Expert tips to raise tech savvy children

Encouraging your children to become tech savvy will help promote their online communication skills.

It can be rattling to any analogue parent but with the right guidance, you can help encourage your kids to become tech savvy and promote their skills in creative ways that could open doors of opportunity.

1. Mini films
With a digital video camera you can encourage your child to make interesting videos from his or her point of view. It could be a lifestyle documentary based on your child’s subject of choice (mum, dad, grandpa, the family pet), or something a little more creative or abstract, like a time-lapse (this will also teach patience), or music video featuring the neighbours.

Download a simple film-editing program like iMovie so they can edit their flicks and share them with the rest of the family and friends. Who knows, you might have a budding young filmmaker on your hands.

2. Creative publishing
Got a birthday in the family coming up? Thinking about holding a garage sale? Get your child familiar with straightforward desktop publishing and have them create invites, fliers, or birthday cards.

There are some great apps available that allow children to draw on tablets with their fingers, encouraging their creative juices to merge with modern technology.

3. Holiday research
If you have a family holiday in the pipeline, have your child research family-friendly places to see and things to do at the destination you’re planning to visit. Older children may even be capable of putting together an itinerary using a spread sheet, including costing up a proposed budget- a great way to learn practical skills and help Mum and Dad. Allowing your children to take on smaller responsibility will give them the opportunity to build confidence in themselves and prepare for the bigger road ahead.

4. Aiding education
Most schools encourage technology and you may even find online homework is given to students as young as five years old, the ‘Mathletics’ program is one example.

There are many apps available for toddlers, pre-schoolers, primary students and teens alike; read reviews online and speak to other parents and teachers about what apps are the best to enhance your child’s education whilst at the same time sharpening their tech skills.

5. Communication
Many families experience great periods of separation; dad may work on long stints away from home, mum might travel frequently, or grandma and grandpa might have found retirement peace on an investment vineyard in France.

Whatever the reason, modern technology allows families to stay in touch via Skype, Face Time, phone calls, texts, Facebook and Instagram, making the opportunities endless.

Be open and transparent when it comes to teaching your children about the potential risks associated with cyber space, such as interaction with strangers, bullying, etc, and provide a safe haven for them to talk about any concerns they might have. Your transparency with your children will allow you to guide them through the big world of tech, and you will be providing them an opportunity to fully master the art of online communication.

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