How to help your elementary school learner harness the power of ChatGPT

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I’m a mom and a woman in tech. And sometimes the ideals of both can be at odds with each other. But, this also makes me passionate about both topics. It makes me want to learn and explore so I can help my family on this journey!

In a few weeks, I’ll be talking (read: podcasting) about helping our kids find balance when it comes to learning with and using technology. I’m still working through my speaking notes but it made me want to get THIS post down on ‘paper’.

ChatGPT came blazing on to the scene for the general public a few months ago. And very quickly education systems started realizing how the immediate uses of this AI (as declared by general users described on reddit and tiktok) could be detrimental to the current (and well outdated) strategies of education. We quickly learned that ChatGPT could:

write essays
sail through the MCAT
take notes on a large piece of text / video

Now, I’m not saying that ChatGPT will be the great end all be all for disrupting how elementary schools operate, especially as there are some identified flaws:

provides comprehensive answers when they should be concise
can provide prejudice / biased responses
for some answers, it’s more wordy than it is detailed

So how can you help your elementary learner embrace AI and support their education?

generate vocab lists/review letter sounds
automate cue cards/questions for study session
learn new topics

Check out the gallery for some of the questions I asked and answers ChatGPT provided!

Blogmas | Gift guide for your daughters

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Sharing some of the gifts ideas for daughters. These work perfect for kids ages 5-8 and include STEM/STEAM & skill building! Hopefully this provides some ideas or you can click directly on the link to purchase on Amazon.ca!

Dot Lego bracelet making kits: Cute little way to design braclets using lego dots. Perfect way to keep kids entertained as a starter to legos for kids who don’t really like them
Build a robot with Remote Control: funny enough, building a robot like this was my university capstone project, now I’m buying them for my kids christmas presents! Great for the kid who wants to try their hand at building and controlling a robot.
Puffy sticker book: My kiddo loved another version of this book, it’s like playing dolls with thousands of possible outfits and activities.
Dance gear: of any gear to support their extra curriculars: dance shoes, personalized sparring pads, high bar.
Geodes kit: Awesome gift for the kid who’s into rocks and crystals. Adult help required, but you can actually crack the rocks to reveal the magnificent geodes.
Viral Tiktok Bedazzler: no explaination necessary – will be a popular choice for the kids and their moms alike lol!
Gimp: When kids are into making braclets, this is a great way for them to practice fine motor skills and following directions. This kit comes with key chain rings so can also be used to create gifts for grandparents or for school backpack zippers.
Lego friends: A step up from Dots but not as complex as a start wars set with 1000 pieces. Kids can follow the instructions and make the kit in 45 min or less. Then endless hours of fun!

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Going to weddings with our kiddos

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Bhanu Misra Marya

The last 2 weekends were spent busy with weddings. It’s definitely a different season of life we are in, as we are attending weddings as parents of two children.

Nowadays, we always come prepared with snacks and dinner (as food is usually not served at kid friendly times). We usually need to bring a stroller. Most of the rules we have at home go out the window for the night (i.e.: sure have some more cranberry juice, no veggies on your plate no problem!) Sitting on the floor to watch the bhangra performance is a rite of passage for a child at Indian weddings.

If you think taking kids to a wedding is a chore – you are right because you can’t really enjoy the wedding. Well that’s not entirely true sometimes you have friends and family who help out but usually it means you are leaving no later than 11:15pm. But taking your kids to a wedding (if it’s been approved by the bride and groom of course, usually Indian weddings are) is a perfect opportunity to practice teaching your kids respectful behaviour (i.e.: to be silent during the speeches or sitting still for a little longer than normal).

I personally know this time is FLEETING. There will come the day when my kids will say “nah we don’t want to come!!” :roll:

So I’ll enjoy taking them along while they don’t know they have a choice ;-)

3 EASY Festive (Non) Baking Ideas + Our Christmas Decor

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Bhanu Misra Marya

It’s that time of year where all I want to do is eat all of the sweet treats and go to all the potlucks. One day I would love the idea of being one of those mom’s that adores baking and cooking up a storm…buuuttt I already know that I am DEFINITELY one of those women who eats EVERYTHING on the dessert table so I really have to keep my sweet treat making in check! Aaaannnd I am always nervous I’ll mess up the recipe so I love the idea of #Bakinghacks :)

Stockings | Evergreen Garland | Floral Clip Ornaments

I do have some lunch and dinners planned with friends and family before Christmas, so I figured it would be a great option for me to flex my creative (non) baking muscle without worrying that I’ll eat everything on my own. I found some awesome options for faux-baking/pre-made cookie decorating LOL.

Fairy Lights | Garland | Frame

Pom Pom Garland

Elf on the Shelf

Floating Shelf | Mini Wicker Baskets (Similar) | Frames | Mason Jar

Ok so on to the no-bake-treats and cookie decorating ideas. I saw these and thought I would love to add a Christmas touch to our beloved peanut butter cookies. We literally make these cookies all year round. They are more or less guilt free and have no white sugar or flour. Just dip them in some melted dark chocolate and sprinkle some red, white and green sprinkles and they are a perfect holiday treat.

The Hubz loves turtles so these would be for him (I am not a fan of caramel) these are super easy and take literally 10 minutes. I can’t believe I’ve never made them before. I am just not sure if I should used salted or unsalted pretzels?

Lastly I have to at least attempt to make these DIY thin mints. I love girl guide cookies and being able to make these at Christmas (or even all year round would be brilliant).

Check out our christmas decorations from last year!