The Childrens Wear Outlet

Friday, January 30, 2009

Children Invited To Learn About Disabilities By Creating A Unique Friend For Arthur

(NAPSI)-Helping a child understand and appreciate the differences in others can be easier than many parents realize.

Parents may consider these tips to help children learn that we all have different levels of abilities as well as unique talents and similar interests:

1. Have your child look around his classroom, family or group of friends and notice that everyone has something that is unique and special. Point out what a boring place this world would be if we were all just the same.

2. Explain disabilities in terms of adaptation. Just as people adapt to cold weather by wearing coats and mittens, some people with mobility issues may adapt by using a wheelchair. This positive approach helps show how we all adapt in our lives and that we're more alike than different.

3. Talk to your child about what a classmate or neighbor with a disability has in common with others-the same age, school, a favorite movie, hobby or sport.

To help parents and kids talk about these issues, "ARTHUR," the award-winning PBS KIDS GO!SM television series, and CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program dedicated to making life easier for kids with disabilities, have introduced the "ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search"! Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to send in their ideas for a new friend for Arthur.

Kids are asked to draw their character and describe what makes the character special. The child with the selected idea, along with his or her character, will be featured in a live-action segment on the show. Not only that, the winner gets a visit from "ARTHUR" creator and author Marc Brown at his or her local school, library or a PBS station.

The search is designed to educate children about the importance of inclusion and how children of all abilities can play together.

The contest also encourages parents and children to think about what life is like for someone they know who has a disability. The contest is made possible by CVS Caremark and its All Kids Can program, which supports services that help children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life. Visit pbskidsgo.org/arthur/allkidscan to download the entry form as of February 1, 2009. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2009.

You can find tips and resources at pbskidsgo.org/arthur/allkidscan and on the PBS Parents Web site, pbsparents.org.

by Eileen Howard Dunn

Ms Dunn is Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at CVS Caremark.

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Toys"R"Us, Inc. and Safe Kids Worldwide Partner to Offer Tips to Help Parents Keep Kids Safe While On-the-Go

/PRNewswire/ -- Whether it's a quick trip to the store, an extended vacation, a sleepover at Grandma's or a stay at a hotel, creating a safe environment for young travelers takes careful preparation. To help prevent childhood injuries while on-the-go and away from home, Toys"R"Us, Inc. has partnered with Safe Kids Worldwide, the world's leading childhood injury prevention organization, to offer parents and caregivers valuable travel safety tips.

"We love kids, and helping parents create fun, happy memories for their children is at the heart of what we do at Toys"R"Us. To that end, we remain committed to helping keep children safe at all times, including while traveling," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "We hope parents and caregivers will utilize the valuable safety information we have developed with Safe Kids Worldwide to help ensure family trips and vacations with little ones are enjoyable and injury-free."

From planning for the journey to making sure kids have everything they need to be safe and happy when they arrive at their final destination, preparation is required for every stage of the trip. Following are highlights of the tips available at www.Toysrus.com/Safety to help parents and caregivers create and maintain a safe environment for kids of all ages while away from home:

-- Preparing for the Journey and the Destination: Advice is available
about essentials to pack and information to have on hand, such as a
recent photo of the children traveling and the poison control hotline
number that connects travelers to local poison control centers
anywhere in the United States. In addition, if the traveler's
itinerary includes an extended stay at a friend or relative's home,
parents and caregivers will find recommendations for discussing
childproofing measures with the host.

-- Getting There: Whether traveling by plane or car, simple safety
measures will help ensure kids enjoy a fun and harmless ride.
Recommendations for safely securing children while on the road or in
the air are included, as are tips for traveling with proper gear that
is easy to carry and useful throughout the entire trip. Suggestions
are also available to keep children engaged and occupied along the
way.

-- On-the-Go Sleep: Ensuring babies have a safe sleeping environment
when they are away requires the same vigilance as it does at home. As
always, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib certified by
the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) with a firm
mattress and a well-fitting sheet. Parents are advised to bring their
own bed for the baby, such as a portable crib or playard. If a trip
requires relying on a hotel's crib, parents are urged to inspect it
carefully for broken or missing parts and look up the model on
www.Recalls.gov to make sure it isn't subject to any safety notices.

-- On-the-Go Meals: Mealtime on vacation or away from home can mean
relying on unfamiliar highchairs or utensils that aren't
baby-friendly. To minimize risk of spills and accidents, tips about
properly securing small children in highchairs and traveling with the
right utensils and food containers are provided.

-- In a Crowd: When in large crowds, active supervision is more
important than ever. Whenever possible, parents and caregivers should
take precautionary measures prior to being in a crowded environment
with their children, such as dressing them in brightly colored clothes
so they are easy to spot. Also included are rules to set with
children about their behavior in large crowds.

"When families are enjoying time away together, it can be easy to let important safety routines fall by the wayside. Safety requires constant vigilance, especially in unfamiliar places where children face unknown hazards," said Mitch Stoller, President and CEO, Safe Kids Worldwide. "Taking the simple precautionary steps outlined in the tips we've developed with Toys"R"Us will help ensure safe travels."

A broad assortment of safety items -- from car seats and first aid kits to baby monitors and sleepsacks -- are available at Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and on www.Toysrus.com. In addition, trained and knowledgeable employees are always on hand to provide parents with the necessary information to help them find everything they need to keep children safe.

More information about product safety and preventing unintentional injuries during key times of the year is available on the company's dedicated Safety microsite, www.Toysrus.com/Safety.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Diageo Supports 'Girl Talk' Initiative in Atlanta

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diageo, the world's leading spirits, wine and beer company is proud to support 'Girl Talk,' a program designed to raise awareness on the dangers of underage drinking specific to teenage girls. Tailored and unique to its demographic, the anti-drinking initiative is spearheaded by The Century Council, a not-for-profit organization funded by some of America's leading distillers and dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. The 'Girl Talk' program was introduced yesterday to students at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta.

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker and the President and CEO of The Century Council, Ralph Blackman, were on hand to discuss alcohol related issues with the audience. Representatives from The Century Council and other organizations also offered their insight and guidance during the presentation and further engaged students in meaningful dialogue.

"Diageo is proud to support a program like 'Girl Talk' to educate young women about the risks involved with underage drinking," said Barry Becton, Senior Director State Government Relations, Diageo North America. "As the world's leading beverage alcohol company, we want to make it clear that we don't want the business of those under the legal drinking age. Period."

Although underage drinking trends are declining, the genesis for 'Girl Talk' is based on a survey conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) that found mothers underestimate the occurrence of underage drinking among their own daughters. The survey also found a lack of communication between mothers and teenage daughters. Designed to address the communication gap, 'Girl Talk' encourages mothers and daughters to engage in an ongoing dialogue about the dangers of underage drinking and the specific risks facing teenage daughters.

Diageo is a founding member and major supporter of The Century Council, an organization funded by some of America's leading distillers committed to developing programs to combat drunk driving and underage drinking. These programs include 'Ask, Listen, Learn,' 'Cops in Shops,' 'Brandon Tells His Story' and 'Girl Talk.' The Century Council also works with a broad array of education and prevention professionals on alcohol issues.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program Brings Free Children's Dental Screenings to Atlanta Area Big Lots Stores

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brighter smiles await children in Georgia as the Colgate-Palmolive Company brings its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Oral Health Improvement Program to the Smyrna and Marietta Big Lots stores on Saturday, January 31.

The fun and engaging Bright Smiles, Bright Futures dental van and its team of dental professionals will provide free dental education, screenings, and treatment referrals to children up to 12 years old. Children and families can receive services and visit the 32-foot kid-friendly dental van at the following Big Lots locations:

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Smyrna Big Lots in the King Springs Shopping Center, 3791 S. Cobb Drive, Ste G.

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Marietta Springs Plaza Big Lots, 680 Powder Springs Road.

Each child screened will receive a free children's oral care kit and a dental report card. In conjunction with the event, Big Lots is offering a 3 for $5, 8.2-ounce Colgate toothpaste of choice deal at these store locations.

"Colgate-Palmolive is one of our distinguished national brand suppliers," said CEO Steve Fishman. "We are delighted that Colgate, in the spirit of partnership, is bringing their award-winning oral health program to stores in the communities we serve."

Established in 1991, Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures reaches 10 million children and families annually with positive oral health education. The company has embarked on an aggressive mission to reach 100 million smiles in the United States by 2009. The program has been implemented in 30 languages and 80 countries worldwide.

"The program truly features a 360-degree approach by targeting partnerships with teachers, parents, dental professionals, and the community," noted Rob Claxton, Big Lots Senior VP of Marketing. "There's nothing more rewarding than being part of a program that spreads smiles to children everywhere."

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Does Personality Influence Parenting Style?

/PRNewswire/ -- Mindset Media (www.mindset-media.com), an ad-technology company that enables brand advertisers to reach millions of people with the personality traits that fit their brands, released today a Mindset Profile(TM) of parents, which the company generated from a recent study conducted using Nielsen's Online panel (www.nielsen-online.com).

Is it safe to let your kids go online? Will their brains rot if you let them play video games? How much TV is too much? When it comes to managing the amount and type of media your children consume, it can sure be a minefield. For some parents, media and video games are a bad thing that need to be restricted. For others, it's just part of the fabric of life, and they're much more permissive. It turns out that how you answer those thorny questions may have a lot to do with how you are wired: your particular personality traits.

Mindset Media recently conducted a study of 10,000 parents with children under the age of 18 using the Nielsen Online panel. They found that parents who restrict or ban their children from certain forms of media, such as television, video games, and the internet, have a distinctly different Mindset Profile, or set of psychographic traits, than parents who tend to be more permissive.

According to the study, three personality traits, or Mindsets, over-index for restrictive parents:

-- Parents who ban their children from watching movies and videos are 78
percent more likely to be very diligent, or Diligence 5s, in Mindset
Media parlance. Diligence 5s are remarkably goal-oriented types who
work intensely and systematically until they have achieved what they
set out to accomplish.
-- Parents who restrict their children from listening to certain types of
music are 43 percent more likely to be very dogmatic, or Dogmatism 5s.
This group of people honors tradition, accepts authority, and is
generally conservative in all things.
-- Parents who ban the internet are 30 percent more likely to be very
pugnacious, or Pugnaciousness 5s. Highly pugnacious types are
unafraid to tell others what they think of them: good, bad or
indifferent. They value honesty and bluntness over maintaining social
equilibrium and tiptoeing around feelings.


Permissive parents, on the other hand, over-index on three very different three personality traits:

-- Parents who never restrict their children's use of the internet are 39
percent more likely to be very low on the dogmatism scale, or
Dogmatism 1s. They are generally socially liberal types who disdain
so-called moral authorities, especially the conservative kind. They
think kids should be exposed to moral questions and allowed to draw
their own conclusions.
-- Parents who allow their kids to play video games are 24 percent more
likely to be highly altruistic, or Altruism 5s. They think of
themselves as giving and warm. They believe others see those
qualities in you and appreciate and like you for them.
-- Parents who allow their children to watch as much television as they
please are 27 percent more likely to be a full of bravado, or Bravado
5s. They are wide-open to new challenges, even dangerous ones. At
the same time they push themselves, they tend to be accepting of
others and easy to get along with.


"It's always fascinating to see how personality traits shape our choices, from the things we buy to how we parent," said Sarah Welch COO and Co-Founder of Mindset Media. "And marketers can use this kind of data not only to get a richer understanding of their target, but also to reach the parents with the Mindsets to be more receptive to what they have to sell through the Mindset Media ad targeting capability," continued Welch.

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Your Child's Math Skills: An Investment That Always Pays Off

(ARA) – You may be surprised to know that an investment in your child’s education doesn’t necessarily include a deposit into a college savings account. Studies show that a child’s academic foundation and resulting success is built upon skills developed as early as kindergarten, so it's never too early to start supplementing their education.

With so many products and programs focused on helping your child learn to read, math skills can easily be lost in the shuffle. While a recent study from Northwestern University concluded that early math proficiency is the most important predictor for a student’s academic success, too many children in this country are behind in math and too many parents don’t know what to do to help. Parents shouldn’t ignore the role math plays in their child’s future.

In addition to helping your child with their assigned homework, here are a few tips to help them improve their math skills and build the foundation for a lifetime of successful learning.

Have fun counting
*Find ways to play counting games during the day, such as counting the number of stairs, the number of red cars you pass while driving, and the number of spoons needed to set the table
*Have your child count the number of cookies (or slices of bread) needed for everyone in the family to get two
*Cook with your child and have your child measure the amounts for the ingredients
*Ask your child to find the right coins to pay for an item

Play music together
*March in a parade around the house to the beat
*Beat a simple pattern on a “drum” and have your child copy you. Then have your child be the leader
*Sign your child up for music lessons

Play family games that require math skills
*Play card games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights and Rummy
*Play board games like Candy Land or Checkers or Trouble
*Try Yahtzee

One of the most innovative products created to help kids learn math is DreamBox Learning K-2 Math (www.dreambox.com). The engaging, Web-based adventure was developed to increase learning by placing each child at the correct starting point and continuously adapting all aspects of the experience to make sure kids are learning in a way that meets their particular learning needs and preferences.

Elementary school teacher Kathleen Marshall has been using DreamBox Learning K-2 Math in her classroom and recommends parents use it at home with their children. “I have never before seen 30 students sit mesmerized in front of a computer screen having great fun doing math that is appropriate for their needs,” she says. “One of my English Language Learner (ELL) students turned with a glowing grin and said, ‘Mrs. Marshall, now I can do math!’ I nearly cried.”

Math matters and it’s as important to give kids a solid understanding of numbers as it is for them to learn how to read. Investing in all aspects of your young child’s education is sure to pay dividends throughout their journey into middle school, high school and beyond. Spending time at home counting, organizing and playing math games with your child is not only a great investment in their future, it’s a great way to spend quality time together as well.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Video Games Are Good For Kids, Say Experts

(StatePoint) We've all heard about the negative effects video games have on kids. Play them too much and their brains will turn into mush.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

Instead of trying to get kids to kick the video game habit, experts now say gaming can be good and are encouraging youngsters to delve deeper by actually creating their own games.

"Making their own games while interacting with others during the creative process is a great way for kids to exercise their minds and strengthen key social skills. They also develop a proficiency in technology that's sure to benefit them in today's wired workplace," said Pete Findley, founder and CEO of Giant Campus (www.giantcampus.com), an education company offering youth technology camps.

"The stereotype that gaming is a solitary, violent, anti-social activity just doesn't hold up. The average teen plays all different kinds of games and generally plays them with friends and family both online and offline," said Amanda Lenhart, a Senior Research Specialist with the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which recently conducted a national survey on kids and video games.

There are many Web sites, software programs and books on the subject of how to make your own games. However, one of the best ways for kids to tackle this challenge -- without fear of them getting bored or overwhelmed and simply giving up -- is to enroll them in an online camp where they can learn with other kids at the instruction of a professional teacher.

Findley's Giant Campus, for instance, is offering a video game design course along with other high tech courses that are conveniently scheduled during school breaks - such as mid-winter break (February 16-20) and spring break (numerous camp weeks spanning March 30 - April 24). The online course offered to 10 to 17-year-olds takes place for two hours on consecutive days with participants logging in from anywhere for instructor-led demonstrations, practice sessions and project time. By the end of the course, each will create his or her own multi-level arcade game.

"We need to focus less on how much time kids spend playing video games and pay more attention to the kinds of experiences they have while playing them," noted Professor Joseph Kahne, Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group at Mills College, and co-author of the Pew report.

According to the Pew researchers, video game playing can incorporate many positive aspects of life, with 76 percent of youth reporting helping others while gaming. And 44 percent reporting playing games where they learned about a problem in society.

Game playing experiences are diverse, with the most popular games falling into the racing, puzzle, sports, action and adventure categories.

Online technology camps are a great way for kids to dip their toes in the water to find out if they want to get more serious about creating their own video games. At a little more than $100, online camps are a convenient and cheap alternative to other educational camps.

For more information on gaming courses offered as part of Giant Campus' online camps, visit www.giantcampus.com.

"When you ask kids what they want to be when they grow up, many say they want to make video games for a living," Findley said. "Even if they don't become the creators of the next 'Guitar Hero' or 'Super Mario' game, learning and participating in such a course is a great way to develop creativity, problem-solving and teamwork skills."

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

New Sick Day Guidelines Help Parents Make the Right Call This Cold Season

/PRNewswire/ -- Parents just know when their children aren't feeling well, but they aren't always sure when those coughs and sniffles warrant keeping them home from school. In fact, a new study shows that 78 percent of parents faced at least one situation in the past year when they were not sure whether or not to keep their children home from school when they had cough or cold symptoms(ii).

To help parents make informed decisions, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and Triaminic(R) developed the national "Sick Day Guidelines: Making the Right Call When Your Child Has a Cold." The guidelines provide parents with the key signs that they should consider keeping their child home from school. The Sick Day Guidelines, which also provide tips for helping to prevent colds and relieve cough and cold symptoms, are available to approximately 14,000 NASN members who reach 16 million children and their families across the country.

"Healthy children learn better. It's our goal to support parents and the decisions they make when their child is sick," said Amy Garcia, Executive Director of the National Association of School Nurses. "We felt that this was a perfect opportunity to extend our support to the home and provide parents with a resource that can help them make confident decisions."

The nationwide study among 516 parents with children ages 4 - 14, conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates on behalf of Triaminic(R), also found that:

-- 83 percent of parents worried that they may have sent their child back
to school at least once before their child was fully recovered from
his/her cough or cold.
-- 78 percent of moms and dads say it would be useful to have "Sick Day"
guidelines on when it might be appropriate to keep their child home
from school when he/she has a cough or cold.
-- 79 percent of parents say that having information to help them
understand the type of medication or treatment their child needs is
important.


Parents and caregivers may also be unsure about how best to relieve their child's cough and cold symptoms following recent news about changes to children's over-the-counter cough and cold product labeling and the new recommendation to not use these products in children under the age of four in the U.S.

The "Sick Day Guidelines: Making the Right Call When Your Child Has a Cold" provide parents with tips and useful information so they have the resources they need to make the right call for their family.

Examples of the tips include:
-- Consider keeping your child home from school if he or she has a fever
of 100.4 degrees or higher(iii), has been vomiting, or has symptoms
that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as
excessive tiredness or lack of appetite, productive coughing,
sneezing, headache, body aches, earache or sore throat.
-- Children should stay home from school until the fever has been gone
for 24 hours without medication. Returning to school sooner may slow
recovery and expose others to unnecessary illness.
-- After your child is feeling better, clean all surfaces; wash the
bedding and air out the room.


"Through their extensive membership, the National Association of School Nurses brings a wealth of experience and care to school-aged children and their families. For more than 50 years, Triaminic(R) has been a trusted partner with parents and caregivers, providing a complete line of children's cough and cold products. We are proud to partner with NASN on the Sick Day Guidelines to help children and their families stay well and feel better this cough and cold season," said Praveen Tyle, Ph.D., Head of Global Research and Development, Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.

The Sick Day Guidelines and more information on using children's cough and cold medications appropriately are available at www.nasn.org, www.triaminic.com, or by calling 1-800-KIDS-987. The Sick Day Guidelines are available in both English and Spanish.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

The 1st Ever Summer Camp Expo Coming to Fayette County

South Metro Atlanta parents will find it much easier and faster to choose a summer camp for their child in 2009 with the LocalKidFun.com Summer Camp Expo on March 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fayette Family YMCA on Huiet Road in Fayetteville. The camp expo will provide busy parents with a one-stop resource for information regarding availability, daily activities, cost, and more of many summer camps, all conveniently assembled under one roof.

"Many parents spend hours and hours calling around to area camps to find one that fits the needs of their child or children. Whether parents are looking for day camps, overnight camps, or camps with a special theme, parents will be able to talk directly with camp providers, compare camps, and register their child for the summer fun that fits the needs of their child" states LocalKidFun owner, Candace Robichaux.

Parents are encouraged to bring the entire family to this free event where kids will enjoy playing in the LocalKidFun Zone, including inflatables from Shenanigans Toys, Inc.

Parents not able to attend the event can go to http://www.LocalKidFun.com to find a comprehensive list of summer camp options in your local area. A portion of the exhibitors' fees will be donated to Fayette Family YMCA's Partner with Youth Program, which benefits neighborhood children and families with scholarships to nurturing programs, like YMCA's summer day camp.

Camp providers interested in exhibiting at the Expo may go to http://www.localkidfun.com/CampExpo.php for exhibitor information or email sales@localkidfun.com.

LocalKidFun.com has been serving Fayette, Coweta and Henry counties since 2007, and provides on-line information to enhance the lives of families located in the southern counties of Atlanta. States owner, Candace Robichaux, "LocalKidFun.com unites local businesses with families by providing easy access to ideas, activities, sports, classes, and camps."
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

New Children's Book Addresses Cyber Bullying

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On January 1, 2009, California joined the growing number of states that have passed laws against Cyber Bullying. The School Cyber Bullying Law (AB 86) allows school officials to suspend or expel students for Cyber Bullying, or harassment and intimidation via the Internet.

Today's bully has a new playground; computers, cell phones and social networking sites. What was once known as teasing face to face, playing practical jokes, and making prank phone calls has evolved into a generation of bullies that hides behind the veil of computer screens and cell phones.

Creators of the renowned children's book series, Temptation of a Generation, have released their third book that tackles the tough issues today's pre-teens face with technology.

Don't Hit Send Just to Fit In educates children and parents about cyber bullying, a topic rampant in schools across the country affecting kids as young as seven-years-old.

Don't Hit Send Just to Fit In tells the story of a group of tweens who become victims to cyber bullies. On their way to discovering more positive ways to deal with these new found issues, the tweens become bullies themselves. Through the help of positive adults and a magical keyboard, they learn not to succumb to the lure of cyber bullying and realize that there are better ways to fit in and make friends.

"Bullying has always existed among youth, but today's bullying seems to have more devastating effects. The mode of delivery is much faster, and reaches inordinate amounts of people," states Karen Child Ogden, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and contributor to the series. "Once kids post a message on a social networking site or cell phone it can never be erased. Kids don't understand the consequences of their behavior with regard to cyber bullying, and neither do most parents."

Don't Hit Send Just to Fit In teaches children and parents how easy it is to become a cyber bully, or to be bullied online. Studies show 42% of children have been bullied while online, while 58% have not told their parents about something mean or hurtful that happened to them while surfing the net.(1) The ramifications of cyber bullying are far-reaching and include depression, anxiety, school absence, and even death. The number of kids who take their lives due to cyber bullying grows each day.

Don't Hit Send Just to Fit In ($9.99 US) is available online at www.amazon.com and www.beyondyourwords.com.

The Temptation Series tackles tough topics relating to tweens and technology such as Internet pornography, cell phone use and abuse, and cyber bullying. The series offers parents information and tools for raising their children to become more emotionally and socially healthy.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Report: Technology No Substitute for Parental and Law Enforcement Efforts

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking report to be released by the Internet Safety Technical Task Force finds that when it comes to protecting children online, there is no technological substitute for the role of law enforcement and parents in keeping society safe, according to the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI), a member of the Task Force and contributor to the report.

"The research shows while technology may be part of the solution, the key to keeping kids safe online is a multilayered approach combining technology, law enforcement, caregiver oversight and private educational efforts on Internet safety," said Bartlett Cleland, director of the IPI Center for Technology Freedom.

After an extensive review of current technological tools available, the Task Force has concluded there is no reliable solution in the form of technology mandates that will mitigate Internet safety threats.

"IPI hopes that one result of the report's findings will be to make clear that no technology can replace parental supervision and law enforcement. Training and education in promoting Internet safety should be provided to both groups to limit the incidence and severity of these tragedies," said Cleland.

IPI was named in March of 2008 to serve alongside other organizations and Internet companies to research effective Internet safety technologies for protecting children online.

"IPI has been honored to serve as a member of the Task Force to help protect this country's most precious resource --- our children. However, there is still plenty of work left to be done by law enforcement, caregivers, teachers and Internet companies, and IPI looks forward to working with the attorneys general and federal officials in addressing these challenges," said Cleland.

Cleland has spent a decade working towards empowering parents with real tools and real solutions for protecting their children through his membership on the board of the Internet Education Foundation and its Web site GetNetWise.org.

The IPI Center for Technology Freedom helps policy makers and the American people think about the issues raised by technological change, and advocate a regime that encourages the freedom to develop and access beneficial new technologies.

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Saturday, January 3, 2009

New! Safe and Wholesome Interactive Web Site and Toy Line for Children Ages 3-11 Angel Heaven(TM) World.com

/PRNewswire/ -- Angel Heaven(TM) World, a new St. Louis-based online company, has unveiled their new interactive Web site and full line of original, wholesome dolls with collectable wings, stuffed animals, music and other Angel themed merchandise. AngelHeaven(TM)World.com is a secure, values-based Web site that allows children access to games and activities and gives parents and loved ones a "talking" shopping experience they won't find anywhere else.

The company is the vision of nationally known artist, author and designer Sharon M (Geisen) Hayes. In 2005, she was inspired to develop Angel Heaven(TM) by her own childhood dreams and her pure love of life and people.

"I created Angel Heaven to encourage feelings of security and joy for today's children and to recapture a sense of innocence in this forever changing world," says Sharon Hayes, CEO and Founder of Angel Heaven (TM) World. "Our values-oriented Web site provides kids with an experience that celebrates creativity, learning and doing positive things for others."

Angel Heaven(TM) World stands apart with its entertaining and wholesome online neighborhood where kids (ages 3-11) can help their angels earn wings, fly & chat in a safe and secure Angel Heaven(TM) park, play online games with the many characters of Angel Heaven(TM) and Shop for guardian angel dolls and other Angel Heaven(TM) creations. The site can also help kids learn basic skills like memory building, reading and creative thinking in a safe, secure web environment. In 2009, AngelHeaven(TM)World.com will be adding Angel Heaven cartoons, books and more!

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