March 7, 2012
Q: My 7-year-old twin granddaughters have spent less time with computers than most kids their age. Recently, their school has started to teach keyboarding. Those who have spent a lot of time on computers are learning quickly, while my granddaughters are feeling a bit behind. I think that the girls will eventually catch up (and have […]
January 12, 2012
Q: When our 14-month-old son was born, his pediatrician told us to avoid screen time, so we do not allow him to watch TV and we rarely have it on while he is awake. But, we subscribe to a music service that streams through the TV. When the songs play, the album covers are shown […]
December 22, 2011
Q: Do you have suggestions for how to find appropriate media, such as educational video games, for different ages, such as an 8-year-old boy who likes war stuff? I’d like to help direct him to more creative sites. –Seeking solutions, in Burlington, VT A: Dear Seeking, It’s not always easy to know which video games […]
December 16, 2011
Q: Help! I’m shopping for kids of all ages this year for the holidays, and don’t know where to begin. What are your thoughts about the kinds of toys that are good for kids?
A: This year, focus on the CHILD–opt for Creative gifts you’ve decided upon after doing your Homework on the recipients’ interests, keeping in mind the importance of Imagination, Learning, and making Donations.
November 29, 2011
Q: We have a 16-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son who are at the same school. They have voluntarily given up Facebook because of the time drain it can be, and both have fairly heavy academic loads. They are interested in starting a blog together. What are the pros and cons? –Benefits of Blogging in […]
November 23, 2011
Readers loved this post last Thanksgiving (thanks for your great feedback, Shaping Youth!), so we are reposting it in honor of this one. Enjoy! Q: I know I’m probably making a big deal out of this, but it really bugs me when my school-age kids watch shows and movies in class or on TV that […]
October 21, 2011
On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a revised policy on media for kids two and younger. The recommendations for this age group are much the same as they were in 1999—that it is best for their developing brains and bodies to avoid both screen use (such as placing a toddler in […]
September 2, 2011
Q: My 16-year-old son uses the computer constantly at home in his room and almost always claims he is doing homework. He doesn’t want me to look over his shoulder and see what he is doing when I come into his room, and frankly, I want to allow him his privacy when he is on the […]
January 20, 2011
Q: My two year old has no interest in watching television at all, and my friends think it’s weird. Should I be concerned?
A: No way! The scientific research we have to date supports your decision not to put her in front of an electronic screen until she turned two.
January 14, 2011
Q: Are two year olds too young to see films like Tangled? What should I consider when thinking about taking my kids to the movies?
A: If what you imagine her seeing, hearing, and understanding is what you want for her to experience, then take her and enjoy it together, keeping in mind these developmental considerations.
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