iBlackParenting Blog

Back-to-School Backpack Safety Tips

2008-08-23T15:11:00.004-05:00

Back-to-School is in full swing and not only are school supplies surely on your list of priorities, but your child's backpack and backpack safety should be as well. Dr. Sheeraz A. Qureshi, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City suggests that parents consider function over fashion when choosing a backpack for a child. "Healthy habits as an adolescent can reduce the chances of having chronic back problems as they get older," commented Dr. Qureshi. "It is extremely important for students and parents to be mindful of the weight they are carrying and how they distribute that weight."

Some additional backpack tips from Dr. Qureshi:

Check the number of straps. Backpacks with two straps distribute the weight of the bag more evenly, placing less stress on the shoulders.
It is also preferred that a backpack have a strap that goes around the child's waist to balance the backpack's weight between the shoulders and hips.
Backpacks with wheels place almost no stress on the back and are therefore preferable to standard backpacks. However, some schools do not permit this type of rolling bag so check before buying one of these.
Wearing a heavy backpack can affect the way you walk. For children, wearing the backpack lower on the back seems to improve walking mechanics and may reduce pain.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Collector's Edition

2008-08-14T23:56:00.007-05:00

Finally released from the Disney vault, Academy Award(R) nominated writer and producer Tim Burton's (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride) The Nightmare Before Christmas: Collector's Edition returns in a deeper, darker and more brilliant digitally-restored masterpiece -- as Tim Burton originally envisioned. This delightfully twisted story releases just in time for the Holidays, August 26, 2008, in a first time Collector's Edition DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def Disc Box Set.

The PBS KIDS Summer Road Trip to Health

2008-06-05T00:06:00.004-05:00

This summer, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! invite children on a virtual road trip with a destination all about being engaged and healthy. Beginning June 2nd, kids can fuel their minds and bodies with health-themed episodes and online activities learning how their favorite character role models in ten different series live healthy and smart. See more at pbskidsgo.org and listen to They Might Be Giants sing the summer theme song "Get Up and Go!" Our first stop - CAILLOU! Caillou gets active this week on PBS KIDS!

6.2.08 (check local listings) CAILLOU #305 Caillou's Gym Day: Caillou gets a special invitation to go to Andre's gym class. A little intimidated at first, Caillou tries his best and ends up having great fun. When they try a rhythmic coordination exercise, Caillou discovers that some things are not that easy.

6.3.08 CAILLOU #107 Caillou Cooks: Someone's in the kitchen; it's Caillou! After making too much of a mess trying to help Mom, Caillou plays pretend-cooking with Sarah, and they bring Mom a bouquet of dandelions and a tasty cake made of toy blocks.

6.4.08 CAILLOU #306 Caillou the Snowman: Caillou wants to play hockey with Billy and the other big kids. He goes with Daddy to the store to get the equipment he needs, but he finds he just can't keep up with the big kids. After Daddy gives Caillou his old hockey sweater - which is way too big for Caillou - he tells him that if he keeps practicing he'll be really good by the time he grows into the sweater.

6.5.08 CAILLOU #302 Caillou The Sports Star: When a new, longer set of monkey bars is installed at the park, Caillou is disappointed that he can't climb as far as Leo. He asks his Daddy how he can get bigger and stronger and finds out that eating right, exercising and getting lots of sleep is the best way. Later, when Clementine and Billy join them Caillou finds he can lift up Billy's bike. He couldn't do that last year! Caillou realizes he's getting stronger every day!

6.6.08 CAILLOU #419 Games To Play: Caillou's friend Andre has come to visit. André is a soccer player and Caillou wants to play too... only Caillou isn't very good at kicking the ball. He wants to give up, but Andre and Dad encourage him and eventually he makes the biggest kick of the day.

For more information on the PBS KIDS Summer Road Trip to Health visit http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/get_up_and_go_summer_road_trip

Spring Clean Your Diet

2008-04-12T23:29:00.005-05:00

(Newswise) Ever thought of improving your eating habits as a spring cleaning job? Just as you give your house and garage a thorough once-over every year, you can do the same with your diet. Here's how.

Clean it up. Drink more water and less soda drinks. "Drinks shouldn't be sticky," says Pam Davis, R.D., LD., dietitian and diabetes educator, Baylor Medical Center at Garland.

Clean your plate. Ms. Davis also recommends "cleaning" your plate by ditching cheesy casseroles in favor of simple, three-part meals, consisting of a meat, starch and a vegetable. For example, a pork tenderloin, brown rice, and green beans meal would fit the bill.

Toss it out. Go through your pantry and freezer and toss anything that's old or unhealthy. Don't keep frozen meat any longer than six months. Label and date any leftovers before you freeze them for later use.

Plan it. Planning your meals makes it less likely you'll grab fast-food on the fly.

Sit down with your cookbook -- or your kids, who will be more likely to eat what they have helped plan - and create a weekly menu.

Practice restaurant savvy. If you eat out, do so wisely. Most restaurant portions are bigger and usually with more sodium or fat. Split a single entree or order just a half portion if offered by the restaurant.

Davis is a diabetes educator at the Baylor Diabetes Center at Baylor Medical Center at Garland where people with diabetes can attend self-management diabetes programs, support groups and classes.

Baylor Medical Center at Garland is part of Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System. For fiscal year 2007, Baylor Health Care System will report $390 million in community benefits to the Department of State Health Services. For more information, visit http://www.baylorhealth.com.

Weight Affects Job Success

2008-02-20T15:26:00.005-05:00

Newswise -- When it comes to job hiring or career advancement, a common phrase is "it's not just what you know, it's who you know," but research on weight-based bias suggests "it's how you look."

Does being extra heavy or obese hinder the opportunity of getting a job or moving up the work ladder?

A recent study conducted at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, shows that, yes, obesity can and does have a denigrating effect in the workplace.

"There are a whole set of stereotypes that go along with being overweight, and a lot of them transfer into the workplace in terms of people's judgment about others' abilities and appearance in relation to job performance," said doctoral candidate Cort Rudolph.

Researchers have studied the effects of weight-based bias in the workplace for more than 30 years, and Rudolph has completed a meta-analysis of many of the findings. "The results have been consistent. People who are overweight are viewed more negatively in the workplace than those who are of average weight, which is not surprising based on what we know about weight-based stereotypes," he said.

Computer Health: Part I

2008-02-18T13:55:00.005-05:00

All week we will bring pertinent advice about how you can keep your family computer healthy. There is nothing worse than a computer that no longer functions properly. Over the next seven days we will bring you expert solutions on how to keep your computer blissfully humming along.

Malware, viruses, identity theft and spyware account for about 80% of all computer issues resulting in downtime, reveals IT guru Chip Reaves. "It is estimated that the lost-productivity cost due to these alone is around $50 billion, and the associated IT costs of dealing with it has skyrocketed from $20 billion to $198 billion in the last five years."

That is a lot of money and a lot of work-time lost. But Reaves, the National Director of Computer Troubleshooters, explains that there are certain simple tips everyone could adhere to businesses and individual computer users alike that will keep our computers (and wallets) in tip-top shape

1. Old Hardware. "Studies have shown that the likelihood of physical problems with computer equipment goes up significantly after 24 to 36 months," says Reaves. "Consider replacing computer systems every three years, considering how inexpensive computers have become, one major repair bill could easily cost more than purchasing an entire new system."

For more information, visit CompTroub.com.

Join us tomorrow when we share advice about power protection.

Birth Order Affects Life Outcomes

2008-02-15T08:00:00.005-05:00

A new study out of Brigham Young University says birth order does indeed decide how older siblings will fare during their lifetimes. According to the study, first-born children receive more time with their parents between the ages of 4 and 13 than the next sibling during this same age range. Researchers believe this extra attention helps children get more education, make more money, have higher IQs.

"We've known for a long time that eldest children have better outcomes, and these findings on quality time provide one explanation why," said Brigham Young University economics professor Joseph Price, who used data from the American Time Use Survey, a federal government study involving 21,000 people.

Price recommends that parents spend more quality time with younger children.

Nas Uses N-Word to Kick Off Black History Month

2008-02-08T07:34:00.001-05:00

If you haven't yet heard, popular rap artist Nas will be releasing his newest album called "N----r" this month.

Some are arguably upset that Nas used this historically-charged term for his album title, whereas others see the symbolism and understand the intellectualism behind outing race and racism that still persists in this country.

Jennifer James, Mommy Too! editor, talked about Nas' album with Mom Logic, a brand new site for moms from Warner Brothers. See what she said about his album. You may be surprised. And then let Mom Logic know what you think.

PBS Kids Celebrates Black History Month

2008-02-06T04:40:00.000-05:00

As America's public broadcaster, PBS' children's educational programs reach a diverse population of children with varying socio-economic backgrounds and cultures every day of the year. In addition to year-round efforts, this February, PBS KIDS GO! honors Black History Month by highlighting educational opportunities available on-air and online for kids to learn about African American role models and their contributions to the world.

Every Friday throughout February, PBS KIDS GO! will air "GO! Figures" -- a series of interesting facts about influential African Americans. These pop-up facts will air during PBS KIDS GO! programs throughout the month. Samples include:

Did you know Thurgood Marshall was the first black American Justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Did you know the author Toni Morrison became the first black American to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Did you know over 125 years ago, Cathy Williams was the first recorded black American female to serve in the United States Army?

Online, pbskidsgo.org highlights Black History Month content, available year-round, to provide interactive learning activities beyond broadcast.

African America World (pbskids.org/aaworld)

This website features a matching game that teaches facts about the contributions of African Americans, as well as custom e-cards kids can create and send to their friends.

The Inequality Quiz (pbskids.org/wayback/fair/index)

Kids can play games such as the Inequity Quiz where two players square off to show what they know about fairness in America.

Stand up for your Rights (pbskids.org/wayback/civilrights/features)

Read an interview with Melba Patillo Beals, one of the "Little Rock Nine," the first African American students to attend Little Rock's Central High; and learn more about brave Americans who have stood up for their rights throughout history.

Family Fun at Hershey Resorts

2008-02-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

(Hershey, PA) --When spring is in full bloom, the family might be looking for a weekend getaway to play golf and spend some quality time together. Is there a better choice than Hershey Resorts, one of the nation's most popular family vacation destinations?

During weekends in April, Hershey Resorts -- ranked first on the list of "Best Resort for Family Trips" in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine -- is offering the "Family Golf Package."

Here’s a closer look at the package components:

Deluxe double accommodations at either The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge
Nine holes of golf at Spring Creek Golf Course, including push cart and club rental
Family golf tournament
Admission to Hershey Gardens and Hershey Museum

The package is available to families for all four weekends in April beginning Friday, April 4. For accommodations at Hershey Lodge, rates start at $224 per night; for accommodations at The Hotel Hershey, rates start at $348 per night. (Rates are based on double adult occupancy and availability. Tax and gratuity are not included. Single adult, youth and child prices also are available.)

Spring Creek Golf Course is an extraordinary family-friendly, nine-hole layout that features enhanced course routing to improve pace of play. Though "beginner-friendly," Spring Creek plays to 2,200 yards and features two sets of tees to create an 18-hole experience as well. The second nine is 2,416 yards, for an 18-hole, par-66 layout playing to 4,616 yards.

Spring Creek complements Hershey Country Club, which is for more experienced golfers. Hershey Country Club extends playing privileges to resort guests on both the East and West courses, as well as nearby Hershey Links (formerly Wren Dale Golf Club), but green fees are not a part of this package. For details about the Hershey Golf Collection, visit www.HersheyGolfCollection.com.

Besides golf, families can enjoy Hershey Gardens, Hershey Museum and Hersheypark, which are all within a short distance from The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge.

Known the world over as The Sweetest Place On Earth, Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania, three hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia, and 90 minutes from the Washington/Baltimore metro area.

For more information about the “Family Golf Package,” call 1-800-HERSHEY or visit the destination's website at www.HersheyPA.com.

Erykah Badu Talks About Motherhood in Clutch Magazine

2008-02-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

This month Clutch magazine, one of our favorite sites, has a great interview with Erykah Badu. See what she says about motherhood.

Guide to Living With Food Allergies

2008-01-30T09:28:00.001-05:00

What do Martha Stewart, a 9-year-old with food allergies, and a nonprofit allergy and asthma group have in common? We're all getting the word out about life-threatening allergies!

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to patient education and advocacy, applauds Martha Stewart for her January 29 television segment on food allergies. Lori Sandler and her son Benjamin -- who is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk -- taught Martha how to make delicious cupcakes without milk or eggs. Lori started her own bakery, Divvies, to help families like hers find delicious treats the whole family could enjoy together.

Allergy to food, insect stings, latex or medications can cause anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe allergic reaction that affects your whole body. Any allergic reaction -- the first exposure or the fiftieth -- could lead to anaphylaxis, and people with asthma are at greatest risk for an allergic reaction progressing to anaphylaxis.

"Anaphylaxis: A Guide for You and Me," a 20-page special edition of AANMA's "Allergy & Asthma Today" magazine, explains the causes of and treatment for anaphylaxis -- in language patients and families can use! AANMA thanks Dey, L.P. for their sponsorship of this important educational resource.

Scheduled for a February 1 release, "Anaphylaxis: A Guide for You and Me" offers tips for diagnosing food allergies, avoiding stinging insects, and connecting exercise and medications to anaphylaxis. It also includes AANMA's groundbreaking article "When Anaphylaxis Looks Like Asthma," which reveals the potentially life-threatening similarities between asthma and anaphylaxis symptoms. The "Epinephrine How-To Guide" explains how epinephrine -- a medication that temporarily stops symptoms of anaphylaxis -- affects your body and illustrates a practice session. And advocates of any age can use the English/Spanish "Breathe: It's the Law" poster to spread the word about state laws protecting students' rights to carry and use their auto-injectable epinephrine at school.

Download "Anaphylaxis: A Guide for You and Me" at http://www.breatherville.org/farmersmarket or call 800.878.4403 to order a copy (limited copies available).

Source: Newswise

Help for Winter Skin

2008-01-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

By itself, dry skin isn't a medical worry, but serious cases can result in cracks and fissures that invite infection and inflammation. This is one problem that hasn't suffered from lack of attention in the marketplace, though: there are dozens of creams and lotions for dry skin. But what ingredients should you look for in a moisturizer? Well-controlled studies are few and far between. The fact is that despite the long lists of obscure ingredients and the pseudoscientific hokum, all moisturizers help with dry skin for a pretty simple reason: they supply a little bit of water to the skin and contain a greasy substance that holds it in, reports the February 2008 issue of the "Harvard Health Letter".

One reason for the proliferation of moisturizers is the continuing search for a mix of ingredients that holds in water like petrolatum -- a greasy substance known to many people as Vaseline -- but feels nicer on the skin. The good news is that despite all the unknowns, you really can't go wrong. Almost all the moisturizers on the market will help with dry skin, and in most cases, the choice comes down to simply whether you like the feel and smell.

The "Harvard Health Letter" suggests some additional tips for people with dry skin:

Turn down the thermostat: Hot air is drier than cool air.

Use a humidifier: It can help put moisture back in the air.

Take warm, not hot, baths or showers: Hot water whisks away the fatty substances in the skin that help it retain water.

Stay protected: Windy outdoor air is very drying, so bundle up.

FAQs by Parents in Kid's Check-Ups

2008-01-28T14:30:00.001-05:00

Newswise -- When parents bring their children in for routine check-ups many are hoping the doctors and nurse practitioners caring for them will do more than just check blood pressure, listen to their heart and provide any necessary vaccinations.

Parents with adolescent-age children also want health care providers to talk with their kids about issues related to sexuality, diet, drug abuse and tobacco use, according to a report released today by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

The National Poll on Children’s Health -- which asked parents of 11- to 17-year-old kids to rate 18 health-related topics for health care providers to address during an adolescent's routine check-up -- found that diet/nutrition, exercise/sports and the physical changes of puberty were the overall top three issues parents want discussed, followed by drugs, tobacco, sexually transmitted diseases and depression/suicide.

Top 10 topics parents consider very important for doctors to discuss with adolescents, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health:

1. Diet/nutrition
2. Exercise/sports
3. Physical changes of puberty
4. Drug use
5. Tobacco use
6. Sexually transmitted diseases
7. Depression/suicide
8. Obesity
9. Drinking
10. Eating disorders

The adolescent health issues that didn't make the top 10 list: bullying, pregnancy prevention, relationships with family/friends, safety, school performance, sexual abstinence, violence and religion/faith. The poll also revealed that how parents ranked health topics varied based on their children’s race, ethnicity, gender and age.

"With more than 35 million adolescents living in the United States, understanding which health topics parents value most during routine check-ups is an important component of providing the best care possible to children," says lead researcher Amanda F. Dempsey, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, a member of the CHEAR Unit team in the Division of General Pediatrics at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

The poll revealed that parents' ranking of health topics varied based on their children's race and ethnicity. While diet and nutrition ranked No. 1 for whites, blacks and Hispanics, the groups were not in agreement on the other top five health topics doctors should discuss with adolescents during routine check ups. Most notably, 77 percent of Hispanics felt drug use was the second most important topic doctors should address, while whites and blacks ranked exercise/sports as their No. 2 choice.

Tips for Staying Warm in Winter Weather

2008-01-27T08:08:00.001-05:00

According to the American Red Cross' tips on staying safe in cold weather, in addition to dressing in warm layers, staying dry is important to avoiding emergencies such as hypothermia and frost bite this winter season. Lands' End (http://www.landsend.com/outerwear) is releasing five easy tips for protecting against the sub-zero temperatures and preventing wintertime injuries.

"At Lands' End, we offer a full range of functional and fashionable outerwear options for adults and children. Each coat has an exclusive, designated temperature rating to guide the selection of a coat that meets the climate conditions," said Geoff Werner, Lands' End Vice President, seasonal apparel and footwear. "Lands' End's extensive outerwear collection enables everyone to stay warm and dry at an affordable price and also takes the worry away."

Tip 1: Look for a strong outer layer

Look for a tightly woven outer layer when selecting a winter coat. Specifically, look for jackets, such as the Arctic 3-in-1 Parka, with strong, wind resistant shells to reduce the heat loss caused by extreme winds. Lands' End has exclusive temperature ratings on all outerwear and icons showing whether each jacket is windproof, water resistant or waterproof, making it easy to find the right outerwear.

Tip 2: Stay dry with warm winter boots

Look for fashionable warm winter boots to keep feet dry and warm. A wide selection of Lands' End snow boots are antimicrobial to fight odor, are water/wear resistant, have at least 400 grams of insulation to fight the cold, and are available with 360 degrees reflective trim for added safety. Lands' End recommends the Snow Tech Boots for kids and the Trello Boots for adults, which feature a feature a gripping sole to avoid slipping when there is ice on the ground.

Tip 3: Add extra warmth with next-to-skin layers

Staying warm in frigid temperatures starts with a base layer. For children, add extra layers to keep warm when it's time for snow day play. Lands' End Thermaskins pull moisture away from the skin to keep it warm and dry. The synthetic fabric also dries quickly, which is a huge advantage over cotton long johns.

Tip 4: Protect the extremities

Most body heat is lost through uncovered heads and other extremities, so hats, gloves and scarves are essential. Choose coordinating accessories that are soft against the skin, but are durable, made from materials such as merino wool, nylon and microfleece. Select nylon/fleece lined gloves and hats, such as the ThermaCheck(R) accessories, for the ultimate protection during severe weather.

Tip 5: For children -- know the school requirements

Ask your child's teacher what the expectations are for recess play during winter weather. At some schools, snow pants must be worn whereas other schools only require a winter coat, accessories and snow boots. Choose snow pants, like the Kids' Reinforced Knee Insulated Squall Pants, with knee patches and scuff guards for durability along with easy-on features for children to dress themselves.

(Source: Lands' End)

Dental Fillings Safe for Children

2008-01-26T08:34:00.000-05:00

For years parents and some researchers have raised pertinent questions about mercury-based dental fillings for children. Their concern has always been what neurological effect would the mercury fillings have on children.

Now a research team from the University of Portugal, Lisbon and the University of Washington have discovered the amalgams, or fillings, have no neurological effect on children at all.

Beginning in 1997, 507 Portuguese children between the ages of 8 and 12 were studied to determine if there was any link between mercury fillings and neurological disorders in adolescents. Routine tests such as sensory-motor skills tests and neurological assessments were taken and no disorders were discovered.

"These data indicate the absence of a generalized negative effect on children’s nervous system functions stemming from the presence of dental amalgam," they continue, "and while we cannot rule out potential adverse reactions in individual children, we found no indications of any."

This study was published in the February issue of the The Journal of the American Dental Association.

Obesity in Minority Children Spurred By Aggressive Marketing

2008-01-25T03:10:00.000-05:00

After countless studies and academic assessments, we know black children have some of the highest rates of obesity in this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control 18.5 percent of black boys and 25. 4 percent of black girls are overweight. Now researchers say one of the reasons black adolescents are overweight and obese is because of aggressive marketing.

"Obesity rates are significantly higher among many ethnic groups other than non-Hispanic whites, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Pacific Islanders" said Sonya A. Grier, an associate professor of marketing at American University’s Kogod School of Business. "Yet much research in marketing does not include ethnically diverse samples."

The study found that ethnic minorities were more apt to believe eating fast food was the norm because of aggressive marketing practices. Black and Hispanic parents also reported receiving more fast-food marketing materials and having greater access to fast food because these restaurants were very prevalent in their neighborhoods.

Reading Resources:

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Athletic Fitness for Kids

Tips for hiring a limo for prom night

2008-01-23T10:43:00.000-05:00

Before you know it, teens will be prepping for the prom and having a limo take them to the big dance is a mainstay for a lot of parents. The National Limousine Association provides these five tips when you hire a transportation service for your teenager's big night:

1. Ask the transportation company for the Prom Promise. This is a document that teens sign in agreement of not drinking or taking drugs on Prom night. Many limousine and chauffeured transportation companies offer this contract as a way to give parents an outlet to discuss the importance of safety on Prom with their teens.

2. Give the transportation company a curfew. That's right; the chauffer will abide by any rules you set forth, and will make sure to pick up and drop off your kids at a designated hour. This is a great way ensure your kids make it home on time, no excuses.

3. Check with industry associations to make sure the company you choose is reputable. Companies who belong to industry associations usually must abide by special insurance regulations and service rules. Reputable associations such as the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the local livery association are good indications that your service provider does their due diligence. If you are still stuck, consult www.nlaride.com. The National Limousine Association's website lists licensed, properly insured limousine professionals by community. Consumers can compare services, pricing, vehicle availability and receive non-binding online price quotes.

4. Set some ground rules. As the parent, you have the right to tell the transportation company what will and will not be tolerated in the vehicle. For example, you can ask that the chauffer keep the privacy screen down for the entire ride, so that he/she has a full grasp of what your kids are up to. If any of your rules are broken, the chauffer can turn the car around and bring your kids home.

5. Remember to sit back and relax. A reputable company hires drivers with proper training and licensing. Theses chauffeurs are used to carting around excited passengers all day long, so they know how to keep things under control.

Green Kids

2008-01-22T14:12:00.000-05:00

Kids are now getting involved in the green movement by recycling more and using less thanks to Scholastic.com. If you are interested in giving your children tools and information about living a less wasteful life, consider Scholastic's ACT GREEN! program.

Developed in consultation with an environmental scientist from the University of California at Berkeley, ACT GREEN! at www.scholastic.com/actgreen provides kids, parents and teachers with free actionable information that will help them preserve the environment.

Kids can find videos, quizzes, articles, tips, action plans, and downloads to help them on their green journey.

Here's Your Chance to Win a $25,000 Renovated Room

2008-01-21T07:32:00.000-05:00

We know there's something very special about redecorating one's living space. When you change something as simple as the color of your living room's walls or buy a brand new sofa, you instantly feel renewed and invigorated.

How do you think you'd feel if you won a room renovation worth $25,000? Probably like a million bucks, right?

Kimberly-Clark, one of the most looked to companies for products moms love and routinely use like Huggies (R), Pull-Ups(R) and Kleenex(R) is giving away $25,000 each weekday in the Kimberly-Clark Room-A-Day Giveaway.

Kimberly-Clark will award 16 lucky winners $25,000 to renovate any room in their house between January 28 to February 15 on The View. The final contestant winner will be announced March 21st on the "Room-a-Day Giveaway" website.

Want to enter? We know you do! Enter the sweepstakes daily by going to http://www.roomadaygiveaway.com/

Mental Health Screening Beneficial for Preschoolers

2008-01-18T11:31:00.000-05:00

A new study out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says preschoolers can benefit from good mental health screening as 11- 15 percent of all children under the age of 18 have a diagnosable mental health disorder. But, according to researchers, only 21 percent of children who could benefit from these early screenings are seen by a professional.

"The challenge programs face is in finding an assessment tool that can easily and quickly be given by early childhood educators; that provides accurate, easily interpreted, and useful results; and that holds up under scientific scrutiny," said Oscar Barbarin, Ph.D, who is also the Preyer Distinguished Professor of Strengthening Families at UNC's School of Social Work. "ABLE appears to do that and can be used as a universal screening instrument to help allocate limited mental health resources."

ABLE is a screening tool used in pre-kindergarten that helps professionals assess emotional, language, attention, and behavioral problems in children. "This research shows that programs can improve their effectiveness in serving at-risk children by using a simple mental health screening process to identify and provide early intervention services," Barbarin said.

Contribute to Kentucky's Black History

2008-01-17T15:51:00.000-05:00

Another image collected for the encyclopedia is of individuals attending an American War Mothers convention held at First Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky.

Newswise - Everyone wants to make their mark on history, and the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia Project will make that possible for student researchers, scholars and the public. The project is reaching out to individuals interested in contributing to the creation of this one-of-a-kind encyclopedia, thought to be the first state encyclopedia of its kind in the nation.

"The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia will capture rare and significant aspects of Kentucky history," said Gerald L. Smith, one of the publication's three scholarly editors representing Kentucky's universities. "It will serve as an academic springboard for scholars interested in studying Kentucky and the South."

Editors have begun compiling the volume at their offices on the University of Kentucky campus. The publication, which is scheduled to be published in 2011, will include information on individuals, events, institutions and movements that shaped the Commonwealth. Another unique element of the project is the editors' invitation to the public to participate in the creation of history by submitting entries interactively to the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia.

Through the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia Web site individuals can submit ideas for entries to the publication and even craft the submissions by contracting with the project. People can select entries from the current subject list or even recommend a subject for inclusion in the volume, which will be comprised of more than 1,000 entries. Criteria for selections are online at www.uky.edu/kaae/selection.html. Final selection of entries will be made upon recommendations of the book's 14 topical editors to the encyclopedia's general editors and the University Press of Kentucky, the publishing press. Those individuals wishing to submit an entry should contact the project via e-mail at uk-kaae@lsv.uky.edu.

What Kind of New York City Parent Are You?

2008-01-16T13:12:00.001-05:00

New York City Parents:

Time Out Kids just launched a new quiz called "What kind of NYC parent are you?", and we thought you might be interested in taking it to find out if you're most like a Posh Mama, a Hipster Papa, etc. What kind of NYC parent are you?

At the end of the quiz, you will be directed to a list of shops, play spaces and services that best suit your styles.

Also, don't forget New York City parent bloggers, you are invited to a free play date at the New York Kids Club. Here's your invitation!

The Best Children's Books of 2007

2008-01-15T07:01:00.000-05:00

The American Library Association bestowed the 2008 highest honors in children's literature yesterday. Here are the winners.

Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults

King Author Book winner

Elijah Of Buxton

King Illustrator Book winner

Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults.

The White Darkness

No Child Left Behind Fosters Underachievement, Expert Says

2008-01-14T12:03:00.000-05:00

Although the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was ideally created to help more children become well-educated Maryland Associate Professor of Education Linda Valli said it has done the complete opposite. According to Valli NCLB "actually undermined the quality of teaching in reading and math."

After studying fourth and fifth grade reading and math instruction for five years Valli and her team discovered NCLB puts high stakes on test taking and as a result diminishes teachers' ability to teach high cognitive content. Instead teachers all over the country are simply forced to "teach to the test".

Our data show that what we would call high-quality teaching decreased over that period of time," Valli said. "There were declines in teaching higher-order thinking, in the amount of time spent on complex assignments."

Parent Resources:

National Education Association: Getting Involved in Your Child's Education

National African-American Homeschoolers Alliance: How to Start Homeschooling Your Child