Student learning time increases when children understand the difference between tattling and reporting. Yet, children's observations can help teachers know what is happening when they are not present or when their attention is elsewhere. Allowing students an opportunity to share their serious concerns is a necessary component of a positive school environment.
In too many school settings, students hear constant commands from teachers and administrators: "sit down, be quiet, sit still, pay attention, stay awake, control yourself." While these commands are used to create order and discipline, how often are students actually given the tools and training to truly understand how to comply?
In this age of age of media overload, it’s important that we recognize and monitor what our children are exposed to, especially our adolescents and teen, so that we can help them to understand, and cope with, the ideas that they seen in the media. During middle and high school, our children are transitioning from child to adulthood and the images and media that surrounds them affects how they see themselves, as well as their place in the world.
We live in an age of media overload and it's important that we recognize and monitor what our children are exposed to, so that we can help them to understand what is “real” and what is not. Also, we need to know what they are watching, so that we can teach them to “think” about, and question, what they see in the media.
The television and video games that youth watch on a regular basis can affect the way they treat others. Read about the Influence of Media on Children and strategies to counter its impact.