Responsibility Check for Smartphone Readiness

All of your daughter's classmates in sixth (or as early as fourth!) grade seem to have a smartphone and she constantly asks you and the gods of technology for one. Your son hits middle school and declares it a prerequisite for academic success. But while about half of children in the United States own a smartphone by age 11, is your child really ready for a device that's often addictive even for parents? Before making a decision, consider their level of responsibility to determine readiness.

The Power of Alone Time

Helping Children Grow Through Solitude

Parents often think back on their own childhoods when deciding how best to raise their children. For many, those memories are from a time before the internet, cell phones, and social media - when quiet, unstructured moments were simply a part of life. Those same parents recall long swaths of time spent alone, finding creative ways to stave off boredom and learning to enjoy their own company. Today, however, in a world filled with digital distractions and tightly scheduled activities, it can be challenging to know how much time children should be left to themselves.

Although spending quality time with children is among the most critical things parents can do to make them feel safe and loved, it’s equally important to prepare them for independence by letting them build independence. Giving children time alone—free from structured activities or external input—helps foster self-reliance, creativity, and emotional resilience.

Celebrating 15 Years of Young Talent Big Dreams 

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, in partnership with presenting sponsor The Children’s Trust, is thrilled to announce the 15th-anniversary season of Young Talent Big Dreams. As Miami-Dade County’s most celebrated free youth talent competition, this year marks a milestone—a quince for a program that has launched thousands of young performers on their journeys to stardom. 

This landmark year invites kids ages 8-18 to step into the spotlight and showcase their skills across a wide array of categories, including music, dance, voice, spoken word, and original composition. Over the past 15 years, Young Talent Big Dreams has become a staple in the Miami arts community, serving as a springboard for local talent to achieve national and even international acclaim. 

The Trust Receives Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 12th Year in Row

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade is proud to announce that it has earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 12th consecutive year. This honor underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility in managing public funds for the benefit of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

Looking for an after-school program for your child? Check out the More After-School Choices page for hundreds of free and low-cost after-school programs

The Children’s Trust Parent Club offers FREE, countywide workshops on relevant topics about raising children that are successful, healthy, and happy. 

Do you like what you are reading in this month's Parenting Our Children Newsletter? Let us know with comments, suggestions and more at MyStories@TheChildrensTrust.org