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An internship is one of the most thrilling aspects of a student’s life. It is a program designed to give students a real-world experience of the field they are majoring in. Some colleges and universities include internships into their requirements to earn a degree. Some students apply for an internship program even if their degrees don’t require it. Those who want to gain experience in their chosen industries will do well applying classroom theories in a real-life setting.

Aside from the soft and hard skills you will learn, around 43% of interns have also received job offers at the end of the program. If you impress the company enough with your knowledge and work ethic, you may find yourself with a job contract even before you officially graduate. So, with that in mind, internships can bring a lot of pressure.

Treat It Like a Job

And why shouldn’t you? Interns usually receive a stipend or allowance from the company where they are undergoing training. You can enroll in an SGUnited Skills programme, too, wherein participants are given training allowance and other benefits. Along with an allowance, you also have the opportunity to learn industry-relevant skills that will improve your employability once you are ready to join the workforce.

Even though these programs usually last between six months to a year, treat it as if you’re going to be there for the long haul. Don’t be late and do what you’re supposed to do. No one expects you to be perfect, but always come to work with the mindset of a winner.

Be a Little Extra

Some workplaces are so busy that they don’t mind the interns not doing anything. Don’t just sit on the corner and browse your news feed. Reach out to the workers and offer whatever help you can do. Even if it’s the simplest task in the office such as filing papers, take that opportunity to help. You want them to remember you as someone who took the initiative to help the office, and not just that intern who twiddled his thumbs.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

There is no stupid question when you want to learn. In journalism, reporters who ask the simplest and most basic questions are always the brightest. They’re the ones who can make a great report because they know how to clarify things instead of making assumptions. Take the time to chat with your coworkers about the company, industry, and the work they do. Ask all the questions you can and store that information for future use.

Set Specific Goals

What skills do you want to learn during the internship? What are the specific areas in your learning that you need to improve on? Talk about this with your supervisor. They will love to know that you have goals you want to reach. That will also help them guide you throughout the duration of the program.

Make New Connections

The internship is not only a valuable program that will teach you the ins and outs of the industry that you want to join. It is also a golden opportunity to make new connections and expand your network. The people you will meet in the program are the same ones that you will probably work with in the future. Ask for their contact information and keep in touch with them.

A good internship program will shape your knowledge and improve your skills. But more than that, you should also do your part by contributing to the company and working on the tasks assigned to you. Witnessing the ins and outs of the industry you plan to be a part of will give you a better understanding of what you will get yourself into.

Some people make decisions about their careers based on emotions. You need to gather information about the courses you would want to pursue in college before making the ultimate decision. If you have no clear idea about your career path, don’t worry. Many people face this challenge. Below is a list of top courses that are in demand globally and could help you make a more informed decision.

1. Computer Information Systems Courses

As technology innovations continue to get more attention and diversity across the globe, computer majors seem to be gaining popularity in the job market. Nearly every company, industry, and department depends on computer information systems to function. There’s an endless list of opportunities for individuals with computer majors and even a brighter future as technology continues to evolve by the day.

2. Engineering Courses

Engineering is a broad field that puts scientific concepts into practice. It consists of various subsets such as mechanical, electrical, marine, aeronautical, computer, and petroleum, among others. If you want to become an electrical engineer, you could take an electrical trade qualification course. The engineering field presents an endless list of opportunities as the world demands more innovations to make life easier.

3. Nursing

Individuals born with a passion for making the world a better place, particularly through caring for the sick, would get fulfillment in trying out nursing courses. Nurses have, over the years, been known to have steady employment. With the fast-growing population, the demand for nurses continues to grow by the day. You will need to pursue a nursing course to qualify as a licensed nurse.

4. Building and Construction Management

With the growing population, people need housing as part of their basic needs. Construction managers are ever in demand, prompted mainly by the mushrooming of real estate development projects. A bachelor’s degree in construction management is offered in many top institutions and demanded worldwide, especially in developing areas. You may choose to go with residential or commercial markets depending on your liking.

5. Law Degrees

Do you want to change history and participate in the law-making processes to bring justice to the world? Maybe you should choose a legal course. A law degree gives you the opportunity to study rules, regulations, and laws that govern a state, business, or a specific community. There are numerous sub-disciplines and specializations, such as criminal, personal injury, and family law, to choose from after completing your degree.

6. Business Courses

Business courses are undeniably one of the most diverse and in-demand subjects. If you have always wanted to venture into entrepreneurship at one point in your life, you might want to explore some business courses on offer.

They range from marketing degrees, supply chain and logistics majors, risk management courses, finance majors, accounting, and auditing. Evaluate your area of interest in the business field and pick a course that will push you closer to your dreams and goals.

7. Fashion Design Courses

Do you love studying fashion and developing hot fashion designs? Perhaps you just can’t keep yourself from following fashion trends, accessories, and clothing. If you have a keen eye for fashion, you can transform this interest into a career by bagging a degree in fashion design. Select institutions that produce the best designers and work on being a fashion designer, brand manager, fashion journalist, or a fashion critic.

8. Medical Courses

What would the world do without medical doctors? More healthcare providers are hiring medical doctors and assistants every year. The course allows you to continue your education while practicing medicine in pursuit of specialization. You will be required to earn a medical degree and finish your residency before practicing medicine.

Have you been wondering what course to sign up for that guarantees future stability? Explore any of these options to see what suits your interests.

Big Decisions, Major Changes

Living independently can be exciting and challenging at the same time. The prospect of leaving your parents’ place will give you apprehensions about your future, but it will also help you discover your potentials. You get to explore the world as you are: a person with a unique set of skills, capabilities, and talents. However, living independently requires facing a lot of responsibilities. You have to make decisions and choices on your own because the journey is yours alone to take.

By choosing to live independently, you are opening yourself to many major changes in your life. You get to make all the decisions on your own, and you only have yourself to rely on. Things that used to not bother you, like paying your bills and budgeting your money, will soon become essential tasks you need to master. How do you manage everything on your own from here? Let’s find out.

Alone at Last

Moving out of your parents’ place can seem like the epitome of liberty. You now get to enjoy your life without having to worry about asking for permission to stay out late or waiting for your parents’ approval before going out. Once you move out, you get to do things your way. You can party all you want, travel all you want, and enjoy life all you want until reality sinks in. Sooner or later, you have to face the loneliness of living alone.

Eventually, you notice that you have many chores to do, errands to run, and responsibilities to attend to. Your dirty laundry won’t clean itself, your place will not clean up after your mess, and your bills will not disappear like magic. By this time, you might have second thoughts about living independently. This is a normal feeling. The first thing you need to do is come up with a plan. Start by defining what you want.

A Job and A Place to Call Home

Once you live independently, you have to support yourself. This means that you have to earn money to meet all of your expenses. This includes expenses for your needs and also the things that you want. To secure your future, you need to find a well-paying, stable job and invest in the essential things you need to live comfortably. You need to invest in a place to live in, and you can also invest in a car if you like.

Finding a job can be challenging, but you can always use your skills and capabilities to your advantage. Finding a decent and safe place to live can also be difficult, especially if your financial resources are running low. However, you will be able to adjust to all your expenses eventually. You have to persevere and work hard to sustain a comfortable living condition.

Wise Investments

Once you find a job and settle in a place to live, you have to think of economical ways to lower your expenses. One important thing to consider is the expenses you would have to allot to traveling. Since you have to go to work daily, you need to consider whether investing in a car is a good idea. After all, it is important to save money without compromising comfort and safety.

If you decide to invest in a car, you need to have a driver’s license. This means you need to invest in driving lessons. If you find that your schedule is hectic enough because of your work, you can choose to take online driving courses to help you get a driver’s license. For example, a learner’s permit is evidence that you can take driving courses and take your exams online, too. This is a convenient and efficient way of securing a driver’s license. Next thing you know, you are driving around the city in your car. You have saved important resources such as time and money and invested in your safety and convenience.

Finances and Other Resources

Living on your own also means that you are responsible for your finances and all your resources. You need to invest in your health and manage your time well. This way, you get to establish a healthy work-life balance that will guarantee a happy life. You have to remember that you are working to support yourself. This means that you also have to make room for happiness and satisfaction in your life.

Living independently can be very challenging but accomplishing it is very rewarding. You get to discover a lot of things about yourself. You also learn a lot of valuable life lessons that you can only gain from personal experience. Therefore, when you decide to live independently, you have to be willing to sacrifice and work hard to succeed on your own.

Perhaps for most of 2020, your family had been cooped up in your home. Children took their classes online, while their playground was in the yard. If space is small, then they spent most of their time on different screens, watching movies on Netflix or playing video games. You might have taken occasional walks at a nearby park, but that’s about it.

Fortunately, now the vaccine is already available, 2021 might spell better days, especially for the kids. As parents, you already get to plan their activities for the summer — some play and socialization they can do outdoors.

1. Enroll Them in a Summer Camp

Because of the pandemic, many summer camps had to cancel their activities or shut their doors to practice social distancing and follow state protocols. In 2021, they are more likely to open if more Americans receive their vaccinations or the number of cases goes down significantly.

Children who are about 8 years old and above can already enroll in a summer camp. While the activities can vary, they are likely to learn to play games, do arts and crafts, and, most of all, socialize with other kids. They can make new friends, which they might have failed to do in 2020.

Some organizations have summer camp programs, but if you want to feel more confident and secure, ask a daycare center if they have one.

2. Take Them on a Road Trip

When you had spent the majority of your time in 2020 inside the home, then make a road trip a part of your family’s to-do list in 2021.

If you want to take your RV or car across Utah, Wanderlust has a collection of some of the best routes. It will take you across gorgeous national parks, scenic roads, and even mountain resorts. You can decide how long you want to travel. Some take only a few days, while others can last for weeks.

You can also take your vehicle farther to nearby states like Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and California. Covering more places will help your children experience lots of interesting activities during the summer months.

3. Engage Them in Sports

Summer is also one of the best seasons to get your children engaged in sports. It can help compensate for their lack of physical activity in 2020.

Moreover, a 2019 study by the University of Montreal revealed that sports help children adjust later in life. Kids around 6 years old who participate in an organized physical activity might develop better emotion regulation when they reach 12 years old.

Meanwhile, in a 2010 research, young teens who played sports reported feeling happier and healthier about life. They were not only physically fit but were also more emotionally and mentally stable.

4. Expose Them to the Arts

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of not only adults but also children. According to Psychiatric Times, many kids as young as 7 years old from different countries reported feeling anxious, uncertain, and depressed.

The year 2021 might be one of the best times to help them release their pent-up negative emotions. One option is to expose them to the arts, such as music, theater, and writing.

These activities can help them share their feelings and thoughts with children who are also going through the same thing. Multiple studies also show that music can reduce stress levels and even signs of anxiety and depression.

No doubt, 2020 was hard for everyone, especially for children. The young ones might have less ability to regulate their emotions. By thinking of the better days ahead, you can help lower their stress level and build their sense of hope.

When we look for positives to the ongoing situation we have right now, there are quite a lot. You might consider one of them being home school is the new cool. It’s not in the repetition of day-to-day, but in what you do, that makes home school exciting.

Some people see home school as monotonous, and you can’t blame them. The prospect of going to school without seeing anyone can be boring. There are also the many cam-to-cam chat sessions that most students and teachers undergo, not to mention not going anywhere when the day is through.

That being said, there are a lot of things you can do to keep your child’s home school sessions fun, whether they’re in preschool or already a senior raring to go to college. If you’re interested to find out which these are, read on.

Small Garden Planting: Teach About Health and the Environment

For the younger crowd, discovering new things is simply precious. If you have a little one or even a sixth-grader, you’ll want to teach them about preserving the environment and healthy living through planting a Small Garden. Small gardens are easy to maintain and the crops you can use for these have a double purpose.

When you plant vegetables, eventually, when you harvest them, you can prepare them for your family and even have your kids eating healthy. Who knows? You might even enjoy bonding with your children while doing this activity, which can also be a Zen-like experience for you after work (remotely).

Rent a Telescope: Teach About Space

If you want them to get interested in space or are introducing to them our solar system, you can teach them the basics about Outer Space through a quick trip to the planetarium. You can also introduce them to movies and documentaries about how our solar system works.

For something refreshing, you can rent out metal detectors and go around. Who knows, you might have a rogue meteorite sitting around in your backyard! You can also borrow or rent a telescope to give them a closer look at the stars and the surrounding planets.

Minecraft or Building Blocks: Teach About Creativity

Foster creativity by making your kids Create. Buy some building blocks to let them create their own structures. This is also helpful if they’re studying Math with angles, or even when they’re trying to visualize a building or a castle.

Speaking of creating something or using blocks to teach in home school, the popular game Minecraft has released an edition called the Education Edition (EE). Since Minecraft is basically building blocks rendered online, students of the home school can go on this app to learn how to build or different concepts. Kids won’t also feel bored, since Minecraft is a popular game played by many. They may even be playing it!

Take a Bike Ride or Walk Around: Teach About Personal Health

At the end of the day, it also pays to Exercise after sitting around for so long. Even during lunch, you and your kids could go out for a quick walk or bike ride around the neighborhood. During these walks and rides, discuss what you’ve just gone through.

You’ll find that these mini exercises could help your children become more alert and active during the resumption of home school. It will also give them something to look forward to when home school’s over—a good bonding experience with you, their parent.

Home school requires active participation for most people at home, the students (your children) learning online, and you, as their overseer. You are also an extension of the educator teaching them online. Consider studying alongside them to be updated with current concepts and modern lessons. You’ll find that it’s not only them that’s getting a learning session during home school; it’s also a refresher for you too, in some way.

There’s been some recent progress in the COVID-19 vaccine. So there’s also been growing hope in things getting back to normal. This includes the education of our children. It’s only a matter of time until students and teachers are using classroom furniture and facilities again. All of these things enhance the teaching and learning experience.

But we know that not everything will go back to how it was before. The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things in the long run. Perhaps, these changes may even be permanent. In education, these are the possible changes that the pandemic may have caused.

The Prevailing Digital Movement

Schools have shifted to remote learning. This is due to the quarantine restrictions and social distancing that were put in place. They’ve grown heavily reliant on the Internet and digital resources.

Instead of using the chalkboard or whiteboard, teachers and students used the Google Jamboard to scribble their notes. Students used their iPads and Apple Pencils to compute math problems during graded recitations.

Instead of handing out printed copies of their essays and other written assignments, students submitted via email. Teachers also got the hang of checking and making annotations on their papers in a digital manner.

These are just some of the many examples of how schools have utilized technology for remote learning. Even if they all go back to the classroom after the pandemic has passed, there’s a huge possibility that they’d still be reliant on technology.

Many Students Not Returning to School

Remote learning has forced many households across the world to shift to become a proper venue for homeschooling. Many parents struggled with helping their children keep up with their studies. Thus, they’re looking forward to their children going back to school. But many other parents have embraced their newfound role as teachers. Because of this, many of them are more inclined to retain the homeschooling setup. As such, their children may not need to return to school anymore.

However, it’s a different matter for teens and other young adults. They may choose not to return to school as well but for a different reason. Many of their parents have lost their jobs during the pandemic. This urged young adults to step up and help with the household expenses. Many of them, especially from low-income communities, struggled with remote learning anyway. They didn’t have a stable internet connection and proper computers. So they opted to apply for jobs instead. Because of this, probably, they may never go back to school anymore.

Unfair Discrepancies Between Students During Standardized Exams

There are standardized exams for students at the same level all over the world. Of course, the most popular is the Scholastic Assessment Test or more commonly known as the SAT. High school juniors usually take this test during their spring semester. But some students take it earlier or later. The SAT has a major impact on students’ academic standing and college applications. Most, if not all, colleges and universities take the results of this exam very seriously.

But remote learning has changed how students would prepare for such an exam. There’s been the recent popularity of more competency-based learning. It’s when students learn what they can at their own pace. It’s ideal during a pandemic where the circumstances vary on each household–thus, having a major effect on a student’s education.

But this learning style would mean that some students would be disadvantaged during standardized tests such as the SATs. Those fortunate with digital learning tools and private tutors would have the most advantage. As such, students from low-income communities would fall behind.

Many of us parents have been worrying about our children’s education ever since the pandemic started. They’ve been struggling with getting the hang of digital learning. We know that they’re missing the constant and reassuring guidance of their teachers. We fear that they’ve been falling behind on their studies.

With the looming effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our children’s education, we must be more mindful of their education and help them get back on track.

Although providing a good salary and a set of benefits can motivate employees to work better and stay in your team, it turns out they don’t top the list of motivating factors. Instead, the top factors are motivation and recognition. Many business owners know they need to ensure their team stays engaged, motivated, and loyal to your company — and here are six strategies to drive motivation and help your employees grow.

Provide Rewards to Your Employees

If you want to keep your best talent and keep them motivated, it’s worth providing an incentive program. These can be anything, from quarterly bonuses to personal goals. You can offer to pay for their classes with piano and music teachers,  and even college courses for a specified period. Generally, if employees know they’ll get rewarded for doing a good job, they’ll likely to improve their performance and stay to see things through.

Practice Supportive Leadership

As an executive, you need to be supportive of your employees. If you show trust to your employees and lend a sympathetic ear, it can help them stay focused and drive them to discover new skills. Besides that, you need to identify what changes and support your workers need to ensure their well-being and drive their performance at its peak, streamlining their routines.

Empower Each Worker

As a leader, you need to ensure every team member feels valued as an individual. That’s why you need to give your workforce the chance to express themselves. So, encourage your staff to share their aspirational personal goals. Doing this helps them feel more comfortable and appreciated, motivating them and making their work routines easier. ;

Be Transparent

Knowing how business is going can make your workers more invested in the company, so it’s best to share this information with them regularly. Allowing them to know these details makes your employees feel like an important part of the company and see areas they can improve on.

Establish a Positive Working Environment

Most working professionals spend their time at the office. That’s why you need to ensure the workplace is an environment that places employees at ease while improving their productivity. For you to achieve this, encourage your team to show their knowledge and information, meaning you should do more listening than talking. Establishing an open environment can make them feel more comfortable and bring them out of their comfort zone, ultimately improving growth and efficiency.

Recognize Achievements

Although a high salary is a great thing to have, in some cases, most employees only want some recognition for their achievements in the workplace. If you notice a worker placing a lot of time and effort on a project or going out their way to help out their peers, praise them. That’s because when people feel like their hard work is being recognized and appreciated, they usually find the drive to continue working harder than those who feel like their long hours and personal sacrifices were all for nothing.

Whether it’s thanking an employee privately, or announcing their contributions in meetings, showing gratitude to hardworking employees can go a long way.

When you hire a great team and manage them well, you’ll have yourself a workforce characterized by superb performance and continuous growth. The strategies mentioned can help you motivate your employees to perform their best and encourage them to stay — allowing them to grow alongside your business.

Without a doubt, parenting is hard. You deal with different types of stress, from rowdy kids to work-related things. But things may get more difficult when you decide to become a college student. However, do not always dwell on the stressful side of this pursuit. You need to inspire yourself – just a little reminder, thousands of parents finish their college degrees every year.

Knowing that securing a college degree will help you secure a much better future for you and your family. So, it would be best if you worked harder and smarter. You can reach your goals, but for that to happen, you should know how to manage your load.

Here are some of the things you may want to keep in mind:

Follow a schedule

Time is your main asset as a parent and as a college student. Knowing that, you should find ways how to maximize it and make sure that every second counts. You can do just that by creating a practical schedule. This way, you will have an idea where your time is being spent. Creating a schedule will also help you identify and sort out your priorities, which ultimately results in an efficient workflow. If you succeed in doing this, you will realize how much time you have saved.

Seek help from your family and friends

You need to remember that you are not alone in this pursuit. Your family and friends are rooting for you. And they can provide help or assistance whenever you need it. So, when things seem overwhelming, do not hesitate to seek your loved ones’ help. For instance, if you have an upcoming exam and you need to review things thoroughly, you can have your kids taken care of by your parents. If this is not possible, you may hire a babysitter. While you’re at it, work with a home cleaning service, as you will not be able to attend to some housework in the meantime.

Take care of yourself

You surely want to perform well in your studies, but you will not be able to put your best foot forward when you’re always tired and stressed. You will have to take care of yourself. Do not skip meals, and make sure that you’re eating high-fiber food. Increase energy and alertness by exercising regularly. More importantly, get enough sleep, as this helps you improve memory retention and concentration.

Consider going to an online college

Going to a traditional college may be a practical choice, especially if your workplace is just close to it. But if you want to save time and money, you may want to consider online education. Online colleges provide flexibility, something that parents will need. They may also provide some special arrangements to make sure that you are always on track with your lessons.

You can do it!

Being both a parent and a college student is surely not easy. But you can at least lighten your load by being organized. You should know your priorities, and you must make sure that your expectations are realistic.

Medical school is tough enough as it is even before the pandemic has forced educational systems to switch to online learning. And although online learning can be challenging for any student, difficult topics in medical school are often better explained in in-person classes. Nevertheless, keeping up this system of learning is crucial to keep people safe from the virus, as is with other physical distancing guidelines.

Whether you are studying in one of the top-performing osteopathic medical schools or just about to start your freshman year, it is imperative that you know how to handle distance learning while the pandemic situation is still uncertain. Here are some tips that can make online medical school less challenging for you.

Improve your time management skills

One of the keys to succeeding in medical school, whether online or not, is good time management skills. The ability to divide and organize your time between your priorities is what will help you accomplish your work on time while avoiding burnout due to cramming. Moreover, proper time management in medical school will help ensure that every assignment is done with full effort, as opposed to rushing through it when the deadline is fast approaching.

Eliminate distractions

There are more distractions when taking online classes than there are when going to school in-person. Smartphones, Netflix, family members, and social media are just some of the common sources of distractions for students taking online classes, not to mention the distractions that are out of your control, such as bad weather and neighborhood noise.

While you can’t eliminate all of the distractions around you, you can minimize them to the best of your ability. Turn off your phone during classes, close the door to your bedroom, wear noise-canceling headphones, clear your desk from clutter. The fewer distractions you have, the better you will be able to focus on lessons, which is crucial especially in medical school.

Reach out to your classmates

If there is anybody who understands what you are going through, it’s going to be your classmates. Your peers know how hard it is studying medicine, let alone taking online classes. Hence, they will be the first people who can offer emotional, social, and academic support while you’re all trying to keep up with classes.

Connect with your classmates both inside and outside of online school. Form study groups through video conferencing platforms, start a file sharing drive where you can send academic resources to each other, reach out when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and encourage others to talk to you when they need help. While you may not be seeing each other in person, there are still a lot of ways to connect virtually, at least for now.

Communicate with your professors

In medical school, it is crucial that you ask for clarification from your professors if there is something that you don’t understand, or if you just simply have trouble keeping up with the class in general. It can be intimidating to ask your professors during classes, and if you can’t speak up during the session, reserve your questions and e-mail them to the professor instead.

If necessary, don’t be afraid to ask for a one-on-one session to address whatever it is you’re having trouble with. Your professors will likely be more than willing to help. However, keep in mind that they’re having trouble with the current situation as well, so be sure to message during business hours and avoid taking up more of their time than necessary.

Organize your files

Medical students often have tons of reading material to pore over on a regular basis. To make it easier for you to accomplish your readings on time, organize your files into separate labeled folders as soon as you download them.

Distance learning is the reality that we are facing right now. But despite the challenges of this type of system, you can still achieve academic success by learning how to handle those challenges effectively, starting with the tips mentioned above.

Kids are spending more time with their gadgets now more than ever. A study found that children’s screen time has increased by 500 percent during the pandemic. This increase is almost unavoidable, especially since many are attending their online classes.

Aside from distance learning, screen time has also soared because of parents relying on digital media to babysit their children. Many parents juggle household chores and remote work duties, which makes it difficult for them to care for their kids more proactively.

However, excessive gadget use can cause various consequences for children. It can lead to poor eyesight, sleeping difficulties, and even development problems.

Keep in mind that not all screen time is equal. You can find ways to make sure your children use their gadgets in ways that engage them mentally or even physically.

Here are three ways to encourage productive and healthy screen time for your kids.

1. Choose high-quality educational media and platforms

Don’t give your children complete control over the content they consume. Help them choose media that’s worthwhile and mentally engaging. For instance, preschoolers can benefit from shows like Sesame Street, which has been proven to help kids learn about numbers, words, and other key life concepts.

There are also platforms that offer engaging educational materials that can keep your child occupied while you tend to some household chores. Gemiini, for example, uses play-based learning to teach reading, speech, and social skills. This clinically proven program also offers online video sessions and teaching tools for kids with special needs.

Another way to tie screen time and learning is to find educational media that match your child’s interests. If your 6-year-old son is fond of dinosaurs, find an age-appropriate video explaining the existence and extinction of the species.

2. Prioritize creation over consumption

Instead of passively watching videos, encourage your children to interact with technology in more creative ways. This way, their mind stays engaged, resulting in productive screen time.

Many apps teach kids of different ages to color, draw, write their own songs, or even play musical instruments. Older kids can also use their tablets or smartphones to film and edit home videos that they can share with extended family members. This activity not only teaches them a new skill, but it also gives your children a chance to bond with family members they might not have seen in a while due to the pandemic.

3. Use media with your children

Lastly, consume digital content with your children. It can be hard to dedicate time for this, but it would be significantly beneficial for your child if you join them in watching educational videos. You can help them understand what’s going on in the video and make connections with the real world to enrich their viewing experience.

In one study, 75 percent of 3-year-olds who watched Dora the Explorer thought that the Spanish words in the show weren’t real. These children were less likely to learn from the show.

When you join your kids in watching videos, you can answer any questions they have about the show. These are teachable moments that you shouldn’t miss because they allow you to shape your child’s character and help them learn more about life in general.

Plus, one great thing about joint media engagement is that it doesn’t require that much energy from you, compared to playtime or study time. You can watch a show or listen to an e-book together while you do simple tasks, like emailing or folding laundry.

Managing your kids’ screen time is vital to protecting their well-being. It will help shape them into well-rounded individuals and uphold their safety online. Parents should have a good sense of what their kids are doing online — not just to prevent consequences, but also to protect them from harmful media and strangers on the internet.