Brainstorming on doing the best for our kids

 In today’s digital age, children are growing up in a world where social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat play a significant role in their lives. Many kids enjoy the social interaction and feel the need to always be connected.  We encourage trying to stay in the real world more than the virtual world and trying these could help. 

• screen time rules 
• tech-free zones (times + places)
• model good behavior 
• use of technology purposefully 

Shows like “Beavis and Butthead”, and “The Simpsons” can be entertaining, but they likely don't instill the values that we want our kids to adopt.  

With less stay-at-home parenting and more media influence, we need to be more intentional in finding moments to be influencers in our kids' lives and nudge them down paths we feel will make them happy and good members of society in the future.

It's pretty common for young parents to be in survival mode to take care of their young children, get to work, pay the bills, do a few chores, and maybe get some sleep.  Time passes and kids go to daycare and school and eventually assume where they become teenagers. We took care of them, did the best we could, and assuming that we are good people, the kids absorbed many of our good traits. That's probably enough to check the good parent box.

We hope that APE Awards can be a tool for you to be proactive in building your child's confidence and preparing them for the future.

 Around the ages of 10 to 12, children’s brains undergo a fundamental shift. They become more attuned to social rewards—compliments, likes, and attention from peers. Specifically, receptors for the “happy hormones” oxytocin and dopamine multiply in a brain region called the ventral striatum. This makes preteens extra sensitive to admiration and approval from others. Social media activity is closely tied to this brain region, triggering dopamine and oxytocin rushes whenever we experience social rewards 

 Apps like TikTok, with their short-form videos, provide instant and constant gratification. The constant hits of dopamine—released when the brain expects a reward—reinforce the use of such platforms. Watching personalized, algorithm-selected videos activates reward centers in the brain even more than random videos. It’s no wonder that kids find these platforms captivating and addictive 

 Historically, the drive for approval helped kids and teens develop social skills and connections. However, today’s landscape is different. Posting a video on TikTok that garners thousands of views and likes is a far cry from hoping your crush will smile at you in the hallway. As parents, educators, and mentors, we must strike a balance. How can we encourage our children to seek genuine connections while avoiding the pitfalls of constant validation? 

APE Awards may look like trophies or even toys, but to us they repreesnt a teachable moment where a parent, teacher, coach or friend  can have a positive impact on a youngster.  These customized awards celebrate achievements related to attitude, performance, effort and more.  It may not seem normal to receive an award for kindness, but if we want our children to be kind, it is effective.  Each award comes with a personalized message—a powerful tool for shaping character. By recognizing positive behavior, we guide our children toward a happier future.

 So, explore the various awards and example promises on your website. Consider how an award, tailored to deliver a more targeted message, can inspire your child, student, or athlete. Let’s help them continue down a path that aligns with their values and aspirations. Together, we can navigate the digital landscape and foster resilience, authenticity, and well-being in our young minds.