Teodora Pavkovic
Parenting in the Age of Technology
Educating, engaging and empowering children, adults and corporations by helping them become emotionally smart and digitally well.
Helping you stay present, emotionally connected and focused in the Digital Age.
ABOUT ME
I am a New York-based psychologist, parenting coach and speaker with over a decade of international experience helping both children and adults improve their emotional and mental well-being.
The practical workshops, inspiring talks and in-depth one-on-one sessions I conduct with my clients focus on raising emotional awareness, connecting with inner strengths and learning how to use technology in mindful and intentional ways as individuals, families and workplaces.
I first became interested in Parenting in the Age of Technology in 2016. While living in Singapore, where I practiced as a vision therapist and a psychotherapist, I began to suddenly notice children all around me glued to screens. Whether while sitting in the bus, at the dinner table in a restaurant or while being pushed around in a stroller, moments when children would typically be connected to their parents were suddenly becoming moments when they were connected to screen-based devices instead.
This got me wondering: What happens to the parent-child connection when you insert a device in between?
It is still too early in this tech-connected revolution to answer this question, but my mission has become to educate both children and parents about the importance of safety, connection, attention and affection - the pillars of not just healthy child development, but any healthy relationship too. My approach involves first helping you - the parent - quieten down the outside distractions of technology and manage your own thoughts and emotions, and by doing so, reconnect with your child. Parenting is the ultimate challenge, but parenting in the age of technology is a whole other endeavor.
As the infiltration of technology has spread to absolutely all areas of our life, so too has the need for me to reach ever wider and more diverse audiences, and so I not only speak at schools and with parents, but in workplaces and other corporate settings as well.
To learn more about my professional and academic background and find out how I can help you, please explore my website and get in touch.
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Campaign for a Commercial-free Childhood (Co-chair of Parenting Professionals Group)
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Advisory Board Member of Trehaus School, Singapore
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Board Advisor of Made of Millions, NY-based Mental Health Advocacy Group
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British Psychological Society (U.K.; Graduate Member)
Academic Background
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BSc Psychology (UMUC)
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MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology (Bangor University, U.K.)
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Professional Diploma in Psychotherapy (The School of Positive Psychology, Singapore)
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Strategic Intervention Certificate (Robbins Madanes Training, U.S.)
Prof. Memberships
Workshop Themes
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Emotional Intelligence training for teachers, therapists, parents and children
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Positive psychology & mindfulness training for children
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Building resilience in children: training for parents and teachers
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Adolescence: the challenges and opportunities
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Self-expression: improving authenticity, connectedness and communication
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Building self-esteem & confidence
Talks & Interviews
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"Device connected=Human Disconnected" The impact of technology on our brains and relationships
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"The impact of tech on children and their future"
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"Thinking positively and the science behind positive psychology"
In ACTION
NEWS & EVENTS
Virtual:
Made of Millions: Original Live Series on Mental Health
- Teodora Talks Tech -
In my first series I addressed Digital Wellness, in the second Positive Psychology, and now it's time to look at Self-Care Practices.
Series 3: The Self-Care Toolbox
Episode 5: Using Your Character Strengths
> Monday August 17th 10:00am EST <
You probably have a good sense of what you are good at, but could you get really specific about it and list your top 5 strengths? Being aware of our inner strengths and resources isn't only a great short-term mood-booster, but a fantastic resilience resource and gift that keeps on giving. In this episode, we will dive into the VIA Character Strengths Survey and explore how we can intentionally apply our character strengths when times are both good and bad.
Click on the button on the left to go to the Made of Millions You Tube channel!
Digital Balance for the Family
> August 13th noon EST <
Krissy Shields of Maha Mama and I are thrilled to invite you to the preview of the workshop we have been working on for the past year!
After running 2 in-person focus groups last year, we have adapted our content to the virtual world and will be taking bookings in September.
Join us on August 13th if you are a parent of a tween to learn more about our approach.
If you would like to express interest in our workshop and share some info with us, please complete this short survey and we will be in touch shortly.
Surfing the Tsunami of Change: Coping with Trauma, Stress and Anxiety
> August 13th 2020 <
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf”
Jon Kabat-Zinn
I am so honored to be taking part in this summit, and so excited to share it with you!
"Surfing the Tsunami of Change" features talks with Harville Hendrix, Gary Kraftsow, Amy Scher, Richard Miller, Elizabeth Lesser, Bob Roth and more, plus there are exclusive featured meditations and guided processes included. In addition, the Wisdom Feed team has assembled a great series of bonuses for the upgrade packages that we know will be of help to you and your community.
*The registration button will help you register via my affiliate link.
Sunday Night Slumber Party on IG!
> September 13th @ 8:30pm <
I'll be joining TTYL founder Liana Pavane to chat about the science and psychology behind Digital Wellness.
Put on your comfiest PJs and join us on Instagram!
Selection of Past Events:
Digital Independence: Obligation, Consent & Wellness
Beside the interruptions and distractions caused by digital communication, a major complaint people all around the world report is the sense of obligation that social media, in particular, imposes. In this webinar, we will take a closer look at this 'obligation phenomenon' and talk about it in the context of Digital Wellness [what it is and how we can practice it] and we'll explore the importance of consent when it comes to building up our Digital Independence.
For our fun and stimulating breakaway sessions, we are going to explore 4 pieces of innovative technology design and discuss their pros and cons. We'll be sharing our thoughts and feelings about the implementation of these technologies, and ultimately cast a vote on whether we think this piece of technology should become widely used.
This webinar is for: High school students, college students, and those who work with students.
> Thursday July 23rd 2020 3:00pm EST <
"You don't need another videoconference, but you could use some good conversation."
HUMANITECH
- June 17th & 18th 2020 -
Coming together for the very first time, a diverse community of over 25 thought leaders will be engaging in conversation at the very first inaugural virtual Digital Wellness conference.
Together with my organizing partner Anya Pecho, and with support from David Klein and Patrick McAndrew, I am thrilled to bring you architects, poets, neuroscientists and tech ethicists who will answer some of the most pressing questions around the impact of technology design, implementation and consumption on humanity.
50% of our ticket proceeds will be donated to a women and children's charity in NYC, so please purchase a ticket and share this event with your community.
See you at HUMANITECH!
SOCIAL MEDIA
SERVICES
I work one-on-one with children, parents and non-parent adults. I help my clients with issues of digital wellness, parenting in the age of technology and improving emotional health and wellbeing.
Group Work
I deliver tailor-made workshops, talks and trainings for teams at schools, universities, workplaces and cultural institutions like museums.
Public Speaking
I frequently speak on podcasts and panels, as well as conferences and documentary film interviews.
Individual Work
RECOMMENDED READING & FREE RESOURCES
Children & Parenting:
"The Optimistic Child," by Martin E. P. Seligman
"Brainstorm," by Daniel J. Siegel
"The Whole-Brain Child," by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
"No-Drama Discipline," by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
"Parenting from the Inside Out," by Daniel J. Siegel & Mary Hartzell
"Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child," by John Gottman with Joan Declaire
"The Empathy Effect," Helen Riess with Liz Neporent
Neuroscience:
"The Brain That Changes Itself," by Norman Doidge
"Wired to Connect," by Amy Banks with Leigh Hirschman
Positive Psychology:
"The Myths of Happiness," by Sonja Lyubomirsky
"The How of Happiness," by Sonja Lyubomirsky
"Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience," by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
"The Art of Gathering," by Priya Parker
"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," by Carol S. Dweck
"Hector and the Search for Happiness," Francois Lelord
Self-development:
"The Person You Mean to Be," by Dolly Chugh
"Why Him? Why Her?," by Helen Fisher
"Quiet," by Susan Cain
"Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl
"The Schopenhauer Cure," by Irvin D. Yalom
"When Nietzsche Wept," by Irvin D. Yalom
