Hello, fellow educators and knowledge enthusiasts. Today we’re exploring an area close to every teacher’s heart: professional development. Like our students, teachers too benefit greatly when learning new things. Bettering ourselves is a lifelong process that brings many rewards.

Have you ever considered what the journey of professional development for teachers?  looks like? Join me as I break down its stages. They may prove not just insightful but truly transformative.

Curiosity Ignited:

Everything starts when that first spark appears, that moment when you realize there’s something new or different you want to learn or a skill you want to master. At this stage, curiosity reigns supreme: You attend workshops, webinars, or conferences that pique your interest—almost like embarking on a quest armed with thirsty ambition for knowledge and curiosity for discovery. This is the most important stage as it decides the journey that you will be undertaking and the lengths you will go for that.

Exploring New Territories:

It is always good for an educator or a teacher to look for sources and opportunities from where you can improve and improvise. Once curiosity strikes, you immerse yourself in the world of learning with gusto. At this stage of discovery, it’s all about discovery: trying out different techniques, strategies, and perspectives that could enhance your teaching toolbox. Attend training sessions, read books, and engage in discussions with colleagues in order to broaden your horizons and discover more possibilities for growth. Exploring new and effective ideas is always a great recipe for success and development. Always have a positive attitude towards change and learning.

Learning in Action:

Education doesn’t end once we gain knowledge; rather, its true purpose lies in applying what has been gained to real-life situations. At this stage of your professional growth journey, newfound skills and strategies are put directly into action in your classroom environment like brush strokes on canvas; you experiment with what you have learned until it fits both your teaching style and students’ needs.

Reflection and Adjustment:

Think back to when you stopped to admire your students’ progress. Now it is time for you to reflect upon your own journey, assessing what went well, what needs improvement, and how your approach may need to change with experience gained along the way. Continuous improvement starts here. The change that you feel in yourself would reflect in your students, your experience would reflect in your students and you would see a positive enhancement in their skills and capabilities.

Collaborative Growth:

Learning requires teamwork, so this stage focuses on collaborative growth. You engage with other educators to share successes and challenges as well as to draw upon each other’s experiences; it’s like having an invaluable support network that helps propel forward with shared insights and wisdom. Thus by helping each other, we help each other in collaborative growth. Sharing each other’s effective teaching methodologies and techniques would result in an overall improvement in the education sector. It would not only be beneficial to the teacher but would do wonders for the students too.

Broaden Your Horizons:

Once your confidence increases, it’s time to explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone. Take on leadership roles, mentor colleagues, whatever it takes, or explore specialized fields within your field. Anything to push boundaries and broaden horizons. Professional development thus enhances the inner abilities each educator has and implements that in your classes. Things that seemed impossible in the past become an easy possibility in the present as well as in the future.

Becoming a Guide:

As they say, teaching is the best way to learn, and this stage embodies that notion. No longer simply an active learner but now also acting as an active guide with colleagues, leading workshops, or mentoring younger educators, becoming an educator enables others to thrive. You can be a mentor or a guide to your fellow colleagues and also to each and every student that you teach or come in contact with. Thus not only implementing what you learned but also helping others along the way.

Innovation and Leadership:

At this point, you have achieved the level of expertise necessary for innovation. No longer satisfied with simply following best practices, you are creating new ones; designing teaching methods, conducting educational research, and leading initiatives to transform education as an entire field may all fall under this heading.

Lifelong Learning:

Professional development isn’t something that happens once and is then over; rather, it should be seen as an ongoing journey throughout your career. At this final stage of your development journey, honor your dedication to lifelong learning by actively seeking new knowledge, responding to changing trends, and remaining open to growth—an attitude that keeps you inspired and relevant throughout.

Technology Integration:

Technology has become an essential element of modern education. At this stage, the focus is on effectively incorporating tech into teaching practices and using digital tools, online resources, and educational software to enhance students’ learning experiences.

Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction: 

this stage, assessments and data analysis are used to guide teaching strategies. Through this the teachers or educators learn how they can assess the progress of their students, they can assess the results, and make or design programs that cater to each student’s needs.

Specialization and Expertise:

After a teacher or an educator has acquired a good amount of experience in a particular field he or she can expertise in that field and acquire specialization also. This can be anything from special education, STEM subjects, or language acquisition. Becoming a specialist or expert in a field gives the educator an authoritative role in that subject and also they can play a pivotal role in shaping the future development of that particular field.

Conclusion: 

Imagine this: an exciting tapestry of teacher professional development. Like teaching our students, this journey is engaging, exciting, and ever-evolving—something educators cherish every day as we work towards excellence for both learners and guides alike. My fellow educators, let’s embrace every step along this journey with open hearts and eager minds, knowing each step brings us closer to becoming outstanding educators ourselves.

Your baby is only a few months old. They haven’t learned how to crawl, let alone walk just yet. But in the blink of an eye, they’ll be on their little feet, running around the house. They’ll be figuring out how to open doors, climb up shelves and play with all of your precious belongings like toys.

This is why you should start babyproofing your house sooner rather than later. You’ll want every room to be safe and secure, just in case your little one decides to tear through it.

Other than installing baby gates by stairwells and tethering bookcases to walls, what other babyproofing steps should you take?

Babyproof Your Windows

Toddlers are naturally curious. You don’t want that curiosity to draw them to an open window—especially if that open window is above the first floor. That could be extremely dangerous.

So, to make sure that your kid never tries to climb out of a window, you should add window stoppers to the frames. These will stop windows from opening wide enough for a child to crawl through. You will be able to open up the window just enough to let in a breeze.

You could also replace any of your awning, casement or single-hung windows with double-hung windows. Double-hung windows have two operable sashes. You can open up the top sash to let in fresh air and keep the bottom one shut. This window gap will be much harder for your child to access since it will be too high up for them to climb through.

As an added safety measure, move cribs, bassinets, chairs and other furniture away from windows. If they are too close to the windows, your child could easily make their way to the window ledges and climb up. Keep these areas clear.

Window Treatments

Your windows present another problem for little kids: window treatments. Certain window treatments that have long cords can be very hazardous to infants and young children. They can get these cords around their necks and severely injure themselves. Sometimes, the injuries are fatal. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 9 children under the age of 5 die of this hazard per year. To keep your child safe around windows, decorate them with cordless window treatments.

Curtains without any ties are usually child-safe décor options. Another potential issue with them is that children can pull or climb on them, which could cause the heavy curtain rod to tumble onto them. To avoid this issue, you should make sure that the curtain rod is properly secured to wall studs. You can also pick a shorter curtain style instead of long curtains that go straight to the ground. Shorter curtains will be less tempting for kids to grab and climb.

Babyproof Your Electrical Outlets

Your kid might find the electrical outlets around your house very enticing. After all, the outlets will be at eyelevel when they are crawling around on the floor. They will be tempted to stick their fingers—or worse, stick small objects—into an outlet when you’re not paying close attention. They could get an electric shock from this.

So, how can you prevent this from happening? You could use plastic outlet caps. These caps have prongs that will neatly slide into the slots of the outlet. This should stop your child’s fingers or any other objects that they’re handling from entering the slots. The caps are also easy for adults to remove whenever they want to plug in an electrical device.

Another option that you can consider is replacing your outlet covers with self-closing outlet covers. These come with built-in panels that automatically slide over to hide the outlet whenever it’s not in use. They won’t be visible to your child, so they won’t be health hazards.

Babyproof Your Bathroom

It may sound strange, but toilets can be dangerous for young kids. Since a toilet bowl has standing water in it, a small child could drown in it. Technically, small children can drown in an inch or two of water — so even if it’s unlikely, you should still be cautious about this household hazard.

What can you do to protect your child from this specific danger? Put a toilet seat lock on your toilet. This should stop your little one from opening up the lid and getting their head into the water. You won’t have to worry about removing the toilet lock until your kid is a little older and fully potty-trained.

On a lighter note, a toilet seat lock can help you prevent a situation that’s far less dangerous: plumbing damage. Lots of kids think of toilets as fun toys that they can play with. They want to throw everything from entire rolls of toilet paper to stuffed animals into the toilet bowl and flush them away. This innocent game can lead to some serious drain clogs and some steep plumbing bills.

Another great way to keep your little one out of your bathroom and away from the toilet is to install a childproof doorknob cover on the bathroom door. With this safety measure in place, young children can’t get a solid grip on the doorknob and open up the closed door. As long as you keep the bathroom door shut, your kid shouldn’t be able to wander inside the bathroom on their own.

Bathwater

Your kid’s skin is going to be extra sensitive to hot water. They could get a scald burn if they sit in a bath that’s too hot. Some parents try to avoid this situation by putting a bath thermometer in the tub to confirm that the water isn’t too hot for bathtime, but there’s a much better solution out there.

According to the American Burn Association, one of the best ways to prevent scald burns is to set your water heater to a lower temperature. The temperature should be at120° F. Not only can this prevent scald burns at bathtime, but it can also prevent scald burns when your child washes their hands or decides to play with the sink faucet.

Babyproof Your Finances

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your kid can still get into trouble. Kids are tenacious that way. They can still manage to hurt themselves, even after you’ve put many, many safety measures in place. And they can still manage to damage your house when you’re not looking.

So, what can you do about this? Prepare your finances for these potential outcomes as soon as possible. Start building up an emergency fund (if you don’t have one already) so that you can afford to give your kid the medical attention they need when they hurt themselves. Your emergency savings could help you handle costs related to hospital visits, dentist appointments, prescription medications and more.

An emergency fund can also help you cover the costs of any household damages that your curious kid creates, like flushing their toys down the toilet and causing a huge plumbing clog. You can use the savings to cover urgent repairs for plumbing, windows, appliances and other household essentials.

If you don’t have an emergency fund on hand, you might not have enough savings available to cover an urgent medical expense or repair service out of the blue. In this case, you might want to look into an online loan for help — it can be one of the most effective options when you need cash now for an emergency. With an online loan, you could use the temporary funds to pay off the emergency and then follow a repayment plan right after.

You should only apply for a loan in an emergency. Do not use this borrowing option for everyday expenses, like groceries.

Don’t wait to start these babyproofing steps. Your kid will grow up and start exploring the house sooner rather than later. So, do them now!

Image Credits: Karolina Grabowska and Vladimír Sládekoo via Pexels.

Staying up-to-date on technology is not only about cybersecurity and keeping your kids safe online, it is also about understanding the emojis and slang your children may be using online to ensure they’re safe.

This all may seem like a lot, but take a deep breath, and let us guide you through the most important aspects of kids’ digital communication and the ‘code’ they speak in.  By knowing this lingo, you won’t feel clueless when ensuring your child’s safety ever again.

Digital Communication

Digital communication is an increasingly important topic to be knowledgeable about when it comes to preparing your kids for their future education and careers as well as for keeping them safe online.

Some basic digital skills would be beneficial for your children to learn. These include writing professional emails, communicating with teachers or future employers versus friends and family, and understanding digital etiquette.

Emojis, abbreviations, and slang

However, no matter how much you educate them, kids will inevitably develop their own language. It seems there is a whole slew of emojis, abbreviations, and slang that kids use nowadays that sound completely alien to the average parent.

Nevertheless, if you learn all that, you may have an easier time understanding them. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the visual-textual mishmash that is today’s kids’ online language.

Most popular emojis and their meanings

• (Crying Laughing) – Often used for something hilarious, but can also indicate sarcasm.
• (Eye Roll) – Signals disbelief or annoyance; not to be taken at face value.
• (Thinking Face) – Could signify actual thought or skepticism about something said.
•  (Skull) – Used to indicate “I’m dead” or “dying of laughter,” an exaggeration for finding something very funny.
•  (Loudly Crying Face) – Used to emphasize sadness or frustration, but sometimes used for things that are so cute or funny it brings one to “tears.”
•  (Praying Hands) – Besides the obvious, it can mean “please” or “thank you” in some contexts.
• (Fire) – Represents something that’s “hot” or trending; not just actual fire.
•  (Clown) – To call someone or something ridiculous or foolish.
•  (Cap) – Indicates someone is lying or exaggerating.
• (Steam From Nose) – Signifies frustration or a sense of victory and dominance over others.
• (Pleading Face) – Used to beg or make a cute request; doesn’t always imply actual sadness.
• (New Moon Face) – Used to denote awkwardness, and creepiness, or to humorously highlight a   socially awkward statement.
• (Woman Shrugging) – Signals indifference or lack of knowledge about something.
• (Snake) – Denotes an untrustworthy or deceitful person.
• (Rainbow) – Beyond LGBTQ+ pride, it can also signify something magical or idealistic.
• (100) – Represents full agreement, or saying something is perfect or spot-on.
• (Pizza) – Besides the obvious, it can signify something awesome or the slang term ‘za’ meaning pizza.
• (Peach) – Often used as a euphemism for a buttock.
• (Eggplant) – Commonly used as a phallic symbol.
• (Sweat Droplets) – Represents hard work or effort, but is also used as a suggestive innuendo.

Most popular online slang

Contrary to popular belief, kids aren’t always willing to abbreviate every thought to the max. Yup, it’s not all LOL, WTF and OMG anymore—you’ll also need to learn slang, lest you want to unknowingly endanger your kids due to obliviousness. Some popular terms and phrases include:  

• Drip: A term denoting standout fashion or style.
• Finsta: A secondary, usually more private, Instagram account.
• Mood: Indicates something is emotionally resonant or relatable.
• Shook: Experiencing strong surprise or disbelief.
• Dank: Initially used to describe high-grade cannabis, now also refers to excellent memes.
• Sus: Short for either suspect or suspicious, used to indicate doubt or mistrust.
• Rizz: The knack for successfully drawing romantic interest.
• Bussin: Exceptionally tasty, most often used to describe food.
• Glow up: A significant transformation or improvement, either physical or emotional.
• Fit: Refers to a complete look or ensemble.
• Hits different: Exceptionally good or impactful, beyond the norm.
• Ghost/ghosting: The act of abruptly ending a relationship by cutting off all contact.
• Karen: Describes a middle-aged woman perceived as entitled or confrontational.
• Ok, boomer: A retort used to dismiss outdated or old-fashioned opinions.
• Stan: An ardent and often obsessive fan, usually of a celebrity. Originates from an Eminem song.
• Rager: A large, boisterous party, often featuring alcohol.
• Mid: Describes something as mediocre or uninspiring.
• Salty: Expressing or feeling bitterness or irritation.
• Lowkey: Signifies a laid-back or subtle approach.
• Highkey: Indicates something is of high importance or intensity.
• Bet: A colloquial way of saying “yes” or “agreed.”
• Sipping tea: Engaging in or understanding gossip, inspired by a Kermit meme.
• Spilling tea: Actively sharing gossip.
• To sleep on: To underestimate or overlook something valuable.
• Deada$$: Absolutely certain or serious.
• Bruh: An exclamation of disbelief or surprise.
• Cross-Faded: Simultaneously under the influence of alcohol and cannabis.
• Bae: An acronym for “Before Anyone Else,” denoting a significant other.
• Lit: Describes something fun or exciting, also used for being intoxicated.
• Beef: A disagreement or conflict.
• Woke: Being socially and politically conscious.
• Extra: Excessive or dramatic behavior.
• Turnt: In a state of excitement or intoxication.
• Roasted: Subjected to harsh criticism or mockery.
• Plug: A person who supplies illicit substances.
• Gucci: A synonym for cool or good.
• I’m dead: An expression of strong disbelief or amazement.
• Geeking: Laughing uncontrollably, often to the point of discomfort.
• Thirsty: Exhibiting desperation, often in a romantic context.
• Netflix and chill: A euphemism for intimate activity.
• Throw shade: To insult or demean someone.
• Dope: A term indicating approval or coolness.
• Bye Felicia: A dismissive farewell, based on a line from the movie “Friday.”

IT and Cybersecurity to the Rescue

Finally, it’s not enough just to be knowledgeable—you need to be proactive. And there’s no better way to prevent threats, than by educating your children.

IT basics to teach your kids

Introduce your kids to secure web browsing using various browsers and VPNs. Teach them how to recognize harmful sites and how to properly manage files. While exploring computer tools, you can subtly incorporate the use of a PDF editor for tasks like editing text and filling forms. Not only is it useful, but again, it also teaches kids valuable business skills they’ll be able to harness in the future

Plus, using specialized software is a great way to avoid all the complexities of Microsoft and Google’s office software suites. While useful, these platforms are often too complex for young children. With bespoke solutions, you can still teach them the essentials. And who knows—you can also refresh your knowledge and learn a thing or two a long the way.

Cybersecurity essentials to teach your kids

Cybersecurity is a critical skill set in today’s digital world. Start by teaching your kids how to set up an online profile securely, emphasizing the need for robust privacy settings. For instance, two-factor authentication and anti-malware protection are simple enough for them to understand.

Then you can move on to installing apps and games, showing them the safe way to do it. VPNs and Wi-Fi should also be topics of discussion. Personal information should be guarded zealously; make sure they understand the dangers of oversharing online and giving out information to strangers. And last but not least, encourage your child to be open and honest with you. That’s by far the best way to tackle threats—by working together, as parent and child.

About the Author:
Ryan Harris is a copywriter focused on eLearning and the digital transitions going on in the education realm. Before turning to writing full time, Ryan worked for five years as a teacher in Tulsa and then spent six years overseeing product development at many successful Edtech companies, including 2U, EPAM, and NovoEd.

Over the years, there has been an increasing prevalence of allergies in children. Last year, 27.32% of kids suffered from at least one of the three diagnosed allergic conditions: eczema, food allergies, allergic reactions to animals, and seasonal allergies. In some cases, allergies can be life-threatening.

This is why children need to learn more about their potential severity and how to help themselves or others with allergic conditions.

Here’s a parenting guide you can follow to raise allergy-smart kids who can identify the symptoms of different allergies and toxic reactions and know how to respond to them.

Understanding Allergies in Children

Allergic reactions happen when foreign bodies, which aren’t typically harmful, enter the body. These foreign bodies are called “allergens.” They trigger the immune system to respond, thus resulting in allergic reactions. There are different kinds of allergies, with food allergies and seasonal allergies being the most common.

Typical symptoms of most allergies include manageable ones like stomach aches and rashes. However, some dangerous reactions may also occur. One of the most life-threatening could be anaphylaxis or difficulty breathing. Early signs of allergies in kids include frequent rashes and hives, sneezing and coughing, and stomachache after eating a specific food.

Medications could vary in different ages. For instance, for babies, Dr. Talbot’s Infant Allergy Medicine – Relieving Allergies with Care is safe and effective. Additionally, kid-friendly formulations like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are safe oral antihistamines for kids. However, before giving your child any medication, consult their doctor first.

Nurturing na Allergy-Smart Kid

To raise an allergy-smart kid, start educating them about allergies as early as possible. It’s important to use age-appropriate language when discussing allergies with your kids. For food allergies, you can talk to them about simple terms like “safe food” and “unsafe food” to eat. Label the food they are allergic to as “safe food” and the ones that trigger their allergies as “unsafe food.”

When talking to them, use “we” instead of “I” statements. For example: “This is how we take this medication.” You can also bring them to groceries and involve them in cooking meals so you can point out specific items that they shouldn’t eat.

Also, tell them to only accept food from trusted adults who know about their allergies and the safe food they can eat. Additionally, talk to them about their symptoms. Don’t instigate fear response to the symptoms and just describe them in clear terms. Don’t show them you’re anxious or stressed about their allergic reactions. Remember that kids may feel nervous when they observe the same feeling in their parents.

Of course, tell them what they can do if an allergic reaction arises. Teach them about taking medication or finding an adult if they feel sick. Moreover, you must also tell them about other people’s dietary needs, especially those with allergies. Tell them to ask if anyone has an allergy before offering a snack to their friends. Teach your kids empathy and respect for other allergy sufferers.

Image by master1305 on Freepik

Building a Safe Home Environment

Building a safe home environment means allergy-proofing your home. Here are some effective strategies you can follow:

• Improve air quality

Ensure the house is well-ventilated. This way, you can control the allergens in the air and avoid allergic reactions in the family. Instead of using regular filters for your air conditioning system, use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to prevent pollens, bacteria, and molds from recirculating in your space.

In addition, during pollen season, close the windows, doors, and other entry points in your homes to keep pollen and outside allergens out of your space. You can also use air purifiers and humidity controllers to avoid molds and other allergens that thrive in humid spots.

• Regularly clean your home

Set up a weekly cleaning routine for your rugs, carpets, mattresses, and upholsteries. You can hire professional cleaners to get the job done for you. Investing in vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can also ensure dust-free areas in your home. Learning how to clean your mattress to reduce dust mites and other allergens that accumulate over time can also help provide a healthier space for your family. You can increase the frequency of cleaning during spring as tree pollen counts surge during this season.

• Control pet dander

Limit the spaces where your pets can enter. This way, your kids and other family members are less likely to develop pet allergies. You should also bathe your pets regularly to reduce the fur they shed.  A good option for kids with allergies is to select hypoallergenic cats and dogs.

Navigating School and Social Settings

You can tell school staff about their allergies if your kid is in school. Talk to the school nurse, teachers, and administrators. You should also prepare an allergy emergency kit that your kid can bring inside their bag. Besides the oral medication for kids with allergies, you can also include epinephrine, albuterol, H1 antihistamines, and H2 antihistamines in the emergency kit.

These medications can treat anaphylaxis if your kid or someone at school experiences difficulty breathing due to an allergy. Teach your kids how to self-administer age-appropriate medications so they know when and how to use them in an emergency. When dining out or traveling, always consider allergy-friendly restaurants and destinations.

Educating Extended Family and Caregivers

Get everyone in the family involved. Educate relatives, grandparents, and the babysitters. Give them clear guidelines on proper food handling. Also, teach them how to administer medications to your kids.

Takeaway

Your kid might feel isolated because of their condition. However, it’s important to note that 1 in 13 kids in the United States suffers from such conditions, specifically food allergies. As a parent, seek support from online communities where you can get information and advice on how to raise an allergy-smart kid. Within this group, you can also ask for restaurant recommendations and engage in discussions regarding allergies in kids.

Read about allergy treatments available at medical centers.