In The News
Study: 1 in 4 Kids Miss More School Than They Should
As many as 7.5 million students miss a month of school each year, raising the likelihood that they’ll fail academically and eventually drop out of high school. Read more
Oregon Bans Native American School Nicknames and Mascots
After months of heated debate, Oregon has voted that 8 of its public high schools and an unknown number of its elementary and middle schools have to change or modify their school nicknames and mascots, after concluding Native American images and names like “Braves” and “Warriors” reinforce negative stereotypes about Native Americans. Read more
For First Time Racial and Ethnic Minorities Make Up More than Half of U.S. Births
For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S., capping decades of heady immigration growth that is now slowing. Minorities made up roughly 2.02 million, or 50.4 percent of U.S. births in the 12-month period ending July 2011 according to the US Census. That compares with 37 percent in 1990. Read more
Rate of Women Dying During Pregnancy or Childbirth Cut By 50% in Last 20 Years
The greatest strides were in eastern Asia, where the rate of maternal deaths dropped nearly 70% from 1990 to 2010. But a global goal of reducing maternal deaths by 75% from 1990 to 2015 remains distant in some countries where progress has been slow or nonexistent. Read more
What are the Best and Worst Sunscreens?
Warning- some sunscreens may actually be hazardous to you and your children’s health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released its 2012 ranking of 1,800 sunscreens, lip balms and SPF cosmetics. Type in your product of choice and see how it ranks. Read more about what to look for when sunscreen shopping this season and what to avoid here- the answers may surprise you.
No Talk of “Gateway Sex” in Tennessee Classrooms
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed into law the controversial bill that would ban teachers from discussing any “gateway sexual activity” while teaching sex education to their students. ”Everybody in this room knows what gateway sexual activity is,” said state Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, in his testimony to the Tennessee House of Representatives. “Everybody knows there are certain buttons when you push them, certain switches when you turn them on, there’s no stopping, especially for undisciplined, untrained, untaught and unraised children who just want to feel affection from somebody or anybody.” Read more
Is Extended Breast Feeding More Common Than We Think?
In the wake of the TIME magazine cover story, an attractive young mother nursing her 4-year-old son with the provocative title: “Are You Mom Enough?” another TIME writer explains why she may not practice all methods of attachment parenting, but she does see the benefits of extended breastfeeding. Read more
The Age of Overparenting- Why and How to Let Kids Be Kids
Can there be such a thing as over parenting? The author of this piece makes so many excellent points about the type of hovering, yet well-intentioned, parenting that is so prevalent today…”I’ve begun to wonder if, by becoming so attuned to their every need and so controlling of their every move, I’ve somehow played a small part in changing the very nature of their childhood.” Read more
Tip Of The Moment
5 Healthy Snacks Kids Can Make on Their Own
5 Healthy Snacks Kids Can Make on Their Own … [Read More...]
Spotlight on Kids
Georgia High School To Graduate Record Sets of Twins
In what is called a statistical phenomenon, 12 sets of twins are set to graduate from Brookwood High in Gwinnett County, Georgia later this spring. The school softball coach laughs, “You wonder what was in the water back then!” Read more
