Whether you have a question about a specific condition or are looking for general guidance, you know you can trust us. That's because HealthyChildren.org is the only site backed by 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians. We're committed to offering the most reliable, up-to-the-minute health advice for proactive parents and caregivers.

"Parents have hundreds of questions about their children's health, and they want detailed answers," said Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, a practicing pediatrician and medical editor of HealthyChildren.org. "HealthyChildren.org empowers parents to be proactive about their children's health, whether it's learning about the vaccines their infant needs, the developmental milestones to watch for in their toddler, or how to stay connected with their teenager."

HealthyChildren.org is divided into multiple, user-friendly sections, including:

o Ages & Stages: Information on the health issues of infants through adolescents, including interactive content on developmental milestones.

o Healthy Living: Up-to-date guidance on fitness, sports, oral health, emotional wellness and nutrition.

o Safety & Prevention: Preparing for health scenarios that occur at home, school and on the go, as well as in-depth information on the immunizations children need to stay healthy.

o Health Issues: An exhaustive, A-to-Z list of more than 300 health care topics.

"HealthyChildren.org is more than just an information portal," said Judith S. Palfrey, MD, FAAP, president of the AAP. "It's a valuable tool that parents can use to improve the health of their family."

As the premier Web site for child health information, HealthyChildren.org provides support, resources and a host of features to enable parents to quickly find the critical, relevant information they’re looking for.

America's Kids Pay the Price

Today the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), Every Child Matters Education Fund, and Voices for America's Children joined in releasing a new report, State Budget Cuts: America's Kids Pay the Price. You can find the report at this link:
http://www.naccrra.org/policy/economic-stimulus-briefing-room/docs/January6FinalNACECMVOI.pdf

WORKSHOPS ON VISUAL LEARNING AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Ball State University is guiding teachers through the world of digital literacy and emerging technologies by offering the Digital Literacy Workshop Series. Each workshop offers hands-on training and explores the world of digital learning.

This workshop series is presented each month on Saturday mornings to accommodate the busy lives of educators. Classes are held at our convenient location in the heart of Indianapolis at: Ball State University Indianapolis Center, 50 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

January 16, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This month the focus is web 2.0 tools such as podcasts, blogs, Facebook and wikis.

February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This workshop offers hands-on experiences on digital video use for reflection, storytelling, and analysis.

March 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
New interactivities will be highlighted in this month such as iPhones and SmartBoards.

April 24, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The final workshop will review visual learning tools like Inspiration.

Space is limited so register today!


Two registration options for this workshop series:
1. Professional Development/Non-Credit REGISTRATION
· Included in the registration fee is access to digital technologies during the workshops, refreshments, consumables (batteries, storage media, etc.), ongoing support downtown, in Muncie, and online.
· Cost: $199 for all four or $69 per workshop.

2. Graduate Credit (3 hours) – Current Ball State Students Only REGISTRATION
· Teachers who are seeking graduate credit will receive, in addition to the workshop experience, added online activities and assignments. Teachers will apply their new competencies by designing a curricular unit or project that incorporates digital media and includes a performance assessment that examines student learning.
· Register for EDTEC 665: Children, Technology, and Digital Literacy (Spring 2010). Normal tuition rates apply. The cost of the workshops is included.
· Teachers are required to attend 3 of the 4 workshops.


For additional questions, please contact us at 765-285-7600 or email http://us.mc819.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cte@bsu.edu.

Fun and Easy Snow Day Activities Children Will Love

Turn Snow Day into Fun Day with These Great Activities
December 08, 2009 by Danielle Crofford Fetters

If you are a kid then the words "snow day" are a welcome break from the normal routine of getting up and going to school each day.. However those same words can bring a sense of dread and anxiety to parents as they anticipate a day stuck inside with energetic and bored kids. Snow days don't have to be feared by parents, there are a lot of fun indoor activities that you can engage your children in to help pass the time,keep them busy and out of your hair all day. To help you have a stress free day here are ten snow day activities that you can do inside your home with items you probably already have on hand.

Edible Snowflakes

Fold flour tortillas in fourths and use scissors to cut shapes out pf the folds, just like when you cut a paper snowflake, Brush with melted butter. sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until crispy.Yum!

Snow Cream

Make this yummy treat using clean fresh snow. fold in a mixture of vanilla,milk and sugar to taste. You have a perfect treat for a snow day at home.

Board Games

Pull out your board games and have a fun day playing them. Some good ones to play are Sorry, Monopoly and Life. If you have younger children games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Memory are good choices. If all you have is a deck of playing cards bring them out and teach the kids how to play Go Fish, Slap Jack or War.

PJ and Popcorn Movie Day

Let the kids wear their pajamas all day, make some popcorn and watch movies. some good choices for a Snow Day movie marathon are Jack Frost, Snow Dogs,Snow Buddies, and Snow Day.

Snowflake Art

Put your coffee filters to good use and let the children fold them in fourths and cut small shapes from the folds to make beautiful snowflakes. You can drizzle on glue and sprinkle with glitter for a sparkly effect. Once dry use scotch tape to hang in windows and around the room.

Freeze Dance

Put on some music and let the kids get some energy out by dancing. When the music stops they have to freeze in place. Anyone who moves while frozen is out. The winner is the last person dancing.

Sock Puppet Show
Put those unmatched socks to good use by letting the kids use craft materials to turn old socks into sock puppets for a Snow Day Puppet Show. An old box can be decorated and turned into a impromptu puppet stage. Kids will enjoy putting on a show for the whole family.

Snow Painting

Kids will enjoy using spray bottles to paint on snow.

Fill a few spray bottles with a few drops of food coloring and water. Bring in a pan of fresh snow and let the kids spray paint on snow. Talk about how the colors blend to make new colors and what happens when the colored mixture hits the snow. This activity is a fun art and science project rolled into one.

Indoor Picnic

Make some sandwiches and other picnic foods, bring out a blanket and have a picnic indoors. While enjoying your lunch talk about the things you like to do when its warm outside.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Give each child a list of common household items and have them go on an indoor scavenger hunt. so the kids aren't running all over the house limit this activity to a couple of rooms and make a no running rule. Have a small prize available for the winner.

With just a few supplies and a little creativity you can turn a boring Snow Day into a fun experience for both you and your children.