Growing Minds, LLC

05/09/2024

What do kids think about their device usage? Let's get inside children's minds and explore their unique attitudes and perspectives towards media and screens!

Youth Outlook: What Do Kids Say About Their Media Use? May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by Anya Dashevsky In today’s digital era, screen usage often fuels parent-child conflicts, especially during adolescence. From disputes over owning a smartphone to signing up for social media accounts – these issues ar...

05/09/2024

Is my child spending too much time on screens? Are they addicted to social media? How much is too much, and should I be worried? Read this article to find out!

Extensive vs. Problematic Media Use: What’s the Difference? May 1, 2024May 1, 2024 by Anya Dashevsky “My daughter is always on the phone. If I try to take her phone away from her, she’ll have a meltdown. She’s constantly waiting for her friends to text her.” Parent Quote. “If we don’t...

04/05/2024

Screens are everywhere, but not all screens are created equal. What content are children consuming online?

Snapchat to Minecraft: What Content Are Children Consuming Online?  January 19, 2024March 22, 2024 by Anya Dashevsky Screens are everywhere, but not all screens are created equal. Children use screens and media for a variety of purposes; however, the quality of the content matters. There’s a dist...

04/02/2024

How much time do children and teens spend on screens? Read this article to find out!

Screen Time Usage: Pre-Pandemic, Pandemic, & the Present October 27, 2023October 30, 2023 by Anya Dashevsky Even prior to the pandemic, children’s access to and the duration of screen use has been on the rise. From 2015 to 2019, entertainment screen use went up by 3% for tweens and 11% for teens. ...

03/28/2024

Screen use poses a challenge for many families today. We're introducing a new series of articles that examine the use of media among children and adolescents and how parents can help their children navigate the digital realm more healthily. Check out the first article via the link below!

Parenting in the Age of Screens October 27, 2023October 30, 2023 by Anya Dashevsky “I have noticed both my older children are quicker to anger after screens are taken away. They ask for screen time constantly and are in a terrible mood when I say no.”– Parent Quote “I don’t like how my son...

06/21/2022

Check out our latest post about how to talk to kids about war on the Growing Minds blog!

http://growingmindspsych.com/blog/2022/06/17/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-war/

05/25/2021

Check out the latest post on the Growing Minds blog!

http://growingmindspsych.com/blog/2021/05/25/children-and-screens-during-covid-19/ -315

Children and Screens During COVID-19 May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 by Anya Dashevsky Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s screen use was a point of concern for many caregivers and professionals alike. Children have watched T.V for decades now, and with the introduction of computer...

05/08/2021

Join myself, Dr. Anya Dashevsky, as well as Growing Minds intern, Grace Murphy, next Wednesday May 12th from 12:00-1:00pm while we discuss, “Navigating Children’s Screen Use in a Post-Pandemic World” as a part of Fusion Academy's, Speaker Series!

The event is open to the public and welcomes caregivers, professionals, and those wishing to learn more about navigating children's screen use. To learn more about the topics we will be discussing, as well as to RSVP for the virtual event, click the link below:
https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/burlington/event/navigating-childrens-screen-use-in-the-post-pandemic-world/

04/12/2021

http://growingmindspsych.com/blog/2021/04/12/the-covid-19-pandemic-what-has-been-difficult-for-children-and-how-they-are-adapting-to-change/

"It has been over a year now since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world continues to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19, it is important to acknowledge the ways in which children have been affected specifically."

The COVID-19 Pandemic: What Has Been Difficult for Children and How They Are Adapting to Change April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 by Anya Dashevsky It has been over a year now since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world continues to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19, it is imp...

11/24/2020

The range of activities that children have been able to participate in has been limited over the course of 2020. As it gets colder, what are some things to consider when making decisions about outdoor activities? What can you do to help keep kids safe and healthy during winter of 2020?

http://www.bestcaretoday.com/articles/708/

The decision to participate in sports and other indoor activities isn't a simple yes or no. Here's what to keep in mind as you consider ways to keep your kids active during the COVID-19 pandemic.

11/13/2020

“Parenting a young child is already stressful at times. That’s why it’s important to remember to take care of yourself, too. When you feel calmer, it’s easier to be there for your children and meet their needs.”

With young children at home during COVID-19, parents may put the idea of self-care on the back burner while busy making sure everyone else’s needs are being met. Now more than ever, self-care is important for parents. This article from Zero to Three explores some of the ways in which parents can take care of themselves, while caring for others.

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3262-young-children-at-home-during-the-covid-19-outbreak-the-importance-of-self-care

Self-care is not selfish or indulgent—it’s how we keep ourselves well to ensure we are physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of being there for our young children.

11/07/2020

For many children, adjusting to a virtual format for most of their daily activities has been a challenge. This article from Child Mind Institute addresses some of the ways in which the pandemic has affected children with social anxiety, and discusses ways in which we can we best support them during this time.

https://childmind.org/article/coping-with-social-anxiety-during-social-distancing/

Staying connected can be tough for anxious kids. Here's how parents can help.

10/30/2020

Do you, just like every other parent right now, worry that your children are spending too much time on screens? From trouble sleeping to a loss of focus and energy- this article from Common Sense Media identifies some of the signs of screen overload, and how to handle them.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/5-signs-of-screen-overload-and-how-to-handle-them

From poor sleep to headaches, signs that it's time for kids to take a break can take many forms. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

10/26/2020

The past several months have brought an increasing amount of change in the lives of adults and children everywhere. While we are adjusting to a new way of life, it is important to keep in mind the three basic psychological needs for well-being. With these needs in mind, we can continue to help support our children and help them to grow and thrive, even during these unpredictable times.

http://growingmindspsych.com/blog/2020/10/10/childrens-3-basic-psychological-needs-and-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Children’s 3 Basic Psychological Needs and the COVID-19 Pandemic October 10, 2020October 26, 2020 by Anya Dashevsky The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ways in which children around the world are learning, playing, and interacting. Understandably, parents have felt worried and uncert...

10/25/2020

As we have been spending more and more time on screens due to the pandemic, it is all the more important to keep in mind the benefits of spending time in nature. This article by the American Psychological Association offers insights on the ways in which spending time in nature can provide cognitive benefits, as well as improvements in mood and mental health.

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

Feature Nurtured by nature Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time in nature can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition By Kirsten Weir Date created: April 1, 2020 12 min read Vol. 51, No. 3 Print version: page 50 CITE THIS American Psychological Association. (...

10/16/2020

As temperatures begin to drop, many parents are wondering how their children can continue interacting with peers during the pandemic. In Norway, the concept of “friluftsliv”, or “open-air living”, is embraced, no matter how cold it is. This article explains more about how parents and children can continue to embrace the outdoors during the pandemic, despite the dropping temperatures.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/09/how-norways-friluftsliv-could-help-us-through-a-coronavirus-winter/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Get outside, says this Norwegian concept that promises to make the pandemic’s colder months more bearable.

10/05/2020

“Screen Time During the Coronavirus Crisis: What Limits are Appropriate When Kids are Stuck at Home?”

This article from Child Mind Institute offers some helpful insights on how to manage screen time with children while they are learning remotely.

https://childmind.org/article/screen-time-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/

Tips for managing your child's screen time now that everything from school to birthday parties is happening online.

09/25/2020

As children head back to school amidst a pandemic, whether remotely or in-person, many parents are feeling overwhelmed.

This article provides some helpful tips to keep in mind about parenting during a pandemic.

https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/advice-parenting.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2BQmHfKQ2kNQVMU6-0sP81LW-PuRk9zxChzZZgaNl14VNetFwbznNVv_c