The Influential Parent

This episode features two guests: Dr. Shirley Vickery (former Richland 2 Lead for Learning Support Services) and Abby Cobb (Richland 2's Lead Social Worker... amongst other things!) Both guests offer their expert insight into the effects of social media on teens and their mental health-- both positively and negatively.

In this episode, we switch gears a bit and talk about our real little ones, specifically supporting language development with preschool-age kids. We have a special guest, Michelle Jordan, who works with this age group in our school district. She shares an overview of the current data regarding preschoolers Post-COVID and why oral language is so critical for our kids. Listen in and learn some strat...

We continue our summer series with some stop-motion action. Get ready for a wild ride into the world of stop-motion videos, where ordinary objects come to life and imagination knows no limits. It's like playing director with your favorite toys, creating a mini-movie masterpiece right at your fingertips. Check out Educational App Store for the apps discussed in this podcast. Lego Movie Maker St...

During the school year, students have access to classroom and school libraries; but what about during the summer? In this episode, Nikki and Amanda discuss two popular and widely available apps to help kids stay connected with books to increase reading and decrease the "summer slide." Check out Scholastic's "On Our Minds" blog post about summer reading For our listeners in...

In our last episode, we shared Amanda's experience with Geocaching and we went in depth about this fun, outdoor treasure hunt. This episode continues the conversation with a special guest, Tasia, who embarked on her very first geocaching experience with us. Listen in to hear another perspective as she shares insights on our recent adventure.

Our 2nd episode in our summer series is about Geocaching. Geocaching offers a unique way to explore the outdoors, discover hidden places, and engage in a worldwide treasure hunt. It appeals to people of all ages and abilities, from families seeking outdoor adventures to seasoned adventurers looking for a new challenge. The activity promotes physical activity, problem-solving, and navigation skills...

In this episode, Nikki and Amanda explore the influence of social media challenges on kids and teenagers. They will discuss the emotional, psychological, and physical risks associated with viral challenges. Nikki and Amanda try to offer practical advice for navigating these challenges responsibly. Tune in for a crucial conversation on raising awareness and supporting the well-being of today's...

Social Media is becoming more and more popular among our teenagers. We are also more aware of the mental impacts of Social Media on teens. This episode shares some guidelines and basic rules to help you teach your child how to use social media responsibly and safely. This episode is appropriate if your teen is already using Social Media or is getting started. Resources discussed in this episode: h...

Think back to 2001 and those old flip phones you used to use (and may still be in your attic somewhere!) Is it time to dig them out and dust them off? According to some TikTok and YouTube influencers... YES! The hashtag #bringbackflipphones has over 38 million views on TikTok, and Gen Z-ers are seeing possibilities in this retro tech. Tune in as Amanda and Nikki talk about why flip phone sales are...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tim Swick, The Computer Immersion Magnet Lead at Sandlapper Elementary School. He shares how his teachers and students have used the popular game, Minecraft, in school. Using Minecraft Education in the classroom has engaged students in learning and building future-ready skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and systems thinking. It is pretty intere...

Are you looking for a way to use your (& your child's) device to CONTRIBUTE to the internet, not just consume content? (And no, we won't be telling you to make a TikTok video!) Dr. Ed Emmer, our local Science Superhero, joins us this week as we talk about Citizen Science and ways for you and your family to use your devices to contribute to scientific endeavors around the globe... from where ev...

If you haven't heard about this new personal assistant, ChatGPT, listen in as Nikki and Amanda talk with Chuck Holland, Director of Instructional Technology, about this new AI website. This episode will highlight what it is, and the potential uses for personal, career, and educational needs.  ChatGPT - Try it for yourself.  ChatGPT & Education Check out this resource to read more abo...

For our next episode, we’re continuing the conversation about the “B” word… Bullying. Bullying and Cyberbullying are important topics to talk about with our kids. Listen to what some local teens have to tell Amanda and Nikki about “The B Word.” Resource for parents: Cyberbullying Infographic

For our next 2 episodes we’re talking about the “B” word… Bullying. Bullying and Cyberbullying are important topics to talk about with our kids. In this episode, the first of two in this mini-series, Nikki and Amanda go out to a local high school and ask some teens to talk with them about “The B Word.”

There are a number of apps out there that allow users to “text” back and forth, and SnapChat is one of the most popular ones! Kids and teens (and let’s face it, adults!) love the crazy and creative filters, but there is much more to this app than seeing your face with sparkles and unicorn eyelashes! Listen in as Nikki and Amanda explore some of the features that parents are sure to want to know ab...

Remember growing up playing with Legos or Lincoln Logs? Maybe you are one that still dabbles in building with Legos. Yes, we know there are many adults that build Legos and we are good with it. It taps into your creative side so we think it's great. This is pretty much what Minecraft is - a 3D world where our kids are building anything they imagine. Tune into the latest podcast episode and learn m...

What is all this buzz going around about Roblox? What is Roblox and should I be concerned if my kids are playing it? In this spotlight episode, Amanda and Nikki discuss this 3D Virtual platform that allows them to share experiences with friends and play games that were created by users their age.  Resources: Parents Guide to Roblox and How Your Kids Play it Safely

Welcome to our first “Spotlight On” episode, a series where we will be discussing some of the most popular apps and games with our kids.  This week we’ll be talking about Fortnite, a downloadable game where players are dropped onto islands where they battle each other to collect supplies… and to be the last player standing!  Join us as we talk about why kids like this game, and what pare...

With devices going home for the summer in our district, we wanted to take some time to share some tips for parents that will help them set some guidelines for technology use over the summer. We also encourage you to go to your school's website to locate the summer resource page, allowing your child to continue their learning over the summer. Here is another resource to locate camps for your child(...

Your child has come to you and said, I want to create a TikTok video. Or, maybe they have already started creating TikTok videos but you haven't had the conversation around TikTok. It's not too late. Join us in this episode to learn about the pros and cons of our children creating TikToks, or maybe even you creating videos. Hear how you can support your child on the journey to create a successful...

TikTok is gaining momentum with a variety of age groups, especially our kids. It is a fun and creative way for anyone to watch, create and share videos. Whether you are new to TikTok, your child wants a TikTok account, or have been using it for a while, we share some fun facts and tips to help parents navigate the consumer side of this popular social media platform.  

Remember when we were growing up, we had to pile into the car, drive to the library, and check out books to learn this stuff. Now our kids have it all at their fingertips. Our kids are wired to look for information this way. There is no longer the barrier of waiting for parents to take us to the library and hoping the book is not checked out. If you -like us- are also monitoring your digital habit...

Picking up where we left off last week, we talk more about notifications and the phenomenon of  DOOMSCROLLING (du-duh-duhhhh!!) How does scrolling and scrolling through social media affect our children (and ourselves) physically, mentally, and emotionally? How does endless time in front of a screen affect young brains? Amanda also challenges Nikki with the question: how much time do you think...

How much time do you spend on your device? It may be more than you think. In this episode, we spend some time talking about how you can become more aware of your digital habits by using an app. And what about those notifications? Do you have them turned off or on? Listen in to hear our perspectives on what these phone notifications can lead to. 

What digital habits do you have that you hope your children will not learn from you? Tune in to find out a few habits from parents we interviewed. We also discuss how those habits can impact others around them.