Parents

Exploring Parenting Styles and Media Use: A Deep Dive into Common Sense

by
Parenting

In today’s digital age, media use among children has become an increasingly important topic for parents. As technology continues to advance, parents are faced with the challenge of balancing their children’s exposure to various forms of media with their own parenting styles. This article aims to delve into the world of parenting styles and media use, with a particular focus on the insights provided by Common Sense Media (CSM) and the Parent Media and Technology Use (PMTCU) research center.

Why Media Use and Parenting Style Matters

Parenting style and media use are two critical aspects of modern child-rearing that intersect in numerous ways. With the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and computers, children have unprecedented access to screen-based media from a very young age. This raises important questions about the impact of media consumption on child development and how different parenting styles influence these outcomes.

In this article, we’ll explore:

  1. Parenting Magazines and Their Role in Shaping Parenting Styles
  2. The Influence of Acknowledgment in Parenting
  3. The Association Between TV Viewing and Parent-Child Relationships
  4. Screen Time Guidelines for Children: Insights from National Institutes of Health
  5. Media Use and Child Development: The Research Question
  6. Media Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  7. Digital Childhood and Its Implications for Parenting
  8. Screen Exposure and Its Impact on Health
  9. Expert Advice on Managing Screen Time
  10. The Role of Supportive Communities in Balancing Media Use

1. Parenting Magazines and Their Role in Shaping Parenting Styles

Parenting magazines have long been a source of guidance for parents seeking information on how to navigate the challenges of raising children. These publications often provide advice on a wide range of topics, including media use. However, the information presented in parenting magazines can vary widely, reflecting different parenting styles and beliefs.

Common Sense Media, a well-known resource for parents, offers reviews and recommendations for media content suitable for children of all ages. By acknowledging the diverse needs of parents and children, Common Sense Media helps parents make informed decisions about what their child watches, plays, and interacts with.

2. The Influence of Acknowledgment in Parenting

Acknowledgment is a fundamental aspect of effective parenting. Parents who acknowledge their child’s interests and preferences in media content are more likely to build a positive and open parent-child relationship. Common Sense Media’s approach recognizes the importance of acknowledging children’s individuality and tailoring media choices accordingly.

3. The Association Between TV Viewing and Parent-Child Relationships

Numerous studies have explored the association between TV viewing and parent-child relationships. Understanding how media consumption impacts the dynamics between parents and children is crucial. We’ll delve into the research findings on this topic and explore ways parents can create a healthy balance between screen time and quality time with their children.

4. Screen Time Guidelines for Children: Insights from National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers guidelines for screen time among children. We’ll discuss these guidelines and the role they play in shaping parenting practices and attitudes towards media use.

5. Media Use and Child Development: The Research Question

Researchers have posed critical questions about the impact of media use on child development. We’ll explore these research questions and the findings that have emerged from various studies in this area.

6. Media Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered daily routines, including how families manage media use. We’ll examine how the pandemic influenced media use among children and the strategies parents employed to adapt to these changes.

7. Digital Childhood and Its Implications for Parenting

As digital technology continues to evolve, children are growing up in a world vastly different from that of previous generations. We’ll discuss the concept of a “digital childhood” and the challenges it presents to parents.

8. Screen Exposure and Its Impact on Health

Excessive screen exposure can have adverse effects on a child’s health, including issues related to physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being. We’ll explore the research on this topic and provide insights into how parents can mitigate these risks.

9. Expert Advice on Managing Screen Time

Parenting experts and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Kaiser Family Foundation offer valuable advice on managing screen time. We’ll highlight their recommendations and provide practical tips for parents.

10. The Role of Supportive Communities in Balancing Media Use

In today’s connected world, supportive communities and networks play a vital role in helping parents make informed decisions about media use. We’ll discuss the importance of seeking guidance from peers and experts in the field.

Key Takeaways

  • Parenting style plays a significant role in shaping how parents manage media use in their households.
  • Common Sense Media provides valuable resources for parents to make informed decisions about the media content their children consume.
  • Acknowledgment of children’s preferences is essential for building a positive parent-child relationship.
  • TV viewing can impact the dynamics between parents and children, making it crucial to find a healthy balance.
  • The NIH’s screen time guidelines offer a framework for parents to manage their child’s media exposure.
  • Ongoing research explores the impact of media use on child development and raises important questions for parents to consider.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to shifts in how families manage media use, highlighting the need for adaptability.
  • The concept of digital childhood presents new challenges and opportunities for parents.
  • Excessive screen exposure can have adverse effects on a child’s health, emphasizing the need for moderation.
  • Seeking advice from parenting experts and supportive communities can help parents navigate the complex landscape of media use.

In conclusion, the relationship between parenting styles and media use is a multifaceted one that warrants careful consideration. By staying informed and actively engaging with their children’s media consumption, parents can create a healthy and balanced environment that supports their child’s development while respecting their individuality. Balancing media use and parenting practices is an ongoing journey that requires adaptability and a commitment to fostering positive parent-child relationships in the digital age.

Pros of Media Use in Parenting Styles:

  1. Educational Content: Media platforms offer a wide range of educational content, such as educational apps, documentaries, and interactive games. These resources can enhance a child’s learning experience.
  2. Entertainment and Relaxation: Well-chosen media content can provide a source of entertainment and relaxation for both parents and children, offering a break from the demands of daily life.
  3. Social Connection: In an increasingly digital world, media can help children stay connected with friends and family, especially in cases of long-distance relationships or during periods of isolation.
  4. Parental Guidance: Parents can use media as a tool for teaching important lessons and values. They can watch educational shows or engage in media-related activities with their children, fostering shared experiences.
  5. Information and Resources: Media outlets and parenting magazines provide valuable information and resources that can assist parents in making informed decisions about various aspects of child-rearing.
  6. Technology Proficiency: Exposure to media and technology from an early age can help children develop essential digital literacy skills, which are increasingly important in today’s world.

Additional Resources

For parents looking to delve deeper into the topic of media use and parenting styles, there are numerous additional resources available. Some of these include:

  • Common Sense Media: Common Sense Media (CSM) is an invaluable resource for parents seeking detailed reviews and recommendations for movies, TV shows, books, apps, and games suitable for children of all ages. Their website offers a wealth of information to help parents make informed choices about media content.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): AAP provides guidelines and recommendations on various aspects of child health, including media use. Their insights are grounded in scientific research and can help parents understand the potential impact of media on their children’s well-being.
  • Parenting Magazines: Don’t overlook the value of parenting magazines in shaping your parenting style. These publications often feature articles and advice on media use, among other parenting topics.
  • Online Parenting Communities: Joining online parenting communities and forums can be an excellent way to connect with other parents facing similar challenges. These communities often provide a platform for sharing experiences and seeking advice.

Cons of Media Use in Parenting Styles:

  1. Excessive Screen Time: Excessive screen time can have negative consequences on a child’s physical and mental health. It may lead to sedentary behavior, reduced physical activity, and sleep disturbances.
  2. Content Quality: Not all media content is suitable for children, and inappropriate or violent content can negatively impact a child’s development. Parents must be vigilant in monitoring what their children are exposed to.
  3. Diminished Social Skills: Overreliance on screen-based media can lead to diminished social skills in children, as they may spend less time engaging in face-to-face interactions.
  4. Impact on Academic Performance: Excessive media use can interfere with a child’s academic performance, as it may lead to distractions from homework and other educational activities.
  5. Strain on Parent-Child Relationship: In some cases, disagreements over media use can create tension within the parent-child relationship. Setting and enforcing screen time limits can be a source of conflict.
  6. Health Concerns: Excessive media use has been linked to a range of health concerns, including obesity, poor nutrition choices, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
  7. Privacy and Safety: Children’s online activities can pose privacy and safety risks, as they may unknowingly share sensitive information or interact with strangers. Parents must educate their children about online safety.

 FAQs

Q1: How much screen time is appropriate for my child?

A1: The appropriate amount of screen time varies depending on your child’s age, but general guidelines recommend limiting screen time for children aged 2 to 5 to one hour per day of high-quality content. For older children and teenagers, it’s important to strike a balance between screen time and other activities, such as physical play, homework, and socializing.

Q2: Can media content really be educational for my child?

A2: Yes, media content can be educational when chosen wisely. There are many educational apps, games, and TV programs that are designed to promote learning. Look for content that aligns with your child’s age and interests and has a clear educational purpose.

Q3: How can I ensure my child’s online safety while using media?

A3: Online safety is crucial. Set up parental controls, educate your child about safe online behavior, and encourage open communication. Teach them not to share personal information and to be cautious about interacting with strangers online.

Q4: What is the impact of excessive screen time on my child’s health?

A4: Excessive screen time can have adverse effects on physical and mental health. It can lead to issues like obesity, poor posture, sleep disturbances, and may contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. It’s important to monitor screen time to prevent these health risks.

Q5: Should I completely ban screens for my child?

A5: Total screen bans are not always practical or necessary. Instead, focus on setting reasonable limits and promoting quality screen time. Encourage a balance between screen-based activities and other essential aspects of childhood, such as physical play and face-to-face social interactions.

conclusion 

media use in parenting styles and child development comes with both advantages and disadvantages. The key lies in moderation, informed decision-making, and open communication between parents and children. By carefully curating media content, setting reasonable screen time limits, and engaging with children about their digital experiences, parents can harness the benefits of media while mitigating potential drawbacks. Ultimately, a balanced approach to media use can contribute positively to a child’s growth and development.

So you want to be a sound designer or voice over artist

by
voice

Hey there, sounds like you’ve got your sights set on a career as a sound designer or voice actor. That’s awesome! The world of voice-over is an exciting one with so many opportunities these days in film, television, audiobooks, animation, video games, and beyond. Whether you dream of doing character voices for cartoons, recording audiobooks in your home studio, or designing unique sounds for the latest action-packed video game, this could be a rewarding career path for you. The key is getting the right training to hone your craft and make valuable industry connections. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to get started as a professional voice actor, from finding the best voiceover schools and online courses to acing your first audition and building your demo reel. If you’ve got talent, passion, and persistence, a successful career as a sound design or voice over artist could be within your reach. Let’s dive in!

Becoming a Professional Voice Actor: Essential Skills and Training

To become a professional voice actor, you need to develop certain skills and complete proper training.

Learn Proper Technique

The foundation of voice acting is vocal technique. Study breath support, vocal projection, and mic technique. Take classes on commercial, animation, and audiobook voicing. Work with a voice coach who can give you feedback on your reads and help you improve.

Build Your Demo Reel

A demo reel showcases your abilities to prospective clients. Start with a commercial demo, then add animation, audiobook, and promo demos as your skills improve. Your demos should feature a variety of reads in different styles, tones, and genres. Update your demos every 6-12 months to demonstrate your progress.

Gain Experience

Look for opportunities to gain experience, like interning at a recording studio, volunteering to read for LibriVox, or participating in crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Reach out to independent creators making short films, animations, video games, or podcasts and offer to provide voiceover work for their projects to build up your credits.

Consider Certification

While not always required, certifications from organizations like VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) or SOVAS (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences) can help establish your credibility. They also provide additional training and networking opportunities.

With hard work and persistence, you can develop a successful career as a professional voice actor. But remember, it takes continuous practice and dedication to your craft to reach the top of this competitive field. Stay passionate, keep learning, and don’t give up. The opportunities are out there if you have the skills and talent to seize them.

How to Prepare for a Voice Acting Audition and Book Gigs

So you want to break into the exciting world of voice acting? There are a few key things you’ll need to prepare for auditions and land those first big gigs.

Research the role

Do your homework and learn as much as you can about the character, project, and company. Understand the tone, traits, and style they’re looking for so you can deliver an authentic performance. Check the audition listing for any scripts or sides to practice ahead of time.

Prepare and practice

Once you have the details of the role down, practice! Run through the copy multiple times while visualizing the scene and character. Record yourself and play it back to identify any areas that could use improvement. Get comfortable with the material so you can focus on your performance during the actual audition.

Choose your equipment

Invest in a high-quality microphone to capture your voice clearly. Condenser mics are popular for voice acting. You’ll also want a digital audio workstation (DAW) to record, edit and mix your audio files. Many voice actors use programs like Audacity, Adobe Audition or Pro Tools.

Promote yourself

Build your online presence to help you find and book more work. Start a website to showcase your demo reels, headshots, and credentials. Be active on networks like Voices.com, Voice123 and Voice Bunny. And don’t forget social media! Engaging with followers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn can lead to new opportunities.

With the right preparation and persistence, you’ll be well on your way to landing voice acting roles and establishing a successful career. Now get out there and let your voice be heard!

Voice Acting Techniques: Breathing, Enunciation, and Vocal Control

To become a professional voice actor, you’ll need to master some essential techniques. Developing vocal control and learning proper breathing and enunciation are the fundamentals of voice acting.

Breathing

Take deep breaths from your diaphragm to give your voice power and help you speak clearly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, keeping your chest open. Practice breath control by taking a deep breath and speaking a short phrase like “one, two, three” on a single exhale. Work your way up to full sentences and longer passages.

Enunciation

Pronounce each word carefully by articulating with your lips, teeth and tongue. Pay attention to endings like “-ed” and “-s”. Practice tongue twisters to improve clarity and avoid slurring words together. Record yourself and listen back to identify any lazy speech patterns. Crisp, precise enunciation is key.

Vocal Control

Learn to project confidence and modify your tone, pace, pitch and volume. Speak with energy and enthusiasm. Raise and lower your pitch for emphasis. Speed up or slow down your speaking rate when appropriate. Increase your volume for animated characters or decrease for mysterious ones. With regular practice, you can strengthen and extend your vocal range.

Other useful skills include:

•Accents and Dialects: Study and imitate different accents to expand your repertoire.

•Improvisation: Think on your feet and ad lib lines spontaneously.

•Script Analysis: Interpret the tone, themes, and character motivations to deliver an authentic performance.

•Acting Techniques: Apply skills like emotional recall and sensory memory to connect with your character.

With diligent practice of these techniques, you’ll gain complete control and mastery over your voice. You’ll be able to manipulate tone, pace, pitch, and volume to portray a wide range of characters and bring scripts to life. That’s the mark of a true professional voice actor.

Sound Design for Voiceovers: Editing, Mixing, Effects, and More

As a voice actor, an important skill to develop is sound design. This includes editing and mixing your audio recordings to improve the overall quality and impact. With some training, you can take your work to the next level by adding effects and making your own custom backgrounds and soundscapes.

Editing

After recording your voiceover, listen back to identify any areas that need improvement. You may need to re-record certain lines or even entire sections. Edit out any long pauses, stumbles or background noises. Use fade ins and outs to smoothly transition between edits. Basic editing tools allow you to splice, cut, paste and adjust the timing of audio clips.

Mixing

Mixing is balancing the levels of multiple audio tracks to create a cohesive final product. For voiceovers, you’ll normally just be working with a single voice track, but you can also add background music or ambient noise. Use volume sliders to set relative levels for each component. Add EQ, compression or reverb effects to polish the overall sound.

Effects

Voice effects can dramatically transform your recordings. Pitch shifting alters the tone of your voice. Flanging creates a metallic, swirling effect. Echo adds dimension by replicating your voice. Distortion roughs up the sound for a grittier tone. These effects are great for creature voices, futuristic bots and more.

Soundscapes

If your voiceover calls for it, you can design a full soundscape. Add atmospheric tones like wind, engines or crowds. Spot effects like door slams, button pushes or footsteps help bring a scene to life. Ambient loops create ongoing background textures. Layer multiple tracks for environments that feel open and expansive.

With practice, you’ll get comfortable recording, editing and mixing your own professional-quality voiceovers. Developing skills in sound design allows you to not just read copy, but actually help craft the mood and tone of what you’re voicing. You’ll open up more opportunities and increase your value as a voice actor.

Launching Your Voiceover Career: Agents, Demos, Marketing, and Going Pro

Once you’ve honed your craft and built up your experience, it’s time to take the next step and launch your professional voiceover career. This means finding representation, creating a demo reel, and marketing your services.

Agents and Managers

To gain access to higher-paying jobs, consider signing with a voiceover agent or manager. They will help you find auditions and negotiate contracts while taking a percentage of your earnings. Do research to find reputable agencies that represent voice actors. You’ll need to submit an audition to be considered for their roster.

Demo Reels

A demo reel showcases your abilities to potential clients. Work with a professional to record short samples of your voice in different styles. Include spots for commercials, audiobooks, documentaries, and more. Your reel should be high-quality and 60 to 90 seconds in length. Update it every few years to reflect your ongoing experience.

Marketing

Don’t rely solely on your agent to find work. Promote yourself by building a professional website to highlight your credits and share your demo. Start a mailing list and social media profiles dedicated to your voiceover business. Network at industry events and reach out to contacts at recording studios, production companies, and advertising agencies. Consider joining relevant professional organizations.

Going Pro

Once you start booking regular, paid work through your agent or self-marketing efforts, you can consider yourself a professional voice actor. Continue gaining experience, improve your skills, keep your demos up to date, and maintain your marketing. Over time, you can increase your rates and land bigger, higher-paying jobs. With dedication, you’ll establish a successful career as a voiceover artist.

The key is persistence and continuous effort. Launching a freelance career takes time and there will be ups and downs. But with passion for your craft, the right skills, and smart business practices, you can achieve your goal of becoming a professional, working voice actor. Stay determined and don’t give up!

Conclusion

So now you’ve got the tools, the talent, and the training. It’s time to get out there and start auditioning. Remember, rejection is part of the game, so develop a thick skin and don’t get discouraged. With hard work and persistence, you’ll book your first job. Then another, and another. Before you know it, you’ll be living the dream as a professional voice actor. Who knows, you may even end up with your own sound studio and a roster of clients. The possibilities are endless if you have the passion and dedication. Now go make some noise! The world of voice acting is yours for the taking. Break a mic!