Best Of The Web: December 7-13

Contributors: Veronica
Torok and Briehn Trumbauer

Here’s a weekly roundup of parenting articles that piqued
our interest. Enjoy! —

Does anyone actually think the Muppets
are communists? Fox News does. (Slate)

Sarah Jessica Parker doesn’t really know “how she does it.”
Unlike her movie character, she’s highly
realistic about family life. “Kids can really distract you from your
relationship,” she tells The Telegraph,
“maybe in good ways and bad ways.” (The
Telegraph)

Here’s a news piece for the kiddos. Two little ones play
Ebert & Roeper and review
Arthur Christmas—they give it a 10 out of 10! (Bored Mommy)

The Bronx
Science principal may rub some teachers the wrong way, but is she making the
high school a better place for learning? Decide for yourself after reading this
detailed story. (New York Magazine)

Some bloggers believe the Times was foolish to interview Jerry
Sandusky and give him a platform on which to speak. What do you think? (Slate)

Should the 200-pound boy really be taken
from his parents? Mom and Dad are being accused of medical neglect. (Huffington Post)

Coloring book apps and karaoke games turn the iPad
into a toddler’s most exciting toy, giving parents more reasons to
rationalize making an expensive technology purchase. (USA Today)

The problem of sexting has had parents worried for awhile, and many are still
unsure of how to teach kids awareness about the consequences of these actions.
Luckily, it may not be as big
a problem as we thought. (Detroit Free
Press)

These totally adorable tots got caught on camera catching
some ZZZs in hilarious poses. (MSN)

Learn the lingo, ya noob: HuffPo Canada
rounded up the 10
words and phrases teenagers are using these days. (HuffPo Canada)

A highly controversial campaign
against parent/baby co-sleeping has recently surfaced. Decide for yourself
if the ads are effective or if they cause unnecessary drama. (NY Times)

Tired of your family’s old heirloom holiday cookie recipe? Here are 25 new ones to get you baking. (Washington Post)

Now, we leave you with a nice steamy
mug to warm up on a cold winter day. (Dooce)

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Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

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