Today’s children are digital natives; they are growing up surrounded by screens and many will have their smartphone by the age of 11.
While many parents worry about too much screen time, there’s no denying that the internet can be a powerful tool that can also support your child’s development. When used correctly, of course.
From language skills to explore their creativity, there are lots of great online resources and strategies that can encourage healthy growth.
So, before you ban screen time altogether, here are seven practical ways you can improve your child’s development through online tools and platforms.
Using educational games to teach them key skills
There are numerous interactive games available that have been specifically designed for learning, making education more engaging and effective.
For example, websites and apps like Adventure Academy and DoodleMaths offer lessons in maths, reading, science and more. These platforms can adapt to your child’s skill level, providing personalised learning paths that reinforce the skills they’ve begun learning in the classroom.
By allowing your child to engage in playful online learning, they can develop critical thinking, memory retention and problem-solving abilities, amongst other transferable skills.
Introducing creative tools that support their artistic side
It’s so vital that you encourage your child to let their creativity shine while studying online, no matter what that looks like. It helps them to stay motivated while studying online. Perhaps they like art, music, or storytelling, and the good news is there are also online platforms that can support these creative endeavors.
Websites and apps like Get Creative from the BBC can support their artistic side, while LOOPIMAL allows them to create music loops using pre-programmed blocks to layer melody and rhythm. There are even apps that encourage interior design by turning kids’ art into virtual furniture!
Encouraging their creativity in this way is vital for your child’s cognitive and emotional development. These creative outlets encourage self-expression, enhance their motor skills and support their imagination.
Leveraging language learning apps
Similarly, if you’re trying to raise a bilingual child or simply hoping to expand their world with a second language, there are language apps that make a great addition to the little one’s daily screen time.
Apps such as Duolingo Kids, Gus on the Go and Mondly Kids gamify the process of learning a new language, making it both more enjoyable and more memorable. This early exposure to other languages can really enhance your child’s cognitive flexibility, listening skills and cultural sensitivity.
Encouraging reading and storytelling through ebooks and audiobooks
We all know that there were books before there was Netflix and iPads. But for most kids today, sadly, seeing hundreds of screaming fans is just something they’re used to watching on a screen – they prefer bingeing on their favorite TV show to brushing up against a book.
And though another screen, there are a host of core online platforms that can motivate your child to read — or perhaps listen to a book — instead of simply jumping from episode to episode of a show.
Here are some effective reading strategies to support your child’s language and literacy development. Digital and audio formats of children’s books are widely available online, for example, on Audible, and can be accessed by everyone.
Audiobooks, in particular, can be great for kids in terms of pronunciation and listening comprehension, and they are a great alternative to watching TV. So, whether it’s independent reading or Storytime together, these digital libraries can bring reading to your children in new ways and make it more enjoyable.
Exploring new places and attractions without having to leave the house
Does your child have a natural curiosity? For the curious who also have wanderlust and want to explore people and places in a network beyond their local neighborhood, the internet provides a door to the broader world.
There are lots of available virtual tours — museums, zoos, aquariums, famous sites — that can enhance your child’s appreciation and understanding of science and nature. Don’t forget sites, including National Geographic Kids and NASA’s Space Place, offer entertaining, educational content accompanied by great quizzes and games.
Hey, they could even drop a pin on a spot on Google Maps and go ahead for a virtual walk around a new town or a country! All of these experiences are wonderful for instilling an interest and love of learning and travel at an early age.
Making the most of online support
During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, we all became accustomed to online healthcare and support – but this didn’t disappear after lockdown was lifted.
There are lots of ways that your child can receive support online to help with their growth and development. For example, children who experience communication challenges can benefit from online speech and language therapy.
Online therapy platforms can connect children with certified speech-language therapists (SLTs) via video sessions tailored to their individual needs. These sessions may focus on speech clarity, vocabulary, social language skills and more.
Of course, it’s not just access to SALT; they can also access regular therapy for their emotional development, additional lessons, or remote tutoring if they are struggling at school. The virtual nature of these sessions makes them much more flexible, especially for busy parents who may be juggling multiple schedules.
Practicing mindfulness and regulating their emotions
The focus is not only on gamification and building on basics from school, such as maths, science and English. Your child’s social and emotional well-being should be just as important as their academic performance.
That’s why educating them about apps such as Headspace for Kids, Smiling Mind, and Moshi, where they can learn how to manage their emotions, practice mindfulness and build resilience, can be beneficial.
These may help your child do things like breathing exercises, meditation and sleep stories, which are helpful for lowering anxiety, focusing better and overall emotional well-being.
And sure, these might be very adult concepts, but the sooner kids are in tune with and able to control their feelings, the better for them in adulthood.
Make the most of online resources
The internet, when used thoughtfully, can be a significant asset to your child’s growth. There are online tools to help them learn a language, develop a passion or practice mindfulness and meditation. However, striking a balance can be tricky, and as a parent, you’re tasked with encouraging your child to develop good digital habits and a healthier online life.
