suggest to parents that while the medium is different, the principles of “stranger danger” are the same for every generation. Moreover, parents can empower their children to make good choices based on sound values. For instance, not damaging property is a sound value whether it applies to breaking furniture or sending viruses. Similarly, not looking at another person’s private parts is a sound value whether it involves kids at school or viewing it on the net.
Do not be afraid to educate your child in these values. It is as important as finding software to protect your child online. Keep discussions open and show you concern to your children.
I would love to hear your experience, please submit your comments here.
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June 10th, 2010
The Importance of Reading
Reading to one’s child has always been seen as an important part of being a parent. Young children have traditionally loved to listen to their mother’s voice as she acts out characters in the book. Sitting with dad’s arm around you was one of growing up’s treasured times. Not only from the bonding perspective, but also from the educational perspective, reading is known to assist children develop language and to enrich their vocabulary and creative abilities.
While the love of books and reading is cultivated in the young child, it is equally important as the child grows. Involvement with reading activities has significant positive influences on reading achievement, language comprehension, expressive language skills plus attitudes towards reading and attentiveness in the classroom.
Recent research from the National Literacy trust in England found that around 80% of children who had better than expected reading skills had their own books. They also found that today 36 pupils out of 40 own a mobile phone. Looking at a drop in literacy skills in a sample of 11 year olds, researchers worry that modern technology is having a negative impact on literacy. In other words, they are concerned that resources are going into buying and maintaining a mobile phone instead of books, resulting in a drop in literacy skills.
Here are some suggestions to keep your child interested in learning and education
- own books
- buy new books regularly or borrow from the library regularly
- read to young children
- expose older children to books, magazines, newspapers and online articles
- promote reading as a valuable and worthwhile activity
- read more yourself thereby role modelling the behaviour you are encouraging
Do you love reading? Does your child? What are your ideas on the topic?
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