How can I ensure that my child’s screen time is healthy and educational?

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In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended no more than two hours of screen time per day for children and adolescents, one hour only for children between 2 and 3 years of age and absolutely no screen time for children under 2 years.

However, they have updated their guidelines to reflect the realities of today’s digital world. Due to the moment we are living, children need to access computers and tablets to take classes, do their homework and also be entertained. With that in mind, we have gathered up a few tips to help parents!

1. Use screen time as a chance to interact with your child and teach lessons about the life.

2. Take steps to make your child’s media usage a positive experience. Read books, practice physical activities and spend time outdoors.

3. Establish rules about the sites your child visits, the games he/she plays, and the movies he/she watches.

4. Interact and engage in your child’s digital world. Learn to play the games he/she likes, ask questions about the content he/she watches and explore the Internet together.

5. Set aside time without technology. Even a short digital detox can improve your child’s behavior and emotional well-being.

Based on what we have brought here, do tell us: “What content have you been encouraging your child to watch?”

The impact of artificial intelligence on children’s lives

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Today, children are growing up in a world surrounded by AI algorithms that determine what information they see, which videos they might like to watch and shape even how they are learning to speak. Children of the Alpha generation, who were born in 2010, already have a deep connection with technology.

However, despite the growing interest in AI, the question remains: how will artificial intelligence affect children’s lives?

According to Stanford professor and chief scientist at Google, Fei-Fei Li, “AI should change the human experience, and not necessarily for the better. We have time, but we need to act now. If we make fundamental changes in A.I’s engineering and, in those who do this engineering, technology will be a transforming force for good, says the scientist. If not, we will be leaving much of humanity out of the equation.”

Fei Fei believes that AI is nothing artificial, it is inspired by people, created by people and impacts people. With that in mind, the hope is that, by better understanding how algorithms are created and how they influence society, children can become more critical consumers of this technology.

A way to help is by using digital transformation for them, taking the time to develop human skills, creativity to solve complex problems and emotional intelligence to improve relationships. All this can motivate them to shape their future with AI.

The importance and power of naming emotions

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Emotions are intense. They can strenghten or weaken us if we don’t understand the power they have. The truth is that we cannot change what we do not perceive. Denying or avoiding emotions will not make feelings disappear, on the contrary, they will outgrow and consume all of our vital energy.

Children do not always have the vocabulary of emotions. In schools they aren’t usually taught and at home if us, parents, don’t understand the importance of it, will teach them either. Science explains that naming emotions initiates a process of self-knowledge and understanding about what a person is feeling, and the is the first step towards developing our social and emotional intelligence.

When someone asks, “How are you?”, we often answer if we are fine or not. Being good or not being well, are not emotions, they are moods. So with this, we see that defining emotions is not only a problem for children, but also for us adults.

If we understand emotions as a “moving energy” that always seeks to be expressed in some way, we understand how naming them gives us the opportunity to take a step forward. Only then, we are able to welcome what we are feeling and make conscious choices about how we are going to react to it.

What are emotions?

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The word “emotion” comes from the Latin emovere, which means “energy in motion” (e = energy and movere = movement). All emotion, even the ones seen as a bad feeling, exists to make us move, that is, move on and change what is out of balance.

Have you ever stopped to think that in our society it is more common to show our happiness rather than our sadness ? When a feeling of sadness comes, we tend to avoid and hide it from ourselves, as if it were wrong to feel that way. We avoid talking about it.

Girls are predisposed to express their emotions more often because they belong to a more “sensitive”, “emotional” gender. Boys grow up without knowing what emotions are, judging what they feel only as bad feelings, as they are educated to always be strong. No wonder we hear the expression “boys don’t cry”. –

The truth is that emotions, whether good or bad, must always be expressed. “When we don’t let our emotions flow, it’s as if we are filling ourselves with cement. We are so filled with sadness, anger, guilt, fear and shame that there is no room for anything else. The heavier we get, the lower our vibrational level becomes – the connection with others, with life and joy. Dealing better with all the emotions within us, the lighter we become, and that reflects in the ability to attract more abundance, health, love and depth into our lives.” –

Excerpt from the book “The identity of the soul” by author Panache Desai. In this book all emotions talk to you. The dialogue is worthwhile.

Image source: freepik

What is social distance teaching us about relationships?

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Social isolation made us stop to rethink our relationships. In this time when all relationships in life have changed, whether it’s work, with children, family, friends, we understand how important the relationship with others is in order for us to construct, deconstruct and reconstruct ourselves. This relationship of teaching and learning, of exchanging experiences. These relationships become the fuel of life. That’s why we have such a need to share. In the film “Into the Wild” the great lesson transmitted is that happiness is only real when shared. Would you agree with that too?

Since the way we relate to others will not be the same anytime soon, this is a good time to take a closer look into the relationship with ourselves. This way, we begin to understand how the universe of others work. Because the relation you have with yourself, usually reflects your relation with the whole. And how is that relationship with yourself? Has it been with self-care, self-love, self-responsibility? Or has it been filled with guilt, fear, victimization and sadness?

As we saw on a previous post, our emotions can become feelings, when we keep thinking about them and let them absorb. So, are we going to start noticing our emotions and what they are causing us? When we understand that emotions matter, then we will be able to live a healthier, and more respectful relationship with, not only ourselves, but others too.

The Wheel of Peace

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Change places or change THE place?

The Wheel of Peace, created by Pierre Weil, is the tool we use to improve ourselves, each other and the Whole. It is part of the essence of Lightouch.

When we are in balance with ourselves, with nature, and with society, that is the moment we find the Art of Living in Peace.

We believe that everything is interconnected, and what exists today is a false illusion of separativeness. We separate the relations of the self, with the other and with the whole. This separation only brought imbalance and destruction to humanity. Our actions impact the microorganism (us and our nature) and the macro-organism (nature and society). We are now being invited to slow down, to live in the present. It turns out that now, we cannot change places, but we can change the place and how we relate to it. How are we building this place? How are we understanding the message that nature is giving us right now? How is the relationship with myself? Care, love and forgiveness? Or guilt, fear and sadness? How am I relating to the others? “The man is made of material (body), life (emotions) and mind (information). These components are inseparable from everything in the universe. “

We wish you have the opportunity to experience peace in your body, mind, heart and spirit. Only then, you will be able to transform the place you are in.

Source: 
Quote from the book “The art of living in peace” author Pierre Weil.

How do you feel being a mother in times of social isolation?

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Mom. ?

A small word but filled with special meaning. Being a mom means many things, especially in times of social isolation. It means to be a teacher, an educator, a friend ready to hear, to welcome, to love and to comfort all the time. Being a mom also means to remember how to be a child… Innocence, fun and relaxing way of living life. Lightouch believes that every mom gives their unconditional love and devotion to be the best version of themselves.

So for you, what does it mean to be a Mom in times like this?

Self Care in time of Coronavirus

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How can parents take care of themselves, benefiting the whole family?

The Coronavirus pandemic has totally changed the way we relate. With social isolation, our home has become our workplace, our children’s classroom and remains the place where we relax and have fun with our family. When you are a parent, self-care is usually not the number one priority on your list, but your children.

If you’ve ever traveled by plane, remember the famous instructions that flight attendants demonstrate before takeoff. One of these main instructions is the parable of the oxygen masks. “In the case of depressurization of the cabin, the oxygen masks fall off automatically. Pull one of the masks, place it over the nose and mouth, adjusting the elastic around the head and breathe normally, only then help the child at your side ”. This orientation, in the first instance, goes against the maternal and paternal instinct for protection. But if the adult is saved first, there is still more hope of saving the child than the other way around.

If we think in a more logical way, we will understand that we can only give what we have. It’s that simple.

In the next post we will come back with practical tips on how to self-care now and always.

Feelings on paper

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How is your child feeling during this quarantine?

That is the question UNICEF wants to answer with the campaign “Feelings on a Paper”. The goal is to encourage children to explore emotions and express their feelings through drawing.

This can be a fun and simple activity to do and you may find out important information to work within your family. Just create a warm and cozy environment and ask your children to draw how they are feeling.

This is a great way to encourage them to ask question about this difficult moment and to express their thoughts, emotions and feelings with the whole situation. As soon as they are done, take some time to talk it over and help them feel safe and understood.

You can see more details of the campaign through the link in our Bio!
So, are you ready to listen?✏️ ? ?

E.I. in times of social isolation

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This pandemic affects more than our health, it affects our emotions and our interactions within society.

Throughout life human beings have relied on a few pillars to succeed and prosper. Currently, one of the main humans pillars’ depend on is being tested: relationships. We are beings who are always cultivating and expanding our relationships. In these difficult times, social isolation has taken a toll on our relationships, affecting our physical and mental health.

We believe that crisis, such as this pandemic, can generate learning opportunities. Instead of feeling down and negative about what is happening around you, we should start being more positive and asking ourselves… How can we maintain a healthy emotional intelligence throughout life, regardless of what is happening around you?

We have listed some tips to help you apply Emotional Intelligence (EI) not just during this pandemic, but in life.

  1. Self-awareness will help you be an observer of your feelings, of what they spark in you, and how to be emotionally proactive rather than reactive.
  2. Demand less of yourself. Put your energy into what you CAN control, not into what you CAN’T control. Just do your best and enjoy the process.
  3. Take care of your “inner home”, it also needs your attention, your affection, and your time. You can do this through meditation and taking care of your body. Use your time to invest in what makes YOU happy.
  4. Remember that nothing is permanent, the only constant is impermanence. In these uncertain times learn to be resilient, to flow like water. Resilience will help you to accept what you are offered, and with it create innovative solutions.
  5. Empathetic attitudes will help us beyond the individual. Let’s get together without getting together, so we can all get out of this better than we entered.
  6. Finally, this crisis is an invitation to live in the present, which is the best moment in our lives.