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Navigating the Digital World with Lower School Children

At the end of March, we hosted a Lower School Parent Coffee focusing on technology. We had a terrific turnout of Lower School parents who were interested in learning more and sharing ideas about technology use and social media in the lives of their families.
Director of Technology Craig Luntz, Head of Lower School Elizabeth Martin, and Lower School Counselor Beth Nichols set up the framework for the discussion, and specifically focused on:
  • Parents developing their own philosophy and strategy that align with their values.
  • Parents engaging other parents – especially parents of their child’s friends.
  • Using technology as an opportunity to connect with their children.
  • Modelling positive habits with digital devices and social media.
  • A gradual and balanced approach to time spent with digital devices and social media and waiting until at least 13-years-old to consider the latter.
  • Recommendations of specific apps to assist with safe use and management.
  • Looking for gender positive media as well as building discussion around stereotypes that might be reinforced.
Shannon Cheston, Lower School Technology teacher, shared some of her curriculum including the online safety lessons she teaches students. We considered the impact of technology on the individual child based on his age, gender, temperament, and learning style as well as the group impact and the role social media play on one’s self-esteem, socialization, and emotional resilience.

The slides from the coffee and other resources may be found on the Resource Board in MyCalvert on the Technology page.
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Calvert School is a coed independent lower and middle school.

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