This week, our favorite family-focused article came from MSNBC, which explained the exciting new program Simple Steps, an interactive, online teaching tool designed to support parents of children with autism. Simple Steps gives parents access to guidance from ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis, the only scientifically validated treatment of autism) experts, real-life footage, teaching animations, a supportive online community and more. To read more about Simple Steps, click here, or see our other picks of the week below. —
The Braces Race: A new trend is emerging in orthodontic circles; parents are bringing their kids in to get braces earlier and earlier (sometimes as young as seven years old) with the hopes that it will solve their dental problems down the line. While this is true in some cases, often times these children still need braces as teens, and this early orthodontic treatment doesn’t save parents time or money. (WSJ)
Make The Grade: The debate over whether or not the
results of teachers’ ratings should be released rages on and sparks discussion
on the question of the ratings system actually being useful. (City Limits)
Looking for a laugh?: Parenting.com counts down 24 ridiculous, completely unnecessary baby products (like a helmet for learning-to-walk toddlers, a time-out standing pad, and creepy infant pillows in the same of giant hands!) (Parenting.com)
Books By Bam: President Obama’s first children’s book, “Of
Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters” hit shelves this past week, and received
glowing reviews from the children at a recent reading at the Brooklyn Children’s
Library. (One seven-year-old girl even called it “inspiring!”) (New York Daily News)
Harry Potter: Now and Forever or Never
More? With the
upcoming release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One” merely
days away, a blogger ponders if the beloved series will fade away for the next
generation or stick around to become part of the canon of kids’ literature.
(Huffington Post)
A Better Birth Plan? A writer shares startling facts about natural birth and hospital births in the United States, and shares whats wrong with our country’s birthing system. (The Huffington Post)
