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#WinAtSocial
Our kids, digital natives? Often they are described as such. They are a generation of children born since the proliferation of the iPhone. I personally struggle with this description. Yes, okay, so maybe I did update my Facebook status 10 years ago while in labor. And, I may or may not have posted the first photos of my second born with his older brother in the recovery room before his grandparents saw him in person. But does that mean he knows how to navigate digital spaces intuitively? Does being born digitally native make a child more equipped than his parents to use devices, apps, and video games? In my work with kids and technology over the past 23 years, I have found the answer to be a resounding “No”. Are our kids comfortable with technology? Yes. Can they use it safely, efficiently, and productively without guidance? Not often. This is especially true when it comes to social media. Students need guidance and are eager to talk about this subject. But, what should that guidance look like when those who teach aren’t speaking the native language of the student?
With student wellness being a focus of our strategic plan, I am privileged to work with Zay Kittredge, Upper School Counselor, and Lydia Pettigrew, Middle School Counselor on the matter of wellness. Digital wellness is simply wellness for our digital natives. We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with The Social Institute (TSI). TSI speaks the language and kids are learning and responding positively. We are incorporating their positive approach to social media with their newly released gamified #winatsocial curriculum in grades 5-11. Students in the upper school participated in their first interactive lesson earlier this month as part of their Community Thursday time with their advisory group. Feedback from the time spent was overwhelmingly positive from both students and faculty. In grades 5-8, I am bringing the #winatsocial game to their classrooms. We are focusing on “Playing to your Core” this month with age-appropriate prompts in the game that facilitate very lively discussions from real-life scenarios around social media. Students learn strategies to enable them to best represent their true selves online.
Parents can take advantage of a wealth of resources curated by The Social Institute in their Resource Portal. To access use code:: 028b23004124AB. The Social Institute also provides a Parent Playbookthat includes more information about the #winatsocial curriculum.
Laura Tierney, founder of the Social Institute explains #winatsocial best. Read more here.
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