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May 7, 2008
By: Amanda Fornecker
With summer quickly approaching and the last bell about to ring, you’ll want to keep your kids occupied outdoors or on those rainy summer days where hanging by the pool just isn’t an option. We’ve come up  with a list of eight fun projects for your crafty kids. Check ‘em out below!
The young fashionista
Let your young fashionista jazz up her wardrobe this summer with IToys Girl Zone Jewelry. From bangles to rings to graphic tees, she’ll love this craft full of glitz, glam, and glitter. Her unique creations may even get her started on thinking about a future career. This cool product won’t be available until August, so if you can’t wait that long check out Alex Bead Bash Jewelry Making Kit from Target stores.
Playing with dough
For those children with active imaginations who like to mold new (and old) things into their own special creations, check out Make Your Own Playdough, Paint, and Other Craft Materials: Easy Recipes to Use with Young Children (Redleaf Press, 2007). The book tells the eager parent the materials and steps to use to help their kids make their very own special playdough and more.
A jammin’ treat
Looking for a special summertime treat? Why not help your child create some delicious jam? Ball’s No Cook Freezer Pectin Jam is a yummy treat that you can create with your child in a matter of minutes. Spice up this craft by placing the same mixture in popsicle molds and freezing them with yogurt for an after-dinner treat.
 Lasting summer memories
September always brings the “What I did on my summer vacation” essays. Help your child keep track with Crayola’s Digital Camera Scrapbooking Kit. You’ll take pictures, make a book, and create stories that will last a lifetime. The kit comes with a digital camera and case, markers, a CD with games, and more.
Outdoor activities
More than just taking the kids out to the playground to interact with others, why not have them interact with you? Nature’s Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors (Chicago Review Press, 2007) is a book that has a variety of activities you can complete along with your child. So get out there and have a good time enjoying kid activities!
From the experts
Craft stores are the perfect places to find the most creative projects and materials. At JoAnn’s Craft Store, the crafting experts have come up with special craft kits especially for those with an artsy disposition. Some of these cool crafts include  creating flip-flops, bookmarks, and necklaces.
A sunny day
Why not make a craft fun and functional? With Protect A Bub’s Sun Hat kits, your child can paint his or her hat and then wear it outside to protect their sensitive heads and faces from the summer sun’s strong rays. It’s fashionable, practical, and affordable. Your child will love being creative with their paint and showing off their fabulous new creation!
Christmas in July
Have your children make their very own ornaments that they can hang on the tree in December, but enjoy in the summer. With DAS modeling clay and Prang paints, both sold at Office Depot, your children will get crafty and artsy, while giving you a special keepsake for a special holiday.
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Fun toddler craft ideas
Making a family time capsule
May 5, 2008
By Michelle Bruns
You have always wanted the best for your bundle of joy, and his education is no exception. With so many choices, from homeschool to public and private schools galore, how are you supposed to know which one is the best for your little Einstein?
According to the most recent National Center for Education Statistics, the number of homeschool students is up 29 percent from 1999, totaling approximately 1.1 million in 2003. While a fraction compared to the 48,540,000 children who attended public school and 6,099,000 students who attended private schools the same year, the trend toward homeschooling seems to be growing.
There are both positives and negatives no matter which option you choose. Here are a few of the common concerns for many parents:
Socialization
Both public and private have peer pressure, which is drastically cut down on in a homeschool situation. But, with homeschooling, the student may miss out on learned social behavior, such as interacting with others their own age. Public and private schools have dances, sports teams, and clubs, but homeschool students do have opportunities to attend community dances, private sports teams, and community clubs.
Types of Students
In public schools, the types of students that attend the school are based on the neighborhood in which the school resides. Not keen on the neighborhood kids? Private schools are much more selective in their enrollment, and homeschooling allows control over to whom their child is exposed. In relation, public and private school students are more likely to be exposed to violence in schools, while homeschool students are sheltered from this growing problem.
Curriculum
The teaching curriculum at public schools is determined and tested by the State. For private schools, the curriculum is set by the school, which commonly includes religion. Parents who homeschool their children set their child’s curriculum based on each individual child, what moral values they hold, and at the level and style that suits their child best.
Learning Environment
Although public class sizes are growing, students in these settings learn to work together with other students and problem-solve, which gives them a chance to experience and learn from these interactions. Parents who prefer smaller class sizes opt to send their little intellectuals to private schools, although the lowest student-to-teacher ratio is the one-on-one learning homeschooled students can receive.
Teacher Credentials
Teachers in public school must gain their degrees or credentials based on government standards, such as a bachelors degree. Private school teachers, on the other hand, are hired based on knowledge or degree in the subject in which they are teaching. Requirements vary from state to state for parents who homeschool their children, but a recent ruling in California requires parents to possess teaching credentials in order to homeschool their children. This recent ruling will no doubt affect the numbers of students who are homeschooled.
Cost
In a self-sponsored study by the Unites States Department of Education for fiscal year 2004, the average cost was $6,500 per public school student each year and $3,500 per private school student annually, in which both cases include the cost of teacher salaries. The study also showed that the cost per homeschooled student was about $550 per student each year, which does not include the time parents spend homeschooling their children. These numbers do not include the parents’ cost of lunches, transportation, and for some, after school care.
Family Time
For some families, the decision to choose the public school, private school, or homeschool route boils down to family time. For some families, time in the evenings and on weekends is enough, in which cases public and private schooling is the best option. While others feel that being together all day is the best scenario for them, in which homeschooling is the option.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on the individual child. Only you, as the parent, know your youngster best, and the style, environment, and place of learning should be based on the child’s individual needs. The goal is to get your tiny scholar to his cap and gown; how he gets there is a decision only you can make.
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May 4, 2008
By Tracy McGinnis
Children’s music continues to grow in popularity as parents seek out songs that do everything from inspire their kids to learn about new cultures, encourage speech development, learn foreign languages, dance to the beat of a new genre, and yes, eventually find that sweet lullaby that will send them off to sleep. Here’s a sampling of CD’s that inspire kids to get in the right groove.
 From Madonna to Mozart – What these babies listen to on the go
Leslie Williams first discovered the Babies Go collection when she was pregnant with her first son, Charlie, in Argentina in 2005. Williams was turned on to them because the CD’s covered so many bands that she loved. “It’s different from other music out there because the CD’s are musical renditions in lullaby from some of the world’s most popular music.” The CD’s are all instrumental versions of popular songs from artists like: U2, Sting, Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, Coldplay and more. “The instrumentals are soothing to babies while familiar and nostalgic to adults.”
Take an African dreamland adventure with Putumayo Kids
Putumayo Kids has added another CD to their Dreamland collection with the May 2008 release of African Dreamland. Artists on the album include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Toumani Diabate and Samite and include music from countries including: Congo, Zimbabwe and others. Putumayo Kids has established itself as one of the leading children’s record labels since it was established in 1993. The Dreamland series from Putumayo includes Dreamland, Asian Dreamland and Celtic Dreamland and can be found at Putumayo.com.
From delivery to diaper changes –Stork Tunes help soothe mom and baby
Stork Tunes has created a new benefit CD that includes soothing music from artists including: Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion, Norah Jones, Billy Joel and Raffi, among others. Originally created to help women relax as they prepare to deliver their babies, the CD can be enjoyed after baby arrives as well. New proceeds from the sale of “Stork Tunes: Songs for a Happy Birth Day” benefit the March of Dimes.
Sprinkling of Stardust helps sing kids to sleep
This 2-disc CD features over 2 ½ hours and 42 tracks of soothing music including both traditional and original lullabies from sibling singers/songwriters Cher and Gene Klosner. The duo’s music has been performed by symphonies and the Cincinnati Pops, among others and is receiving rave reviews. The music on Stardust was composed with as many real instruments as possible including the oboe, cello, grand piano, acoustic guitar, flute and violin.
Dancin’ Dinos – What babies love about children’s hip hop CD
The Baby Loves Music Brand has released its newest CD introducing a new genre of music to parents and kids alike. Baby Loves Hip Hop Presents The Dino 5, was produced by accomplished hip-hop producer Prince Paul, who teamed up with top hip hop artists to create 20 tracks that sing songs and tell life learning lessons about hip hop dinosaurs. Created in 2005 to help parents introduce various genres of music to kids, Baby Loves Music has won awards for their previous CD, Baby Loves Jazz.
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May 2, 2008
 By Brie Gatchalian
Before you turn off your kids’ games out of fear they’re rotting their precious brains, think again. Games have come a long way since the days of Super Mario Brothers and Tetris. In fact, a lot of parents are starting to view video games as a positive and often educational way to interact with their children, according to a recent study conducted by the Entertainment Software Association.
Check out our pick of video games that can help shape the career path of your child:
1. GAME: Carrie the Caregiver
Career: Nurse
The Rules: This adventure arcade game features Carrie, a recent nursing school graduate. Players have to pretend to be Carrie and help her strategize as she keeps the babies in the maternity ward happy and healthy. The PC game is ideal for young girls who love caring for babies. Players will be responsible for feeding, changing, and keeping the babies content until it’s time for their parents to take them home. After moving through all the levels, the player will receive a special surprise in the end.
2. GAME: Imagine - Fashion Designer
Career: Fashion Stylist
The Rules: Players of this video game, which is available on Nintendo DS and Windows, have to create a clothing line that combines the latest cuts, colors, and patterns. Roll out the designed collection in a photo shoot and runway show. There’s also another mode whereby the player runs a boutique and has to meet demanding clients’ needs. This game will teach your budding fashionista all aspects of the fashion business—from creating a clothing line to directing photo shoots, to merchandising.
3. GAME: Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye
Career: Biologist
The Rules: This handheld device magnifies 200 times something’s normal size on any TV screen. Of course, that “something” has to fit under it’s lens. The educational game provides hours of exploration for the player, as well as the entire family who can watch every step of the way. The microscope gives children first glimpse of organisms, bacteria, even inanimate materials like salt and minerals.
4. GAME: Dance Dance Revolution
Career: Choreographer
The Rules: A parent favorite, this active video game actually won the National Parenting Center’s “Seal of Approval.” Available on various gaming systems, as well as a DVD version, enhances children’s coordination, as well as fitness. Players choose levels and songs, then have dance-offs. As players step and move correctly, the avatar on the screen perform the right moves. Your children will be following and teaching choreography in no time before they even step into a performing arts program in college.
5. GAME: MathMovesU
Career: Mathematician
The Rules: Learning’s no fun when you have to do it. In this online-based game, your children choose a character and select the appropriate grade they’re in, then the learning begins. As players go through what appears to be a fun strategy game, you’ll learn facts, take quizzes, see polls, and read flash cards along the way. The result: Development of math and science skills in a fun way outside of the classroom. Visit mathmovesu.com to play for free.
6. GAME: Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards
Career: Physician
The Rules: This is not really a game, but for pre-med students, it’s probably the closest thing they’ll get to one. This innovative program, which works on iPods, will test the player’s knowledge of muscles, bones, vessels, and more; provides them with concise text reviews (perfect before a major exam); and displays over 300 full-cover anatomy images like the head and neck, back and spinal cord, thorax, and more.
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