8 Tips for the Best 8 Weeks
We kick off our summer blog series with a list of tips for helping your students make the most out of their summer when it comes to technology. Check out the list!
1. It’s ok to let kids keep in touch!
For those who aren’t driving yet, technology can be a great way to keep up with who’s traveling where, seeing which movies, and who the new kid at school will be in the fall. When students rode bikes all over town and met and the local swimming pool, keeping in touch wasn’t a problem. Times have changed, though, especially for independent school kids, who may not live near each other. Skype, text and social media can help kids keep those friendships growing over the summer.
2. Watch and talk, watch and talk.
Speaking of using social media and group texting, make sure you’re plugged in to whichever media your kids are using. For the younger set, 4th to 6th grades (or even older), make the rule that no passcodes go on devices unless you know what they are, and that you have the option to view all texts and social media. Be careful not to make swift judgments on friends and messages; rather, have an open conversation with your child about appropriateness. Take advantage of graphite.org. It’s a fabulous resource for reviews of movies, games, apps, and even provides information about online bullying and social media use for kids.
3. Give budding robotics engineers a chance to soar!
Let your kids try programming, coding, Kerbels Space Project, Minecraft Mods and more. If they enjoy working with computers, check out code.org. East Tennessee Code Academy has some wonderful workshops and resources, too. Summer is a great time for kids to dive deep into a topic they love.
4. Look for summer camps that combine technology with teamwork.
When signing children up for technology-related activities, look for camps that give them a chance to problem-solve and work in teams. While learning coding and computer skills are valuable, communicating with others and building friendships are equally so. When kids get a chance to work and play with like-minded friends, they can build lifelong friendships over the summer!
5. Encourage reading and writing, filming journaling etc. in digital formats.
iPads and other devices can easily act as journals, places to store poetry ideas, original melodies, and more. Let your children choose an app they like to write in daily. They can also use simple apps to create stop-motion movies (especially fun with Legos)!Teach your kids to see their device as more than just a tool for consumption, but something useful for creating original works.
6. Create a digital scrapbook with historical markers, photo collages and interviews.
Road trip? Family reunion? Ask your kids to be the official travelogue creators for the trip. They can take pictures, research historical markers, interview family members, and create a wonderful keepsake for the whole family!
7. Math refresher apps and sites – refreshers.
Just 10 minutes a day. That’s all. Create a list of apps and educational math practices games or sites your child can choose from to practice math facts throughout the summer. They’ll find the next grade so much easier to kick off if times tables and equations are fresh on their minds.
8. Create dedicated tech-free days or times…including you!
An unscheduled summer is a great time to talk with kids about intentional unplugging. Half an hour on a game can quickly become an hour or more without an adult keeping an eye on the time. Teach kids to use timers and create boundaries around when devices go back on their chargers – and comply with the rules yourself! Pinterest, work email and all the rest can wait. These days will be gone before you know it. Go catch some fireflies with your kids!