Category Archives: Parenting

The Top 8 Things You Can Do Now to Help Your Child Develop Media Literacy

media, Parenting

This morning, you won’t find me at home.  Nope.  Not gonna be here.

This morning I’ll be a bit north of here, speaking to a group of moms about media literacy, something I’m passionate about.  It’s so crucial for us, as parents, to help our kids understand that there is a message behind all forms of media, from TV to music to movies to this blog.  Helping our kids learn to ascertain what that message is, who’s behind it, and to think through whether or not they agree with it is a powerful gift we can give them.  I strongly suggest starting now!
With that in mind, here’s my list of the Top 8 Things You Can Do Now to Help Your Child Develop Media Literacy:

  1. Take the time to articulate your family’s values & beliefs.  Display them in a prominent place in your home.  Teach your kids to base their decisions on these values.
  2. If there’s a TV in your child’s bedroom, take it out.  If not, keep it that way!  This isn’t just me—it’s a recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  3. Watch TV or listen to music with your child.  Talk about what you see and hear.  Keep them actively thinking, rather than passively watching or listening.
  4. Encourage your kids to learn more about who and what is behind the shows or music they enjoy.
  5. Allow older kids more input and let them make mistakes.  If you permit them to watch or listen to something you disagree with, discuss it afterwards.  Respect your children’s opinion.  Sometimes we need to agree to disagree.  But, as parents, we also have the right to insist that kids respect our family’s values.
  6. Watch movies together that spark discussions.  Nell Minow suggests some in her book, The Movie Mom’s Guide to Family Movies.  So does Bob Smithouser in Movie Nights: 25 Movies to Spark Spiritual Discussions With Your Teen.  Find one you like & use it – we’re not on our own here.
  7. Put your computer in a prominent spot in your home.  Use a good parental filter.
  8. Be a good role model.  Our kids know what we read and watch, and how much time we spend online or on the couch gazing at the TV.  They know when we live our family values, too.

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How to Find Time For Yourself

activities for kids, media, Parenting

As a young mom, there were days I was desperate for a little me-time.   All right, fine.  As an older mom, there are still days I’m desperate for a little me-time.

But as one of those peculiar moms who recoils at the thought of turning on “kids” TV, I didn’t have an easy out.  How on earth could I get a shower, cook dinner or take a deep breath without Backyardigans to the rescue?

It took some time, but I eventually figured it out.  Kids can entertain themselves.  It just takes a little work at the front end.  But it is so worth it when you finally get to take that breath.  Ahhhh!

For the Littlest Tykes try these…

Hands-on manipulatives go a long way with this group.

* Wooden blocks
* Big fat Legos (Duplos)
* Round ball with the shapes
* Fisher-Price stacking toy

These are just a few my boys really liked.  There are tons of things kids can play with—even your Tupperware or Rubbermaid.  If they can stack it, fit it together, or bang it loudly, it has a good chance of success.

As they get bigger…

* Brio or Thomas trains
* Lego blocks (still the Duplos – now for building, instead of banging or chewing)
* Books on tape (like magic!)
* Leap Pad – ours worked sporadically, but if you have a good one…
* Inexpensive matchbox cars, lots of them. They can race them, line them up, or just plain old play with ‘em.

When they won’t eat beads anymore…

* Perler Beads!  **Can serve double duty as fancy Christmas ornament gifts for Grandma and Grandpa, and everyone else they know**
* Regular Legos
* Books
* Books on tape/CD/iPod
* Kids’ digital camera
* Football cards

Admittedly, you won’t get much of a breath to begin with.  Set your expectations low, to start.  I began by sitting with my kids while they played with their toys.  But (for once) I didn’t participate.  For just a few minutes, they managed on their own.  After awhile, they got used to figuring things out for themselves, and I eased out of the picture.  Now, if you’re thinking I grabbed 30 minutes to myself, you need to re-evaluate, friend.  Slow.  Start slow.  It’s all about your expectations!  

In the beginning, the time I got to myself was short – 10 minutes, at best.  But if you can grab 10 minutes to start dinner, you’re still ahead of the game.  In time, 10 will grow to 20.  By the time my kids were 3, they could entertain themselves in their rooms for an hour.  An hour!  Not only is this arrangement good for you, it’s good for them.  Independent play time fosters creativity.  Life doesn’t always throw you something new when you’re bored, does it?  No, sometimes we have to make our own fun with what we have.  That’s a good lesson to learn at any age, wouldn’t you agree?

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Thoughts About Life

balance, life, Midwest Parents, Parenting

So why are we here?  Not here, online, on blogs, making friends with women we may never actually see, but why are we here, here.  Here on this earth.  In this world.  Why are we part of our particular family? The community around us?  Why are we friends with our particular friends and mothers to our particular children?

Heavy stuff for a Thursday morning, wouldn’t you say?  Read the rest of my ruminations over at Midwest Parents today.

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