Archive for July, 2008

by Iza del Carmen, MomAuthority.com

It’s never too early to lay the foundation for safe, healthy online habits! Parents can use their child’s innate curiosity, coupled with the desire to interact with others and manipulate his world, to begin exploring computers.

Many websites offer entertaining and educational activities that are visually appealing to toddlers. Explore them yourself in advance to determine which activities will be appropriate and interesting to your child.

Letting him control the mouse and push keys helps develop manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. More importantly, this is your first opportunity to establish your role as decision-maker in your child’s internet experience. Narrate your actions during computer time to emphasize proper computer use and appropriate choices.

Here are a few sites intended for toddlers:
www.noggin.com
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/
www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/
www.nickjr.com

The preschool years are a time of awe and wonder for the three and four year old who has discovered he is a separate self, capable of influencing the world around him. The primary developmental tasks at this age are to become socialized and to establish a sense of oneself as capable and significant. This is also the time when a child’s mind is wide open to learning of all kinds.

Just as you are helping your child learn the rules of society and accepted ways of behaving in social settings, begin teaching the rules of online interaction as well. Proper netiquette is an essential skill that all users must respect, in the same way that members of a real-world community adhere to certain standards. These rules ensure that all users are treated with respect and courtesy. They also provide for the safety of all members.

Your child’s dexterity, reasoning, and interactive capabilities are developing more quickly now, giving him the tools to participate more fully in the online experience. Choose sites that match your child’s skills and interest. Bookmark those sites, and teach your child how to access them under your supervision, log in, and start and play games.

As the child becomes more adept at navigating the computer world, you can use the opportunity to compliment good choices, explain what makes other choices less beneficial, and continue to establish and reinforce family rules for computer and internet use.

Many websites for preschoolers focus on educational activities. Listings of highly recommended websites can be found at:

www.wcfls.lib.wi.us/phpl/preschoolsites.htm
www.literacy.uconn.edu/pksites.htm
www.infogrid.com/preschool.htm

Establishing Safe Habits From An Early Age (c) 2008 MomAuthority.com

by Iza del Carmen, MomAuthority.com

The internet can provide entertainment, educational opportunities, and greater ease in managing family life. Here are some suggestions for making the most of the online world while keeping your young users safe.

Every household has its own values and beliefs that are reflected in the rules and procedures it follows. Internet use is no different. Parents can establish parameters for their children’s internet use that are an extension of what they believe is appropriate and useful. Think through what you want for your children, and just as importantly, what you don’t want, and be clear in your intentions as you begin to set up guidelines for your children. Let your own online experiences help you identify potential hazards as well as the highlights of the internet, then establish rules and procedures that uphold your intentions.

Many websites dedicated to internet safety for children advocate implementing family rules for computer use. These rules should be written down, discussed, and posted near the computer, and enforced at all times. An example of such a statement can be found at:
http://perpwatch.com/pdf/ChildSafetyOnTheInformationHighway.pdf

Kids really want us to know them, to have an interest in the things they do, and to be a very present part of their lives. They are more likely to communicate with you when they know you are open to what they have to say.

Naturally, you will redirect a child who is going down a dangerous path. But the child will be more inclined to tell you about that path in the first place if he does not fear recrimination. We all make mistakes. Parents who approach discipline in a positive way are able to “separate the sin from the sinner”, so to speak, and their children develop a sense of personal accountability much more readily.

Strive to make conversations an open exchange of ideas and experiences. When consequences are warranted – and that is a normal part of life, not just parenting – communicate your reasons for imposing restrictions. If you feel it is appropriate, let your child negotiate with you for a return of privileges when certain conditions are met. In this way, he learns what skills and traits comprise mature and responsible internet usage.

On a regular basis, techno-safe parents check their children’s internet activity. This includes email, website visit history, IM logs, and new posts to any websites your child frequents. Remember, this is not an invasion of privacy, but rather a precaution you take to ensure your child’s safety in an uncertain world.

How To Keep Your Family Safe From Online Threats (c) 2008 MomAuthority.com