In a time when technology is so powerful, it's time to use it to our advantage. It's normal to feel a bit lost about how to use technology safely and effectively. That's why, in the following lines, we'll share some recommendations for incorporating it into your daily life in a way that benefits your children. Technology is very close to all of us and is part of our lives. Just think, for example, of the devices we use to communicate, receive information, or handle everyday tasks. Making use of the technological tools available to us brings benefits such as improving administrative tasks, reducing time spent on chores, and having virtual assistants available at any hour to answer questions. When we talk about bringing technology closer to children between 6 and 12 years old, the conversation usually centers on finding a balance between taking advantage of its benefits and finding ways to reduce the risks they may face. Among the benefits, technology can help reinforce what your children are learning at school, making learning more engaging for them. It can also help foster their creativity through editing and design programs. It's also a window into information, letting them explore even the farthest corners of the world or the most fascinating facts about the Universe. To make the most of technology with your children, we suggest focusing its use around one of these areas: Learn and play. Use games as a way to help them connect with school subjects like math, English, or reading. Search for answers and come up with new questions. You won't always have all the answers to their questions, so use trustworthy apps or websites to help find solutions. Explore and discover. Invite them to discover new places and fuel their dreams by learning about places, cultures, and communities from around the world. When your children are using technology for any of the purposes mentioned above, your role should be to guide and accompany them—getting involved in what they're doing, asking questions, and helping them discover more than they could on their own. The way you accompany them will strengthen your relationship and help them feel confident when using technology. Some sites you can explore together with your children include: Khan Academy, which offers content organized by grade level, along with exercises and videos on different school subjects. Scratch, ideal for sparking interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, where children can create using programming language at different levels. National Geographic Kids, known for its documentaries and information on the environment, geography, cultures, communities, and science, fostering curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. In a sea of information like the one we live in today, it's essential to keep certain digital safety considerations in mind. This is a necessary conversation to have with your children, so they understand the importance of not sharing personal information, recognizing inappropriate sites, knowing reliable sources of information such as educational institutions or well-known organizations, and filtering the information they find using effective search engines. To make this work, you can create clear, simple-to-follow rules—rather than just prohibiting things, build the rules together, set specific time periods for screen use, and use screens with a clear purpose in mind. It's important to remember that technology is a complement and a tool, not a substitute. Preparing children for the future is one of the principles that sets us apart as an institution, since the world is constantly changing and we want your children to grow up happy and secure. Technology is a great ally in achieving this and is also part of the well-rounded development we care about. Remember that technology can be an educational adventure for the whole family—learning together opens the door for your children to explore, discover, and go further.
