Kletke Tech Resources - Parents

Jeff Reagan: Sunday Thoughts (Did you get your steps in?)

2/26/2021

With all due respect to Dr. Seuss,

I like to walk.
I walk with my wife.
I walk with my dog.
I walk by myself.
I walk for my life.

I talk about walking quite a bit. Because it’s easy, requires no fancy equipment, and you can do it nearly anywhere.
And of course, any movement done regularly, including low-impact walking, is great for you in the long run (no pun intended).
So while I encourage you to walk early and often, and increase your steps along the way, there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to this: how many steps a day should be your goal?
The generally accepted consensus (just ask your neighbor) is 10,000 steps a day is ideal.
But I dug into this a bit. And that number is not really based in science.
The origin of this 10,000 number actually goes all the way back to the mid-60s, and the marketing team behind one of the world’s first pedometers.
A Japanese company wanted a snappy name for their new gadget. And they liked “Manpo-kei,” which translates to “10,000 steps meter.”
Even better for the marketers, the Japanese character for the number 10,000 looks a little like a pair of legs walking. Catchy. But it’s not science....

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

HTG: Disconnect Your Smart TV from the Internet to Stop Tracking

2/26/2021

Your smart TV is probably tracking what you watch. “Automated content recognition” (ACR) technology detects what you’re watching, uploading snippets of content to a reference library so marketers can keep track of your viewing habits.

Automated content recognition isn’t the only tracking issue on TVs, but it’s one of the most startling. Here’s what the marketing industry doesn’t want you to know:
Many TVs have “automated content recognition” technology that detects what you’re watching—even if you’re watching OTA TV or an old VHS tape—and informs marketers.

When this feature is enabled—and it’s probably enabled by default, or after a prompt that really encourages you to enable it without explaining it properly—your smart TV will monitor your watching habits and home phone. To do so, your smart TV will capture sections of video, snippets of audio, still images, or some combination of the three, and upload the data to a “listening post,” as AdExchanger’s guide for marketers explains it....

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Today's Parent: Can we hang out with grandparents once they’re vaccinated?

2/24/2021

We’re all counting down the days until we can visit family worry-free, but experts warn it may not be when Grandma and Grandpa get their shots.

My sleeve is already rolled up in excited anticipation of getting my COVID vaccine, but the reality is, it won’t be happening for me anytime soon. And that’s OK—I’m not a frontline worker or a high-risk individual, so I’m happy to wait my turn while people like my parents and in-laws get their vaccines earlier on.

There will probably (hopefully!) be a period this spring and summer when many grandparents will have been vaccinated, but their adult children in their thirties and forties, and the grandchildren they haven’t seen in months, will still be waiting for their shots. The federal government has promised to vaccinate everyone who wants a vaccine by the end of September, and each province has shared a plan with estimated dates, but we still don’t know exactly when vaccines will be available for Canadian kids, or for most low-risk parents. (Vaccine trials in children are currently underway in the US.) And with every report of manufacturing issues or a delayed vaccine shipment, public frustration and impatience grows....

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Tim Elmore: What Parents and Teachers Can Do That Google Cannot Do

2/23/2021

Many parents fret that they’re not having the same conversations with their children that they did with their parents when they were kids.
Teachers fret that engaging students in the classroom is tougher today because they compete against YouTube, Netflix, and Tik Tok.
Coaches and youth workers fret that keeping a student athlete’s attention is tough because they’re up against Madden NFL or Fortnite video games.

The fact is parenting, teaching, and coaching is different today, not because kids are different but because the culture is different. We are raising them in a society where Siri and Alexa offer quick answers, creating eight-second attention spans and expectations that solutions should be instantaneous and that life should be entertaining.
It’s not our kids’ fault, but it is our kids’ reality.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

AddictionResource.net: "What is Alcohol Addiction?"

2/23/2021

What Is An Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by the obsession and compulsion to drink alcohol, regardless of the consequences. One of the most intriguing facts about alcohol, is that it’s both mentally and physically addictive. So a person can unwillingly become addicted by drinking too much alcohol. As that person becomes physically addicted, they begin to experience the physical compulsion and the mental obsession that comes with it.
Alcohol addiction is also referred to as alcoholism or alcohol dependence which typically stems from alcohol abuse. Both alcoholism and alcohol abuse are alcohol use disorders, and are extremely dangerous.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Rehab Spot: Covid-19 and Addiction

11/16/2020

The battle against addiction is still being fought during the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). While most of the country is in lockdown, many people are finding themselves turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms of drugs and alcohol to deal with this uncertain time. However, you don’t have to go through this alone. Rehabilitation centers are still open, providing essential treatment for people in need. You don’t have to wait; if you or your loved one struggles with an addiction, it is possible to begin recovery today.

Rehab centers provide a safe and therapeutic environment for their patients and staff. The safety and health of everyone is a top priority and extra precautions are being put in place to ensure that. This may be a unique opportunity for you or your loved one to begin treatment. If work, education, or social life have been a factor in postponing treatment, this period of isolation could offer a time to focus on recovery and becoming the best version of yourself....

Note: The above comes directly from their website. A representative from their organization reached out with information, resources and website related to addiction. Click here to read more.

Brain Center TMS: Am I Depressed?

11/13/2020

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting more than 17 million Americans each year. 1 Symptoms of depression extend far beyond feelings of sadness — many patients experience fatigue, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances, among others. The wide range of symptoms, social stigma, and mental health stereotypes can make it difficult for people with depression to identify their condition and seek help.
Mental health professionals use multiple methods to diagnose depression, from physical exams to checking symptoms against the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5). One of the most common evaluations is the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), which quantifies common symptoms and allows professionals to monitor their severity based on the DSM-5 criteria for depression.
While the only way to know if you have depression is to visit a doctor, self-evaluations are easy tools to help assess your depression risk. Take our at-home assessment to evaluate your symptoms and understand if you should seek help.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. A representative from BrainCenterTMS reached out with this valuable resource and I am glad to be able to make it available to our families.

ComputerScience.org: The Ultimate STEM Resource Guide for Kids

11/12/2020

STEM—which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math—is a crucial piece of the educational experience. Biologist Judith Ramaley coined the acronym in 2001 for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) as the organization began ramping up programs to promote STEM subjects in American schools.

As the country rolled into the 21st century, student STEM achievements in the U.S. lagged behind those in other countries. Naturally, the NSF sought solutions for improving STEM programs in schools. After a 2005 report noted a strong connection between economic privilege and STEM achievement, the NSF and other organizations began working to close this gap and make STEM resources more widely available.

A strong STEM foundation opens doors to a variety of educational options and lucrative, fulfilling career opportunities.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS (BLS) PROJECTS OCCUPATIONS FOR MATH-RELATED PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS ACTUARIES AND STATISTICIANS, TO GROW BY 26% FROM 2018 TO 2028, FAR FASTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE GROWTH RATE FOR ALL OCCUPATIONS.

Parents may struggle to provide home-based learning in STEM for kids. This page presents top online resources in each STEM subject, plus a list of 150 courses, websites, activities, and competitions arranged by grade level.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. A representative of their organization reached out to me asking if I would provide this information to our teachers, students and families. I am pleased to be able to make this information available. Click here to read more!

Safety Detectives: Parents' Guide for Safe YouTube and Internet Streaming for Kids

11/12/2020

You work hard to keep your children safe from so many different dangers, but every day they are exposed to countless threats online. Predators, disturbing content, identity theft attempts, and other things you wouldn’t let them experience in real life are all waiting for them.

Shockingly, 1 in 5 U.S. teenagers say they have been approached in a sexual way by strangers online; only 25% told their parents.

As a parent, that’s terrifying.

Young people have access to a nearly infinite pool of content thanks to websites like YouTube and Reddit. Worse, the Internet, the rise of smartphones, and the culture of social media allow us to access these things from anywhere. No matter what you think of it or how much you know about it, platforms like YouTube are changing how children are growing up...

Note: The above comes directly from their website. The marketing assistant for Safety Detectives reached out to me regarding this resource. I am glad to be able to send it on to our school parents. Click here to read more.

Personal Note: This material is a fantastic reminder of parental responsibilities and ideas to keep your kids safe. Please read.

Claire Mitchell: Fun Science Experiments For Children to Try at Home

11/11/2020

With access to school limited by the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, children need lots of things to do at home. While there’s important ‘school stuff’ they still need to learn, there’s surely room for some fun too! So why not combine fun and education and try out our 15 Fun Science experiments?
My name is Claire Mitchell, mother of two, keen author and lover of anything to do with science. My family really enjoyed these home science experiments and we’re sure you will too!

Note: The above comes directly from Mrs. Mitchell's webpage. She approached me asking if I would be willing to share. I am glad to do so. Click here to learn more.