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Monitoring kids online activity- Bark app keeps kids safe online

Monitoring kids online activity- Bark app keeps kids safe online

Have you noticed your kid buried deep in their devices watching TikToks or playing Animal Crossing lately? I encourage you to have conversation with your child about their online habits and come up with a plan for healthy online activity. We found the perfect solution for monitoring kids online activity called the Bark app.

 

BARK App keeps kids Save Online.

Last week, I started doing some research for my students to find some resources to help manage screen time. Up to this point, we were just using Screen Time (listed below) and I would just take it upon myself to check their devices. It was getting to be exhausting, so I was grateful when my research led me to Bark app.  It’s an absolute must for busy parents who are interested in knowing when and if their children come across something that could possibly cause a problem online. Bark app allows you to monitor over 30 platforms from text messages to social media channels. When Bark detects an issue, you get an automatic alert via email and even includes expert recommendations to make it easy for parents to talk to kids about digital dangers and other sensitive online issues. It did take me some time to set up for my three children, but it’s already been worth the time. Bark app costs $50-100 annually depending on the level of functionality desired, for younger children it’s a monthly charge of $5 and can go up to $14 depending on your desired tools. You can also check out the special code below for readers to save 20% for annual subscription. Check out one of the alerts that was sent to my email last night due to profanity in a youtube video that my 13 year old was watching. Not only did it give me the alert, but look below for some of the expert advice to how I should talk to Lucas about the profanity.

Parents- exciting new updates to Bark‘s screen time and web filtering features for iOS, Androids, and Chromebooks! Added Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Discord, Omegle, & Zoom to your screen time dashboard for quick toggling off or on. This allows you to restrict network access to these apps to prevent online activity if needed to both websites and web-app features! 🙌 Too much Fortnite happening? (Toggle) to take a break. Don’t want them accessing Zoom when classes not scheduled? Done! Want a safer Minecraft (sans strangers?) You got it! Want to customize and add in your own individual sites and web apps? You can do that, too!

Special pricing – Sign up now for a free one-week trial of Bark and 20% off Bark for life using code 5X7FJ6N at checkout. 

Parenting in a Tech World, our Facebook group that helps parents navigate the challenges of raising kids today.

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What am I going to do with my kids all summer?

Are you thinking what I am thinking- What am I going to do with my kids all summer?

Bring on the summer days and no more school at home!

Whew!! We did it! Did you think it was never going to end? I am so thrilled we finished quarantine school!

While we may not yet be done with quarantine, we at least can create some resemblance of a summer break and plan for fun.

Although this summer will definitely look different than normal, I know that it will be one for the memory books!

2020 Summer Activities at Home List

Summer Printable Packet

I have created a Summer Printable Packet back out to help create a routine, a bucket list, and a schedule for the summer. Definitely wishful thinking, but it one thing that really helped us doing quarantine was having a schedule.

This summer we are adding non-traveling things to our bucket list. Like, Build an epic fort, Take some FUN classes, Maybe have some themed “camp weeks”. Don’t forget about Chores App For kids to Earn Money

We are still using to the  BusyKid App, which allows kids to complete Chores App For kids to Earn Money. BusyKid is the chore app where kids can earn, save, share, spend and invest real allowance. There’s NO SUBSCRIPTION FEE* to use BusyKid but plenty of features to help your kids build a strong financial routine.

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At Home Summer Resources

Outschool.com – Thee mission is to inspire kids to love learning. They provide small group classes that meet over live video chat where learners are connected with teachers and classmates who share their interests. These classes are offered through their marketplace and conducted on our remote learning platform. There are SO MANY other non-academic options on the website. You can click here to create a new account and receive a $20 credit on your first class. AND teachers can earn extra cash by teaching classes online, click here to create a teacher account. Teach online and earn up to $40 USD per hour taught.

That’s why we put together The Stay at Home Survival Bundle – to give you tips, tricks, and strategies to take care of yourself, your family, and your home (and keep your sanity in the process ;)).

Summer Camp At Home

Babysitters, Grandparents, Caretakers… If you are looking for week by week resources here are some wonderful At Home Summer Camp activities. And now the other 8 weeks have been released. You can pick and choose which weeks you purchase {$5.97 each} OR you can purchase the all-access pass which gives you instant access to all 8 weeks for $29.97! For a limited time, get free access to Space Week for FREE!

All 8 weeks include: fun, engaging, and educational videos, crafts, tutorials, hands-on activities, science experiments, themed physical fitness/workouts, dance parties, family movie nights, themed snacks, and so much more! I have also included a supplies list for each week, a printable themed certificate of completion for each week, and blank Summer Camp at Home planning pages!

These weekly camps are entirely self-paced. You can begin and end when you want and you have lifetime access to them!

Summer Camp at Home:Disney Week
Summer Camp at Home:Under the Sea Week
Summer Camp at Home:Dinosaurs Week
Summer Camp at Home:Olympics Week
Summer Camp at Home:Superhero Week
Summer Camp at Home:Pirates Week
Summer Camp at Home:Hawaiian Week
Summer Camp at Home:All-Access Pass to all 8 weeks

Each week day, you’ll journey through a variety of activities in the following categories:

  • Learn & Explore- engaging, educational videos and projects
  • Fun & Creative- a variety of hands-on crafts and activities designed to reinforce what you’re learning each week.
  • Get Moving- physical fitness, exercises, workouts, and dance parties all centered around your theme of the week.
  • Further Exploration: Watch & Listen- numerous suggestions for further exploration of the weekly theme through a family movie night.
  • Snack Time- fun and yummy snacks and recipes based on your weekly theme.

Each week also includes:

  • List of supplies needed to complete crafts and activities for the week.
  • Themed certificate of completion.
  • Blank Summer Camp at Home planning pages to help you organize your week.

Internet Safety Reminders for Summer Break

A few weeks ago, I shared with you some Internet Safety Reminders During School Closures and wanted to remind you of the Bark app.  It’s an absolute must for busy parents who are interested in knowing when and if their children come across something that could possibly cause a problem online. Bark app allows you to monitor over 30 platforsm from text messages to social media channels. When Bark detects an issue, you get an automatic alert via email and even includes expert recommendations to make it easy for parents to talk to kids about digital dangers and other sensitive online issues. It did take me some time to set up for my three children, but it’s already been worth the time. Bark app costs $50-100 annually depending on the level of functionality desired, for younger children it’s a monthly charge of $5 and can go up to $14 depending on your desired tools. You can also check out the special code below for readers to save 20% for annual subscription. Check out one of the alerts that was sent to my email last night due to profanity in a youtube video that my 13 year old was watching. Not only did it give me the alert, but look below for some of the expert advice to how I should talk to Lucas about the profanity.

SPECIAL PRICING – SIGN UP NOW FOR A FREE ONE-WEEK TRIAL OF BARK AND 20% OFF BARK FOR LIFE USING CODE 5X7FJ6N AT CHECKOUT.

Summer Reading

Amazon’s Kids Book Box Subscription – sign up for something fun and engaging to read this summer. Plus, it’s always fun for kids to get a box in the mail with their name on it. Check out the different age and box options here.

Prime Book Box saves you up to 40% off List Price, and provides the best value on hardcover books sold by Amazon.com.Each box contains 2 hardcover books or 4 board books. It’s based on age and reading level. 

Online Summer Resources

There are a ton of Learn at Home Resources that were free or reduced during the last couple months. Here are some other sites that I shared with my class over the last couple weeks.

Comic Book Websites

1. https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator (this only allows you to create 2 free), try to draw outyour comic on a paper before going online.
2. https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
3. For chrome books and tablets -https://toontastic.withgoogle.com/
4. Scholastic has some great resources on comic building -https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/learning-toolkit-blog/creating-comics-online.html
5. Pixton has a free trial https://www.pixton.com/

Internet Safety Websites

Students can visit https://www.netsmartzkids.org/ to watch some videos and play games dealing withInternet Safety.

Lemonade Stand – Financial Literacy

iPad —-> https://www.hoodamath.com/games/lemonadestand.html

Desktop (this is what we use in school —> https://omsi.edu/exhibitions/moneyville/activities.php#getreal

Banzai Program sponsored by Penn East Federal Credit Union

Banzai is free, online financial literacy for students of all ages. It’s interactive and fun. Over 60,000 math, business, family and consumer science, and computer teachers have joined the program nationwide. Banzai focuses on building credit, borrowing, budgeting, spending, setting goals. This is a wonderful program that I have been using for years in my classroom with students in grades 4-6. They start by learning the important terms and with limited choices, but continue through the program to make decisions about saving for future.

Head over to the Banzai website and use code 8DEXBC to join as a student. More ideas to teach kids financial literacy.

 

Stay at Home Survival BundleThe Stay at Home Survival Bundle

DOES YOUR LIFE FEEL CHAOTIC AND OUT OF CONTROL?

2020 has turned into the year no one expected.

And many of us are still struggling to find a routine after our world has been turned upside down.

Whether you find yourself wondering how to entertain your toddler until lunchtime, coming up with creative meals from your pantry, or figuring out how to work from home, you can do this! And we want to help.

Would love to know what you are doing with the kids all summer, feel free to comment below or join the conversation on Facebook.

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Blog Resources

Prioritizing Made Easy

People always ask me, “How do you get it all done?” I can tell you one thing, it’s not easy, but it’s recognizing and organizing, and prioritizing tasks. Like most, I juggle many hats, but I wasn’t always good at multi-tasking!

When I was in college, I would always do things at the last minute and be running. Honestly, I was like this for most of my adult life, the feel of rushing to get things done. I don’t think I can express enough how much I hate this feeling. I would wake up with anxiety many mornings or even have trouble falling asleep thinking about the next day. The lack of order and consistency in my days robbed me of well…me. And why was it all on me? 

About 6 months ago, I said ENOUGH is enough. Because yes although life was busy, my lack of discipline wasn’t life’s fault. It was mine. Since then, I’ve been focusing on getting back to the basics and also focus on tasks that I would be happy passing off to someone else. 

Now, my weeks have so much more space and structure. It’s not boring. It’s not even hard. It just takes a decision and incremental action. 

If you’re feeling like your life is out of control, here’s one thing I’ve implemented into my weekly routine that has been LIFE CHANGING. Intentionally setting myself up to accomplish the important tasks or achieve goals sets me up for success.  Look below for a free task prioritization resource that you can print, complete and implement! 

So Many Tasks! Which One Do I Prioritize?

Have you ever had those days when all tasks are considered top priority? Don’t fret; here’s an effective way to arrange them.

In prioritizing, remember—time before importance. In other words, a task that is more urgent must be done before a task that is more critical. Writing out a plan will help keep you more accountable and successful. You can’t successfully prioritize until you have only one thing to focus on right now. Use the tips and techniques below to help prioritize your tasks.

Three ideas for prioritizing tasks:

  1. Brain Dump: Jot down all your tasks in one place as they come to mind. In school, teachers call it brainstorming, but we will use the term Brain Dump, just dump the information down and get it out of your mind. 
  2. Order of Importance: Look at the “brain dump” list and organize them in order of importance. 
  3. Timeline: Put together a timeline prioritizing by urgency and importance- that need to be done immediately, this week, this month and the leftovers (or tasks that you can delegate)

Be significantly better by knowing what’s important and urgent, from what is not!

Prioritizing your tasks will help to increase productivity and give you more focus.

Where do you want to go this week, this month, this year? How you prepare will predicts how you will get there.

There is a tremendous difference between being busy and being productive. All successful people know how to prioritize their tasks; that’s how they have become the top players in their field.

Planning your days and weeks more effectively is a valuable tool to maximize your productivity. Download my  free task prioritization resource to help you evaluate your tasks and complete them with efficiency.

 

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Free Resources Podcast Resources

Goals and Self Reflection Episode 3 and Free Printable Goals Sheet

 

Setting goals is very important in life, but so is self reflection. At times we forget to self reflect on our goals rather than just dismissing them as failures. Use the free printable worksheet on jennaurban.net to self reflect on your past goals and set up for future goals.

Free Printable Goals and Self Reflection Worksheet

List to podcast to see how you can benefit from using the Free Printable Goals and Self Reflection Worksheet