Archive | Infographics

While media has come a long way in its portrayal of body image, we are still far from fully embracing images that represent every ‘body.’ Teens and younger tweens are faced with images daily that impact the way they view their own bodies…and contribute to what they perceive as the ideal for beauty.

In the 90s, Kate Moss’ thin aesthetic gave way to the waif ideal. However, the grunge movement and the Riot Grrrl musicians in that same decade helped teens and younger women see other ideas of what it meant to be female.

Today’s teens, however, are faced with curated and contrived images of beauty. Thanks to Instagram filters and the wonders of photoshop, bodies can be tweaked, faces can be glossed over and a look can be flawlessly transformed. Reality, it seems, is virtually blurred.  Continue Reading →

Smart Homes Smart Toys

If you’ve made the decision to homeschool your children, remember that technology can be your ally. Children living in this digital age are already used to interacting with technology every day, so integrating it into the learning curriculum can facilitate the learning process.

Even so, there are important reasons why you need to be mindful of the extent to which your children use technology. Consider some examples from tech titans present and past. Bill Gates did not permit his kids to have their own smartphones until they reached 13 years old, and Steve Jobs never allowed his young kids to use iPads. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider technology for younger children — but you should be more vigilant with younger kids.

There are indeed some interesting ways that you can use smart home technology and smart toy technology to make homeschooling a more interactive experience for you and yours. What follows is a look at specific smart home technology and smart toy technology to consider. Continue Reading →