Most Parents Believe Their Kids Should Own Basic Technology
By Simona KitanovskaNearly six in 10 parents have revealed they’ll often text their kids to come down for dinner instead of calling for them. Seven in 10 (70 percent) parents trust their kids with tech, while two-thirds (66 percent) have put parental controls on all their children’s devices for security concerns. Interestingly, 54 percent of parents purchased their kids a basic feature phone to share their nostalgia of the ‘90s and early 2000s. (Francesca Collado, SWNS/Zenger)The poll also quizzed kids, ages 6 to 18, on their knowledge of older tech devices. Half of parents (51 percent) said their kids have been on their family phone plan, for an average of 3.6 years.
thewestsidegazette.com5 activities for children with autism who’ve been under stress, anxiety due to the pandemic
One way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a children’s developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.
Dr. Mia Taormina was part of team that diagnosed the first COVID case in DuPage County. Two years later, she shares where the pandemic stands.
Dr. Mia Taormina, an infectious disease expert, says of the pandemic two years later: "I actually think that we are in a very good place right now."
chicagotribune.comFlorida Senate presses on with ‘don’t say gay’ bill, ignoring protests
Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill is poised for final approval, despite a backlash that included Saturday Night Live ripping the legislation and students across the state walking out of classes in protest. A final vote is expected Tuesday and then the controversial legislation will head to DeSantis, who has voiced his support.
sun-sentinel.comChasten Buttigieg speaks out against Florida’s ‘Don’t say gay bill,’ warning it could lead to more suicides
The husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is taking aim at state legislation that would prohibit school districts in Florida from encouraging classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels.
washingtonpost.comNew Illini booster group aims to give University of Illinois athletes’ name, image and likeness deals a do-gooder twist
As the now common practice of paying college athletes continues to spread, a group of University of Illinois boosters aims to give the money chase a do-gooder twist.
chicagotribune.comLauren’s Kids winner of Suncoast Emmy Awards for their Safer, Smart Kids Curriculum
Lauren’s Kids has recently won a 2021 Suncoast Regional EMMY Award for their Safer, Smarter Kids Kindergarten curriculum videos won in the Informational/Instructional category. “There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe. “Thank you to the Suncoast Regional EMMY team for helping to amplify our efforts to teach personal safety from a place of fun — not fear.”Lauren’s Kids CEO, Lauren Book, M.S. Ed., career educators, and developmental psychologists created the Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum to educate children, teachers, and parents, arming them with information to keep kids safe. For more information on safety resources for schools and families, visit https://safersmarterschools.org/ and https://safersmarterfamilies.org/
communitynewspapers.comLauren’s Kids winner of Suncoast Emmy Awards for their Safer, Smart Kids Curriculum
Lauren’s Kids has recently won a 2021 Suncoast Regional EMMY Award for their Safer, Smarter Kids Kindergarten curriculum videos won in the Informational/Instructional category. One in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will become victims of child sexual abuse before the age of 18, but 95% of this abuse IS preventable with education and awareness,” says Senator Lauren Book, Founder/CEO of Lauren’s Kids. “Thank you to the Suncoast Regional EMMY team for helping to amplify our efforts to teach personal safety from a place of fun — not fear.”Lauren’s Kids CEO, Lauren Book, M.S. Ed., career educators, and developmental psychologists created the Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum to educate children, teachers, and parents, arming them with information to keep kids safe. For more information on safety resources for schools and families, visit https://safersmarterschools.org/ and https://safersmarterfamilies.org/
communitynewspapers.comThemes of Mary and Joseph’s journey in Bethlehem still relevant as Chicago Archdiocese hosts 16th annual reenactment for immigration reform
The 16th annual Posada for Immigration Reform began outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office Friday with a man and woman portraying Mary and Joseph, acting out scenes that depicted themes in Mary and Joseph’s journey that translate to current issues with the U.S. immigration system.
chicagotribune.comWork Shift: Could bringing babies into the office help solve a COVID childcare crisis?
As many Americans get ready to head back to the office, some working parents are wondering who will watch their kids who have been with them while they worked from home during the pandemic. Adriana Diaz found one e-commerce company with a creative solution: make every day "take your child to work day."
news.yahoo.comNeed to burn your kids’ energy? Try golf -- as in, real golf
But if you’re in need of more ideas, how about this one: Have you tried taking your kid golfing? Depending on which part of the country you golf, other wildlife such as deer and alligators can also easily be present on a golf course. On a side note, you don’t have to have your kid hit EVERY shot. Golf courses know the value of introducing the game to youngsters, and thus, will often offer heavy discounts for kids to play, if they even charge them at all for a round. Some golf courses also will offer discounts for families who want to play.
How to watch the historic astronaut launch with your children: There’s an invaluable lesson here
If it goes off as planned, this will mark the first mission involving astronauts from U.S. soil since 2011. Still, NASA astronaut Bob Behnken has said he and Doug Hurley are “really comfortable” with the risks. So you’re making educated guesses, at best.”It seems there’s just more uncharted territory when it comes to space travel. “The first astronauts really started out as test pilots,” Garfinkle said. But assuming this launch goes well, “It would be great for kids to see a successful, triumphant moment of science,” Fink said.
All your favorite children’s books, reimagined for the age of COVID
A mother of two mindlessly picked up a paintbrush in late March, and started painting the cover of one of the books she had read to her children earlier in the day -- and said she incorporated some “cartoonified” coronavirus themes, to try to make the situation less scary.
10 fun, educational websites your kids will love to visit while stuck at home
Nat Geo for KidsSite address: www.kids.nationalgeographic.comWhat it does: Kids learn about geography and fascinating animals. Into the BookSite address: www.reading.ecb.orgWhat it does: Through playing games, kids can practice reading strategies. SuessvilleSite address: www.seussville.comWhat it does: Allows kids to hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends, all while playing games and reading. PBS KidsSite address: www.pbs.orgWhat it does: Kids can learn while hanging out with their favorite PBS characters. Highlights KidsSite address: www.highlightskids.comWhat it does: Allows kids to read, play games, learn random facts and do activities such as crafts and recipes.
‘Baby Shark’ creators release Navajo version of viral video
“Łóó’ Hashkéii Awéé,” which loosely means Navajo Baby Shark, is the 20th language version of Baby Shark, SmartStudy marketing manager Kevin Yoon said in an email. The project was launched after Navajo Nation Museum director Manuelito Wheeler reached out to SmartStudy in September about translating “Baby Shark” into Navajo. During the “Baby Shark” auditions, Wheeler was the confidence-building coach, and two Navajo language instructors provided coaching with the correct Navajo language pronunciations. Hopeful actors for the role of Navajo Baby Shark, Mommy Shark, Daddy Shark, Grandma Shark, and Grandpa Shark, drove in from around the Navajo Nation. SmartStudy has translated the “Baby Shark” tune of the viral video in 19 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Arabic and Bahasa-Malay.