How to raise kids in the digital age
MANILA, Philippines — We have become so dependent on staying connected though the Internet since the pandemic. There is good news and bad news about that. But whatever the news is, the internet connections seem to be here to stay and keep our lives running.
Among the people most enthralled by online life are the students who have become dependent on these connections 24/7.
It is no wonder that schools, both parents and teachers, are wary of which connections are actually being made, and want to make sure that the values education that they impart to the students remain strong.
For this reason, the Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF), a network of 16 schools based in the Philippines, in partnership with the University of the Asia and the Pacific, Educhild and Amici, is organizing an on-site international conference this April 17 and 20, in Manila. PAREF is bringing in Dr. Michele Borba to speak at this conference targeted to parents.
With over 40 years of character education experience, international speaker Dr. Borba from Palm Springs, California, will speak on “Shaping the Future: Values in the Digital Generation.” She is an internationally-renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s character and resilience, and reduce peer cruelty. Dr. Borba is a sought-after motivational speaker and has spoken in 19 countries and five continents to more than a million participants, and has served as a consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations over the past decades.
The PAREF International Conference is aligned with the Parent Formation goals of the PAREF Schools, which focus on Character Education. During this pandemic, many issues and concerns have arisen, especially among the youth. As we move to the post-pandemic period, we need to equip parents with the right formation skills in order to make sure that they continue to instill values in their children despite the many tech challenges of today. And this on-site conference will help achieve that.
In a recent online meeting hosted by Christine Jacob-Sandejas of CNN Philippines and Cher Anonas of PAREF, conference speaker Dr. Borba talked about how parents and teachers can have an “authentic dialogue with their children.” Borba gave tips and tricks on how to “get through” to our children and naturally open their minds and hearts by carrying on real, honest-to-goodness conversations with them. She added that “It is worthwhile finding time to talk to your child and to recognize how your child is feeling.” She also opined that it would be good “to be calm and take a breath first before talking to your child.”
Here are some practical tips she suggested as to how parents and teachers can have this real dialogue with their children:
• Doing things together with your child, be it walking, biking or other activities.
• Sitting down with them and just being there.
• Writing a journal together with your child.
She also advised having “digital unplugging times” during the day and this has to be an agreement between the parents and the child. She added that “66 percent of the time, we parents are the ones locked in with our phones, more than our children.” She even adds, “Sign a contract on this and abide by it.” Borba said that when we talk to our children, we need to be relaxed so they can also be relaxed. She adds that “When stress builds, communication breaks.” She also suggested praying with them before they go to bed.
PAREF president Danny Moran acknowledged the fact that the pandemic and lockdown have indeed created many challenges among families such as mental health issues, depression, gender-identity, bullying and disciplinary cases in schools. He mentioned that this international conference is very timely and that it will help more families, especially the parents, in instilling values in their children during this post-pandemic period. He also mentioned that good communication is key in building stronger relationships within the family.
Dr. Borba will be live in Manila on April 17 at 4 p.m.. at PAREF Southridge, Muntinlupa, while the second conference is on April 20 at 4 p.m. at the University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig. Tickets are at P400.
You may register and purchase your tickets through this link: https://bit.ly/BorbaConference2023
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For information, email borbaconference@paref.edu.ph or call 0977-8074536.
