Growing Skilled Communicators
in a Digital World
Northwood School's Vision of the Graduate reflects what we believe about learning: that it is not only about mastering knowledge, but also about developing the habits, skills, and values that help students thrive in school and in life. One pillar of this vision is preparing students to be Skilled Communicators—young people who think critically, engage with information thoughtfully, and use technology with responsibility and care for their future.
For our younger learners, families can help lay the foundation for strong communciation skills by asking questions while reading or exploring age-appropriate websites together. Asking, “Who wrote this?” or “Why do you think it was written?” helps children begin to see that stories and information always come from a source. Reading a mix of books and safe websites, or using tools like PBS Kids Reading Games, can make this practice both fun and natural.
As students get older, the focus shifts to thinking more critically about what they see online. When your middle schooler brings up a headline or video, try asking, “How do you know this is true?” or encourage them to check a second source. At the same time, this is when students start shaping their digital footprint. A simple guideline is the “grandparent test”: if you wouldn’t want a grandparent to see it, it probably shouldn’t go online. Resources like Common Sense Media’s Family Agreements can also support positive conversations at home.
Together, families and schools can help students grow into confident, responsible communicators who know how to learn from the media around them while also making good choices about what they share. For more resources, visit Common Sense Media’s Parent Guides or ConnectSafely.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jocelyn
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