Kids And Television

American children watch an average of three to fours hours of television daily. Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Unfortunately, much of today's television programming is violent. Hundreds of studies of the effects of TV violence on children and teenagers have found that children may:

1. Become "immune" to the horror of violence
2. Gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems
3. Imitate the violence they observe on television and
4. Identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers.

Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness. Sometimes, watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness. Children who view shows in which violence is very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see. The impact of TV violence may be immediately evident in the child's behavior or may surface years later, and young people can even be affected when the family atmosphere shows no tendency toward violence.

This does not mean that violence on television is the only source for aggressive or violent behavior, but it is a significant contributor.

Parents can protect children from excessive TV violence in the following ways:

1. Pay attention to the programs their children are watching. Watch some with them.

2. Set limits on the amount of time they spend with the television.

3. Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death.

4. Refuse to let the children see shows known to be violent, and change the channel or turn off the TV set when something offensive comes on, with an explanation of what is wrong with the program.

5. Disapprove of the violent episodes in front of the children, stressing the belief that such behavior is not the best way to resolve a problem.

6. To offset peer pressure among friends and classmates, contact other parents and agree to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of program the children may watch.

Parents should also use these measures to prevent harmful effects from television in other areas such as racial or sexual stereotyping. The amount of time children watch TV, regardless of content, should be moderated, because it keeps children from other, more beneficial activities such as reading and playing with friends. If parents have serious difficulties setting limits, or deep concerns about how their child is reacting to television, they should contact a child and adolescent psychiatrist for help defining the problem.

10 Tips For Better Grades In Class

Parental Involvement Is the Answer
Study after study has shown that parental involvement is the number-one determinant of how well all children -- regardless of their background -- do in school. Here are ten ways you can help your kids succeed in the classroom -- and beyond.

1. Create an environment in your home that encourages learning.
This will be a major influence on how well your children do in school. Provide them with many different opportunities to become excited about learning. Make sure that appropriate materials from puzzles to paints to computers are available to stimulate their curiosity.

2. Provide your children with a well-balanced life.
A stable home, filled with love, serves as a solid foundation for getting straight A's. Establish routines so your children get enough sleep, eat regular nourishing meals, and receive sufficient exercise. Limit excessive TV-viewing and the playing of video and computer games.

3. Read to your children every day.
Most of the learning your children do in school involves reading. Read to your kids to teach them about reading, expand and enrich their vocabularies, and broaden their experiences. Reading aloud exposes them to materials that would be difficult for them to read on their own.

4. Encourage them to read extensively.
As your children progress through school, as much as 75 percent of what they learn will come from the printed page. The more children read, the better their reading skills become. Make sure there is a wide variety of interesting reading materials in your home to encourage the reading habit.

5. Show your children how to be organized.
Children who are organized find it much easier to succeed in school. One of the best ways to teach organizational skills is through example. Show your children how to use such organizational tools as assignment pads, calendars, notebooks, binders, and backpacks.

6. Teach them effective study skills.
Good study skills are absolutely essential to get A's. Make sure your children know how to read their textbooks, prepare for tests, memorize facts, and use their time efficiently. Encourage them to have a regular time for studying, and provide a study place that is free of distractions.

7. Urge your children to listen and participate in class.
Listening in class is the easy way for children to learn. Advise your older children to take notes, which will help them concentrate on what is being said. Encourage your children to participate in class -- it will greatly increase their interest in what they're learning.

8. Help your children learn how to tackle homework.
Doing homework reinforces what your children learn in school. Show them how to do it so that homework quickly becomes their responsibility. Help them learn what assignments to do first and how to plan their time. Encourage them not to rush through their homework but to consider every assignment a learning experience.

9. Talk to your children about school.
Your children spend hours in school every day. A lot can happen during that time. Show that you are genuinely interested in their day by asking questions about what they did and talking with them about the papers they bring home. When problems occur, work with your kids to find solutions.

10. Develop a good relationship with your children's teachers.
Good communication between home and school helps children do well in school and makes it easier to address problems. Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences, visit your kids' classrooms, and volunteer to help their teachers. And don't forget to express your appreciation to teachers for all that they do for your children.

Blogs Teach Kids Lessons

I know I post a lot on kids safty on the internet but I saw this article on lessons tought by blogging. My son just resantly started his own blog and I can see the lessons working. Give it a try!
Blogs for Kids
by Sharon Housley

Flush out the writer in children. Blogging could draw out a young writer and open doors to their future. Consider encouraging your child to start blogging!

Children love having an audience. The instant recognition and approval that comes from a crowd just can't be beat. Employing blogs to help develop good spelling habits, grammar skills, and develop a love for writing at a young age is an innovative concept that has potential benefits:

Benefits
1.) Responsibility/Commitment - Daily Posts
Regular updates require children to be disciplined and responsible.

2.) Communication - Increased Communication with Friends and Relatives
Blogging or journaling gives children the opportunity to connect with relatives who might live some distance away, communicating important timely issues.

3.) Technology - Exposure to Internet Technologies
Children are growing into technology-laden world. Exposure to innovative Internet technology will help them with communication skills and résumé-building.

4.) Improved Writing Skills
When presented with an audience, children will want to present their "best" work.

5.) Improved Editing Skills
Proofreading is an important skill that is difficult to teach. Editing of daily entries will help children learn how to present their ideas clearly and professionally.

6.) Improved Spelling
Automated spell-checking helps children be aware of spelling errors when they occur.

7.) Typing
Getting children acquainted with keyboards at a young age will help them become familiar with their layout and function, quickly making them proficient typists.

Because blogging involves the Internet, parents and teachers should also take the opportunity to educate youngsters about the dangers of the Internet. The Internet is global in its reach and developing safe Internet habits at a young age is critical. Remind children not to disclose personal information including names, addresses or location of events they plan to attend.

Kids And Nature

As a kid I loved being in nature. Growing up in an urban area of NJ I did not have as many nature experiences as kids in the suburbs. Kids these days don't get out enough and some people think it might be linked to child obesity and behavior problems. I think it might have a little to do with it. Nature helps because it gives the mind a chance to rest and it also shows children that there is more to life than their home town. What do you think?

Kids Nature Kit

Blog Basics For Kids

Just as you've taught your kids to be safe surfers, you may want to educate them about blogging and set some ground rules — much like completing driving school before hitting the road solo. Here are a few suggestions to get started:

Establish rules for online use with your kids and be diligent.

Screen what your children plan to post before they post it. Seemingly innocuous information, such as a school mascot and town photo, could be put together to reveal where the author goes to school.

Be selective about the information you share in a blog. If you are uncomfortable knowing a stranger could see certain content, do not post it.

Evaluate the blogging service and find out if it offers private, password-protected blogs.

Save the web address of your child's blog and review it on a regular basis.

Check out other blogs to find positive examples for your kids to emulate.

12 safety tips on blogging for parents and kids

Peer Pressure All Over Agian!!

We've all experienced peer pressure. It's a part of life and there's not much us parents can do about it. My best advice for parents is to keep the dialog open with your children. I speak to my son about it all the time. Yes, he might think I'm nagging him but when the time comes he'll hear my voice and advice. My fiance always told me that the way he stayed out of trouble was his moms' voice in the back of his mind.
My son is at the age where his class mates are asking him to do the silly things that boys do. I make it a point to go to my sons' school and meet his friends. Children tend to respect their friends a little more when they know their parents. I found this article on the web and thought you might like it. If you have any other advice I would love to hear about it.

Jamie Oliver Cares About Kids

Jamie Oliver is a great chef from London, for his official bio click here.
His work with school lunch duty opens up new options for children. Check it out.

Kidfresh

At Kidfresh, children have their own bar specially designed for them with lots of goodies...They can customize a Shapewich by picking their favorite shape, select from an array of colorful, organic fruits to blend into a smoothie or even color their cupcakes! And, dare we mention the exciting offerings at the ice cream station?

I think this is a great idea. The best way to get kids to eat healthy is to get them involved. Kids love to be part of the action in the kitchen.

Yoga For Kids

Although kids' yoga has been catching on in studios over the past few years, not all families have the means to send their children to classes at $15-$20 a pop. Another venue is growing, however more and more public and private schools are welcoming yoga and integrating it into the curriculum. I've noticed how relaxed my child has become since we've started yoga. I recommend it to all moms with hyper children.

How to protect your home network

Wireless networks are everywhere. In fact, in the past 18 months, they surpassed old-fashioned, tethering wired networks as the method of choice for connecting computers at home. According to Jupiter Research, there's now over 12 million wireless home networks floating around America.

Four steps to better home office security

Computer Time Watcher for Kids

Should Government Tell You if You Can Spank Your Child?

It’s an old argument — to spank or not to spank children. Now California could theoretically be the first state to outlaw parental spanking. The proposal includes penalties of up to a year in jail and fines of as much as $1000 dollars. The Mountain View legislator who proposed it is instant national news. Fox News

Is Your Kid A Healthy Eater?

Ever since my son was a baby, I always gave him the best of the best when it came to food. I buy mostly organic and we eat out, at the most, twice a month. Before working from home I would eat out like three times a week. My fiance, the organic gourmet chef, loves to cook home made meals with all the main food groups. Do you think your child considers themselves "healthy eaters"? This test is to see how much we know about our kids diet.

Is Your Kid Running Your KItchen?

Indeed, the pantries of adults with kids are far more likely to contain cheese, cookies, processed meats, pizza and bagged snacks than are those of their childless peers, and parents consume more total fat and more saturated fat than non-parents, according to the research.

So what are parents to do - choose between their kids and steamed broccoli?

I see a lot of my friend allowing their kids to make all the choices when it comes to food. It's fair to allow children to give input, but not to make the final choices. Nutrition should be at the forefront of meals. These days there is no excuse for making nutritional food taste yucky.

So take back the kitchen - and the grocery list. Guiding a child's eating practices is as much a parental duty as seeing that he's immunized or wears a seat belt.

When Is It Safe For Our Kids To Blog?

So the question was finally asked the other day. "Mom, can I...um...can I have a blog?" I don't think it's a bad idea for our kids to have a blog as long as they are educated on the do's and don'ts of the Internet. It's like anything else in life, we have to hold their hands. Login in, passwords and identity are on the top of my list. My son wants to blog on sports and games. I can't wait to see what he comes up with.