The Impact of Computer Use on Childhood Development

If you are curious about the impact of computer use on child hood development and would like to know if your child is benefiting from your home computer or the computer they use at school, then read on to learn more about the pros and cons on the impact of computer use on childhood development.

The impact of computer use on childhood development in today's society can be beneficial and yet damaging. Some computer programs have been made to teach our children how to write, read, and spell. There may also be a large amount of children that have gotten more knowledge through using such programs and have succeeded immensely. Many programs developed throughout our technologies history have been proven to heighten children's learning abilities. Such programs include, matching, problem solving, and even skill building.

Another pro that can be considered when figuring out the impact of computer use on childhood development, falls under the category of learning how to navigate and being able to achieve in certain games that allow your child to defeat various challenges and levels. Completing these goals can build a child's confidence and make them feel like a winner. Some computer games let you choose how difficult or easy you want the game to be allowing almost anyone to accomplish a challenge.

Whether your child is at a young age or is approaching their teen years, some computer programs were made to be more of a menace to your child's development. Be aware of these games, for they can ruin your child's ability to learn with just one click. If your child is becoming obsessed with a certain computer game and tends to be getting more lazy around the house, then it is time to try intervening and helping your child find more upbeat activities to engage in.
Another important factor that you should consider while figuring out the impact of computer use on childhood development, is the ratings on the games your children choose to play. Some computer games are extremely violent and include high rating content that most children should not be able to get their hands on. These games can invite hostile emotions that may impact your child to the point of acting out the characters in the game, causing a problem for not only your child, but for everyone that lives in the home.

There are definitely some important factors that need to be explored before purchasing any computer program for your child or children. Try looking up the program on-line first to see what the rating is or if the program has any qualities to help your child in their learning development. Also, don't forget to check the rating on any computer games your child purchases or brings into the home. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the safety of what kind of content your child may be engaging in.

By Gary Pearson

10 Best Homework Tips For Busy & Fed-Up Families

Homework is my thing. I give homework presentations, workshops and seminars for parents and teachers; I talk to students about homework; I answer parents' emails concerning homework; I deal with my own children's homework. I have even created an entire homework site for families with pages and pages of homework tips, ideas, suggestions and advice!
I know from homework.

But, sometimes families don't have time for all of my homework knowledge; they want the quick-and-dirty, condensed version! So, if you are fed-up with homework and short on time, the following list is for you.

10 Best Homework Tips for Fed-Up Families

1. Make a list of your family's major homework issues/ problems. Does homework take too much time? Do your kids have trouble getting started, keeping track of assignments, turning it all in? Are you tired of feeling as though it is your homework? Write down whatever is bothering you. You cannot solve a problem until you know exactly what it is.

Share the list with your kids. You might say, "I've been thinking about how every night we fight about homework. Here's the list of what really makes me crazy. I'd like to have some enjoyable evenings, wouldn't you? What do you think is causing all of the problems?" Listen to what your kids say! They are truly the ones suffering!

2. Address the problems and solutions you and your child discussed in a Homework Contract. This doesn't have to be anything fancy, just be sure to include answers to any on-going homework. For example, if your child has trouble getting started on homework, one of the items on the homework contract might be

Mike will start his homework by 4 pm every day.

Please keep your Homework Contract simple: no more than four or five Homework Rules.
3. Give your kids an incentive. No, I do not think children should get paid to do their homework! However, if your family has been fighting the Battle Royale every night, and now it's an episode of Little House on the Prairie- let's recognize and reward! Give your children short and long-term incentives for doing their homework quickly and independently. And, no, I'm not talking about an expensive, fancy reward system. It could be as simple as
Mike can watch TV if he finishes his homework by dinner.

or

Michaela can choose Saturday night's restaurant if she does her homework all week without being reminded.

Did you know that when you sandwich homework between two fun activities, it's called a Homework Sandwich? Check out more homework sandwich ideas...

4. Make a Magic Homework Box. This is a box filled with your child's daily homework supplies and materials. At homework time, the box comes out, and it's time to boogie! No more "I-can't-find-a-pencil" or "Where-is-my-ruler?" excuses. When homework is finished, everything goes back into the Magic Homework Box- ready for tomorrow.

5. Get some homework organization. You know how you good you feel when you clean out a closet or a drawer full of junk? Your kids need to feel that way, too. Help them children clean out their backpacks, put together homework folders, set up files for returned tests and school work.
6. Speak to the teacher. Teachers are constantly amazed when I tell them that parents complain that homework is ruining their lives, that it causes fights every night, that their children are starting to hate school. "Really?" they say, mortified. Believe it or not, most teachers are not out to ruin lives and make kids hate school! Many times, they have no idea what is happening. Please, please, please, speak to your child's teacher! If your daughter is spending two hours a night doing homework that should take 30 minutes- the teacher needs to know. And, don't believe that your child is the only one not "cutting the mustard." You'll be doing everybody a favor.

I have a list of Homework Questions to Ask the Teacher (see site information below). Ask them at Back to School Night- or any time during the school year.

7. Create a homework friendly home. Ask yourself, "If I were a kid, could I do homework at our house?" Is your home too noisy, too messy, too dark? Do you have a good dictionary- and can anyone find it? Making your home homework friendly does not have to be an expensive or time-consuming- but it does require some thought and effort.

8. Don't hover or, worse, do your child's homework. It blows my mind when parents tell me that they sit next to their children while they do their homework. (Okay, maybe I understand doing it for the first week of two of kindergarten, but after that? Stop it!) Your children work

independently at school, and they can do it at home. And, stop doing their homework for them. If it is too difficult, speak to the teacher or get them some outside (tutoring) help.

9. Make your kids go to bed! They need sleep more than another page of math problems, trust me. And, if you don't trust me, there are plenty of sleep studies to back me up. Forget the fact there are a myriad of physical, social, psychological and developmental reasons why kids needs the proper amount of sleep; chronically sleep-deprived students can't learn. So, it is okay if your child stays up late once in awhile working on a project, but it should be a very rare occurrence.
Here's a No Homework Note you can write to your child's teacher explaining why you chose to make your child go to bed. Which brings me to my last tip...

10. They are your kids, and you are in charge. I am not suggesting that you begin second-guessing, questioning and criticizing your child's teacher (please, don't!). I am saying that if your child is struggling night after night with homework, if they are crying and fighting about doing homework, if your once rabid reader never picks up a book- put your foot down! Do something!

Start with these tips, and share them with other parents!

By Angela Norton Tyler

Being a Good Parent to Teenagers

Parenting teenagers can be challenging at times. The teenage years can be a time when teens feel they are grown. They think they've learned everything they need to know. They often feel their parents are outdated and don't know what they're going through. They rebel against rules and limitations. Teenagers want to take charge of their lives but they're not quite ready for to handle the responsibility. Being a teenager is a difficult time period for young people. They are gradually making the transition from childhood to adulthood but are not quite there yet. There is an inner struggle between child and adult going on inside of them. The teenage years are a difficult time for teens as well as their parents. But there are ways to ease the transitional period for both parents and their teenage children.

Keep the lines of communication open.

Be honest with your teen. Share your feelings and concerns. Perhaps your teenager will do the same. Even if your teen doesn't open up to you right away, that's okay. Most teenagers find it difficult to talk to their parents. The important thing is that you let your teen know you are always available if he wants to talk.

Set limitations but let your teen have his say too.

Include your teen in discussions and decisions that involve him. For example, you don't want your 16 year old son out until 2 in the morning so you set a time for him to be home that is agreeable to both you and him. If you work together to set house rules your teen will be more likely to obey them and there will be less disagreements. The key is to compromise and your teenager needs to understand that as well.

Be firm and stick to your word.

Every now and then your teenager may have an unreasonable request. In certain circumstances you will have to say no. When saying no is in your child's best interest be firm and stick to your word. Your teenager may be angry or upset at first but he'll get over it.
Give your teenager responsibility.
You can't expect your teenager to be responsible if you never allow him to have any responsibility.

Give advice rather than orders.

Your teenager will be much more likely to listen to you if you advise him rather than just bark orders at him. Take the time to listen to yourself when talking to your teen. How do you really sound?

Be supportive.

Support your teen in his endeavors but allow him to learn from the consequences of his own actions. If you pick up the pieces every time he acts irresponsibly your teenager will become dependent rather than independent. Encourage your teenager to overcome obstacles and set goals for himself. Set a good example for him.

Be patient and positive.

Be patient with your teenager. Remind yourself that he is going through a difficult time too. Learn to control your anger. If you are angry over something your teen has said or done take time to calm down first and then discuss the offense with your teen later. Keep a positive attitude. If you have a negative attitude it will eventually rub off on your teen too. Negativity accomplishes nothing but a positive attitude can make a world of difference.

By Gary Pearson

Child Health and Safety Issues

Child health or safety issues face us every day. Every generation is smarter, bolder, and more curious than the preceding generation. That is why it is imperative that we address safety issues and keep a keener eye on our children.

Lately, summertime is a time for concern as the number of children drowning has reached nauseating heights. Even one child dying by accidental drowning is too much and something that no parent or guardian can ever fully forgive themselves for. Fences and locking gates around pools have just been implemented in the public conscious because of such tragedies that have occurred over the past several years.

Other child health or safety issues revolve around lead in toys that are imported from overseas. Although lead has been banned from paint on toys in the United States since the late seventies, other countries still have no restrictions and perhaps use it for its economic values or a lack of education as to the danger of it. America has a responsibility to educate and perhaps help fund those countries and companies to make the transition to non lead paint.

Plastic can also contain lead and has yet been banned from plastics on children's toys. Lead actually makes plastic more flexible and more durable in heat. But a health issue is that when plastic is exposed to some detergents the chemical bond between lead and plastic breaks down and forms a dust that can be ingested through inhalation and lead to respiratory infections and other incubating afflictions.

Children's health or safety issues should be at the forefront of the country's concerns as we are now more knowledgeable about chemical interactions and residues exposed under certain circumstances like washings. For a prosperous country the health and safety of its citizens is a major concern and subject to intense alterations of manufacturing.

Do-it-yourself kits have been put on the market to test for lead. However, they fail to indicate the levels of the element and as of yet there hasn't been any determination as to how reliable those kits are in detecting low levels of lead. Only a laboratory test could accurately determine the true level of lead in paint or plastic. Laws are being implemented to restrict the use of lead in paints and plastics.

School playgrounds have been replacing the concrete and blacktop surfaces are being replaced by mulch, wood chips, and sand to cushion children's falls and jumps off swings. The most effective safety feature is adult supervision and the education of kids to not jump off swings or from the top rungs of jungle gyms to prevent broken legs and twisted ankles.

For all the advancements in technology, it is important that the safety and health of our children forge ahead and evolve with the knowledge that's discovered with leading tests and statistical data.

By Gary Pearson

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.