Tag: child

Protecting our Children Online

twhimsLeave a comment

Protecting our Children OnlineYesterday I received an email from my son’s elementary school principal informing parents that the school had an online safety presentation for their fourth and fifth grade students.  When asked how many of the students had spoken to someone whom they knew was a stranger online, about half of the children raised their hands.

WOW! That is scary!

As parents, we have been instilling the life lesson of “Stranger Danger” in our children from the time they were toddlers.  “Don’t speak to a stranger,” “Never get in a car with someone you don’t know,” and other important rules we implore our children follow to keep them safe.

Yet, HALF of these nine to eleven year olds admitted to talking to a stranger online. Mrs. Smith, Principal at Angelo L. Tomaso School in Warren, New Jersey urged parents to help by stating, “We need to work together to remain informed, diligent, and ahead of the game to guide our kids through their world of social media.”

Another abuse of social media is Cyber bullying. I’m curious as to how many of those fourth and fifth grade students would have raised their hands to indicate if they have been bullied online – or how many Middle and High Schoolers?

Our First Lady has pledged to work toward putting an end to bullying on social media. Mrs. Trump states, “We have to find a better way to talk to each other, to disagree with each other, to respect each other.”  (usatoday.com).  As parents, it is our job to teach our children this better way.

Keeping our children safe is paramount, both on and off-line. We need to help our children navigate technology, which includes video games, social media, and online chat rooms, in a way that will help, not hurt.

Below we have listed several ways to talk to your child about online safety. It’s never too early to discuss these strategies with your child. Openly talking with your child on a regular basis is key to keeping your child safe.

Discussion Topics for Online Safety:

  • Make the real World /Cyber World Connection: Instruct your children that if it’s not permitted in the “real world” it should not be done in the “Cyber World” i.e.: sharing personal information, making fun of someone, showing inappropriate photos of self or someone else.
  • Protect your Privacy: Never share your personal information online, including age, address, phone number, birthday.Allow your child to understand that he/she must tell you if someone is asking for this information online.
  • Know When to Let Go: Let your child know that if he/she is uncomfortable with anything presented online, it is encouraged to immediately leave that site and inform a parent or teacher.
  • Be Approachable: It is extremely important that your child understand that you are there to support and help him/her with any and all online issues. Allow your child to feel comfortable and secure when telling you details of online play.
  • Online Play to Stay: Create a list of rules with your child to help him stay safe online. Include sites and topics that are “green light” – can be used without adult guidance, “yellow light” – an adult needs to be present/an adult needs to be called to review and “red light” – sites and topics that are not to be viewed or discussed.

Online safety and Cyber bullying are topics discussed during our Hero Assembly. For more information about our program, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com

Imagination Character Taking Shape

Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Play-Doh’s slogan: “Imagination taking shape”

Our (very unofficial) slogan: “Character taking shape” – we’re molding “Cape Kids” here, people!

As we’ve just left the starting line of 2014 and school semesters have yet to unfold, now is the perfect time to check in with your kids on…well – life.

I recently gave the executives for whom I provide leadership coaching advice on how to consider making and accomplishing their 2014 New Year’s resolutions (unfortunately for many of us, these goals start AND end as ideas). But adults aren’t the only ones who can greatly benefit from stopping to reflect and recalibrate.

No matter the heart of their ambition – improving grades, meeting more friends, growing spiritually, earning a spot on a sports team, getting involved in the community via Scouts or other volunteer work, etc – kids will have a much higher chance of self-fulfillment if they realize where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there.

Adapted from my executive coaching for equally important “Cape Kid” coaching, below are tips that can help you guide your kids to set targets and hit them.

How to Help Your “Cape Kids” Establish and Reach Goals in 2014

1. Ask your child, “What would make you happier?” It might be having a leadership position in a club at school, making new friends, being proud of his or her report card, or learning to play an instrument. Having your child explore his or her feelings will quickly reveal potential goals. Note: Avoid the abstract (e.g., “Have more fun on the soccer field”) – this is hard to track and, therefore, difficult to meet.

2.  After his or her sights are set, pose the question: “What could you do to bring yourself closer to reaching your goal?” Allow us to suggest that you give the child a few minutes to think this through and don’t immediately make suggestions; instead, “hold the silence.” Once ideas have been put on the table, offer your thoughts to ensure the steps are specific, measurable and realistic (e.g., practice my lines for the school play for half an hour every night starting two weeks in advance, invite someone new for a playdate once a month, register for lacrosse in the spring and buy a stick to practice).

Encourage your kids to start small. Making an overly-ambitious goal and plan will likely result in the child abandoning ship, leaving them feeling defeated. Tell him or her not to overestimate what can be accomplished in a short time or underestimate what can be achieved over a long stretch. Consistent baby steps during a reasonable time period are the key to hitting those high marks.

3. Put it in ink. To remember and have a reference point during the year, assist Jack or Jill with writing or typing his or her goal(s). Place the goals in a visible place where they will be seen often (on the fridge, above the home desk, on the bathroom mirror) as a regular reminder to stay focused. I find kids love to write about things that they can post and proudly share with those that they love. Perhaps spice up the document with artwork? Have the child illustrate and draw a fun picture that represents the vision for the goal.

4. Sweeten the Pot. Whatever the goal may be, track progress by putting marbles, stickers or another small reward in a jar for each child when identified steps are taken. Once there are a certain amount of items earned, the family can celebrate together – go out for a sweet treat, see the latest movie in theaters (Disney’s Frozen is awesome!) or buy a new book at the bookstore. If you have more than one child, they could serve as accountability partners for one another, encouraging each other to take steps toward their end goals, adding trackers to the jar along the way.

5. Lookin’ in the Rear-View Mirror. We also recommend that your “Cape Kids” look back at the end of every month or quarter on what worked well and what did not in terms of making progress. Teaching kids the value of regular reflection through activities like journaling paves the way for self-improvement and lays the foundation for self-awareness. You can pick up inexpensive journals that are unique and colorful at stores like TJ Maxx and Walmart. The journal and even a neat pen could reflect the child’s interests or favorite character to make the task more fun.

So don’t let the start of another year pass you by! We can help mold “Cape Kids” that will find success in their lives and make our communities better places to live.

What have you found to be effective for helping your kids achieve goals and dreams? We want to hear from you!

Fill me.
Fill me.