Annual Guide to Schools Blog

Today many parents are the first generation of Internet parents, and a large number find that they are at the bottom of the learning curve when it comes to the Internet and how it is being used today. As the Internet continually broadens with new applications and digital tools, it further serves its reputation as an invaluable device for educating and learning-but not without risks.

In being a parent, there is the responsibility of teaching a child how to refrain from falling into the web’s entanglements while extracting its goods. By guiding a child to understand how to make smart choices both online and off, parents can help their child(ren) take full advantage of the Internet’s resources. To do that, parents must keep up to speed with technology and step into their child’s online world.

To help parents better understand the Internet’s use today, we have produced a list of ways that children and young adults utilize the Internet, and have included what parents should know, and do.

Studying Online

For students who have an assignment that needs research or a question that needs answering, the Internet is frequently the first, and only, stop. As students progress from elementary to junior high, from junior high to high school, and from high school to post secondary, school assignments may require simple web searches, to more in-depth observational reports with the use of online resources, including copy, images and videos. The number of children that spend time discussing schoolwork online transcends the number of children that spend time downloading music and videos online, according to the report “Creating & Connecting: Research and Guidelines to Online Social—and Educational— Networking”. The National School Boards Association also released research, uncovering that of the 1,277 9-to-17-year olds, 1,039 parents, and 250 school district leaders
evaluated, 59 per cent spend time discussing education-related topics, “including college or college planning; learning outside of school; news; careers or jobs; politics; idea, religion, or morals; and schoolwork”.

Summer has come to an end and your young students will be forced to wake up on schedule once again and follow a regular routine. This regular routine unfortunately means chaos and angry mornings for many families. Having a non-negotiable routine in place for your children can save you plenty of morning headaches. It’s the absence of discipline and consequences and an abundance of freedom that creates a sense of confusion and ultimately arguments in the mornings. To avoid these highly stressful mornings try implementing some of the ideas below into your everyday routine.

Summer is obviously an extremely happy time for students. It’s a whole two months for them to kick back, relax and not worry about homework, assignments, waking up early and the assortment of other things that you hear your kids complaining about. However, summer can sometimes cause added stress for parents. If you are a working parent, you have to worry about finding childcare or activities to keep your children occupied during work hours.

It’s no secret that a child’s home is the first most important school they will ever have, where parents (a child’s primary and most enduring educator) play a major role in the education and future success of their child.
 
As a parent you always want what is best for your child—in all areas of life—especially when it comes to academics. One way of doing so is by building a rich vocabulary through active learning, which is important in developing strong reading, writing and communication skills.
 
Some ways in doing so include: