In just the past few years, we’ve seen major brands such as AT&T, Nestle, and Epic Games pause their advertising on YouTube following accusations that the platform was being used by predators to find videos of young girls. Google’s recommendation algorithm can sometimes lead users to find videos with inappropriate and potentially predatory comments with only a few clicks. Even YouTube Kids, the app developed by YouTube to keep content family-friendly and appropriate for children,…
Are you looking for ways to supplement your child’s learning from home? Here’s a list of where to find the best free online courses. edX Everyone knows edX, the big name on virtual campus. If you’re looking for serious online courses from the top universities in the world, this is your answer. Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX is a nonprofit platform aiming to change up education and allow people to learn without the usual…
While some students enjoy unlimited access to the internet and other digital technology, there are other students, just as capable and full of potential, who struggle to learn even the basics of computer use due to a lack of internet access. Our world heavily relies on technology for everyday communication, education, work, and much more. Over time, students without internet access at home will face massive disadvantages, including: Lack of basic research skills Lack of…
For the kids in our lives, the last nine months have been many things. Scary, because an invisible illness was suddenly spreading across the globe. Confusing, because even the adults in their lives didn’t have many answers. Maybe even fun, at least when the possibility of school closing felt like a snow day. But for many, that novelty has given way to frustration, sadness, and even depression and anxiety. Just like adults, kids are wondering:…
As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the best children’s books of 2020. Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris (picture book) One day, Kamala and Maya had an idea. A big idea: they would turn their empty apartment courtyard into a playground! This is the uplifting tale of how the author’s aunt and mother first learned to persevere in the face of disappointment and turned…
Every classroom has its fair share of quiet students, and it’s all too easy for them to fade into the background. Quiet students tend not to participate in group discussions, but always deliver their homework on time. Clearly it’s not that they don’t know the answer–they just lack the confidence to express themselves in front of others. In one study, a staggering 1 in 5 school-age girls admitted to avoiding raising their hand in class…
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in reading. Dyslexic kids have trouble reading accurately and fluently. They may also have trouble with reading comprehension, spelling and writing. Raising a child with dyslexia is a journey. As you move through it, you’ll gain a lot of knowledge about your child’s challenges with reading—and about the many ways you can help her succeed at school and in life. If you’re concerned your child may be dyslexic, here…
When we listen to a lecture, we rely on our working memory to capture information. We must then process it and flag it for storage in long-term memory. Aptitude can sometimes be attributed to short-term memory capacity, which is why writing things down during note taking is a useful exercise that relieves the brain and creates an external record. It makes it easier for students to review at a later date and reinforce their memory…
The Internet is a fascinating collision of endless information and infinite danger. Do your kids know how to stay safe online? Even if you think they do, a refresher course wouldn’t hurt. Go over these 10 tips from Connect Safely with your children–it’s better to be safe than sorry. 1. Be your own person. Don’t let friends or strangers pressure you to be someone you aren’t. And know your limits. You may be internet savvy,…
Handwriting is something that many people let fall by the wayside in the digital age, but there is true artistic value and design in something as creative and intricate as handwriting. Even if you aren’t interested in this aspect of handwriting, it’s still of general use to make your writing legible to other people. If even you find it difficult to decipher your own handwriting, it’s time to make a change. Here’s how to do…
