The Influential Parent

In this episode, we switch gears a bit and talk about our real little ones, specifically supporting language development with preschool-age kids. We have a special guest, Michelle Jordan, who works with this age group in our school district. She shares an overview of the current data regarding preschoolers Post-COVID and why oral language is so critical for our kids. Listen in and learn some strategies and routines you can build at home to support pre-literacy skills.

Check out the website for some activities and resources you can use to support good speech, language, and communication skills at home.

We continue our summer series with some stop-motion action. Get ready for a wild ride into the world of stop-motion videos, where ordinary objects come to life and imagination knows no limits. It's like playing director with your favorite toys, creating a mini-movie masterpiece right at your fingertips.

Check out Educational App Store for the apps discussed in this podcast.

During the school year, students have access to classroom and school libraries; but what about during the summer? In this episode, Nikki and Amanda discuss two popular and widely available apps to help kids stay connected with books to increase reading and decrease the "summer slide."

Our 2nd episode in our summer series is about Geocaching. Geocaching offers a unique way to explore the outdoors, discover hidden places, and engage in a worldwide treasure hunt. It appeals to people of all ages and abilities, from families seeking outdoor adventures to seasoned adventurers looking for a new challenge. The activity promotes physical activity, problem-solving, and navigation skills while fostering a sense of community among geocachers. Listen to this episode as we discuss what it is and enjoy listening to Amanda's first experience with Geocaching.

New to Geocaching? Here is a link for more information and to download the app on your phone.

Social Media is becoming more and more popular among our teenagers. We are also more aware of the mental impacts of Social Media on teens. This episode shares some guidelines and basic rules to help you teach your child how to use social media responsibly and safely. This episode is appropriate if your teen is already using Social Media or is getting started.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Think back to 2001 and those old flip phones you used to use (and may still be in your attic somewhere!) Is it time to dig them out and dust them off? According to some TikTok and YouTube influencers... YES! The hashtag #bringbackflipphones has over 38 million views on TikTok, and Gen Z-ers are seeing possibilities in this retro tech. Tune in as Amanda and Nikki talk about why flip phone sales are on the rise, and the potential benefits to #bringingbackflipphones!

Sources:

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tim Swick, The Computer Immersion Magnet Lead at Sandlapper Elementary School. He shares how his teachers and students have used the popular game, Minecraft, in school. Using Minecraft Education in the classroom has engaged students in learning and building future-ready skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and systems thinking. It is pretty interesting to hear just how much our children are learning through "play."

See below for more information about the school or contact Dr. Swick.

Are you looking for a way to use your (& your child's) device to CONTRIBUTE to the internet, not just consume content? (And no, we won't be telling you to make a TikTok video!) Dr. Ed Emmer, our local Science Superhero, joins us this week as we talk about Citizen Science and ways for you and your family to use your devices to contribute to scientific endeavors around the globe... from where ever you happen to be!

You can reach Dr. Emmer by email at: eemmer@richland2.org

Resources from our episode:

If you haven't heard about this new personal assistant, ChatGPT, listen in as Nikki and Amanda talk with Chuck Holland, Director of Instructional Technology, about this new AI website. This episode will highlight what it is, and the potential uses for personal, career, and educational needs. 

For our next episode, we’re continuing the conversation about the “B” word… Bullying. Bullying and Cyberbullying are important topics to talk about with our kids. Listen to what some local teens have to tell Amanda and Nikki about “The B Word.”

Remember growing up playing with Legos or Lincoln Logs? Maybe you are one that still dabbles in building with Legos. Yes, we know there are many adults that build Legos and we are good with it. It taps into your creative side so we think it's great. This is pretty much what Minecraft is - a 3D world where our kids are building anything they imagine. Tune into the latest podcast episode and learn more about this game our kids are playing.

What is all this buzz going around about Roblox? What is Roblox and should I be concerned if my kids are playing it? In this spotlight episode, Amanda and Nikki discuss this 3D Virtual platform that allows them to share experiences with friends and play games that were created by users their age. 

Resources:

Welcome to our first “Spotlight On” episode, a series where we will be discussing some of the most popular apps and games with our kids.  This week we’ll be talking about Fortnite, a downloadable game where players are dropped onto islands where they battle each other to collect supplies… and to be the last player standing!  Join us as we talk about why kids like this game, and what parents might want to know as they make their decision about whether or not to allow their child to play Fortnite.

Resources:

With devices going home for the summer in our district, we wanted to take some time to share some tips for parents that will help them set some guidelines for technology use over the summer. We also encourage you to go to your school's website to locate the summer resource page, allowing your child to continue their learning over the summer. Here is another resource to locate camps for your child(ren) to participate in throughout the summer.

Family Media Plans are a great way for families to develop some rules or guidelines for using devices and have everyone on the same page about the healthy and powerful ways to use technology. We cannot assume that everyone knows what is appropriate and what is not. So it is important to have expectations even for families so there is a common understanding for all family members. Listen in to find out where you can start and a few topics to consider as you build your family plan.

Click here to see Common Sense Media's example of a Family Media Plan. 

Our first episode starts with ideas of what to talk about with your children and how to talk to your children about technology. Listen in so you can start your journey for healthy digital behaviors with a few tips. Click on the link for more ways to become more comfortable having conversations with your child(ren).