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THE SMART ZONE

Smart Families Be Smart Newsletter

Check out The Smart Zone: A collection of Be Smart Newsletters.

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2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

The Neuroscience Blueprint: Guiding The Smart Families Mission

We all want what’s best for our children. The #1 predictor of future success is not socioeconomic status or IQ, but the development of higher level executive functioning skills which are developed in the prefrontal cortex between 12-25 years old. These skills include organization, empathy, and self-control. We will show you how your brain develops naturally and how smartphones and certain online applications can permanently harm your child’s ability to develop these skills.

Smart Families: Uniting for a Stronger Community

Over the past 18 months there is growing awareness of the problems smartphones and social media are having on our health and well-being.  There is a mental health and addiction crisis, especially amongst adolescents, and people are finally talking about it. For us parents, this is a personal issue that demands urgency and is too important to wait for regulatory change or voluntary corporate goodwill. 

2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

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Green Time Summer

Bucket List

"The Green Time Summer Bucket List," a collaboration between Smart Families and Sarah Nielsen from SG Wellness and is designed to inspire families to embrace the outdoors and make the most of the summer season by spending more time outdoors soaking up the benefits of fresh air and physical activity. 

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May

Be Smart

Marvel at God's creations! Discover ways to remind children of His wonders through organizations like 1000 Hours Outside, integrating nature with prayer or by bringing it indoors! Explore the May Be Smart for swift tips on embracing nature.

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April

Smart Zone Newsletter

It is never too late. The April issue, Turn Around: Don't Drown. How to survive the digital tide and embrace the outdoors shares research on the impact of the outdoors on mental health, sleep and more. Break down fears and gift children healthy outdoor play. Learn the importance of awe and wonder. Don't let children be prisoners in a tech saturated world. 

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March

Be Smart Guide

"Can you unplug? In our technology-driven world, it's easy to overlook how tethered we've become to devices, missing out on meaningful connections with the people and activities that truly enrich our lives.

Moreover, there's a pervasive notion that children must be constantly engaged, leaving little room for the simple, yet profound, moments of quiet and reflection. It's time to embrace a new mantra: Let's BRING BOREDOM BACK! Discover the Be Smart Guide for strategies on purposefully disconnecting and welcome boredom into your child's life.  

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March

Smart Zone Newsletter

Connected or Distracted? Dive into the complex world of smartphones and their effects on students and social dynamics. Read insights from an experienced Pre-K teacher who sheds light on the changes she has seen in the classroom. Learn the science of loneliness and the growing concern over children feeling increasingly isolated. Discover the intricate balance between digital connectivity and the need for meaningful personal interactions in our children's lives.

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February 

Be Smart Guide

The role that families play in positive peer pressure is invaluable - especially today when peer to peer influence has surpassed parent to child. Learn more about how you can maintain a parental role that embodies appropriate values and exerts a beneficial impact on your child!

As a bonus: Check out our Family Values worksheet here! Come together as a family to identify what it most important to you!

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January

Smart Zone Newsletter

Navigating peer pressure as parents

in today's world comes with unique challenges, and one prevalent concern is the impact of peer pressure on our children. Learn about the science of peer pressure and practical strategies to empower your child in the face of peer influences.

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November

Be Smart Guide

Time is on your side! Learn about the "Second Window of Opportunity" and dopamine. Take the family challenge called the technology plunge and use our family discussion questions geared to get families thinking and talking! 

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October

Smart Zone Newsletter

Time to get smart! Learn about brain development and the impact of smartphones. Neurons, dendrites and dopamine dumps; all key factors of your child’s brain development. Use it or Loose it! 

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September

Be Smart Guide

Get ready to dream! Our September Be Smart guide takes you and your family to places you want to be - together. 

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August

Smart Zone Newsletter

A note from our founders, our mission, how we will help and an introduction to some research.

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