Tag Archives: children

LittleBits teaches children how to use microcontrollers

“It is easy to learn how to use these controllers,” says Travis Good, editor at Make magazine. “Even kids can do it.” They sure can with a kit from littleBitslittleBits. On these microprocessor boards, each color is an input, a processor, or an output. The parts snap together and in only one way so that it is impossible for inexperienced users to make a mistake. Kids can prototype systems without worrying that they will damage the parts by lack of knowledge. LittleBits are pricier than the plain Arduino. A starter kit costs almost $90.

littleBits
http://littlebits.cc

Make sure the kids are covered with Insure Kids Now

Insure Kids NowThe Medicaid program, in place since 1965, provides health coverage for children in families at or slightly above the federal poverty level (FPL). The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), brought low or no-cost coverage to families with incomes up to $45,000 for kids up to 19 years old. Families with children can visit this site to see if they qualify for the program, or they can call 1-877-Kids-Now (1-877-543-7669). In Spanish: http://espanol.insurekidsnow.gov/enes/.

Insure Kids Now
http://insurekidsnow.gov

Help find kidnapped children with Wireless AMBER Alerts

Wireless Amber AlertThe first three hours after a child is abducted are crucial to finding him or her. Enter your cell phone number to receive SMS alerts when a child abduction has been reported in your area, based on your zip code. Your eyes and attention may help solve a kid kidnapping.

http://www.wirelessamberalerts.org

Find quality summer camps in the west with help from the Western Association of Independent Camps.

WAICPrivate camps in California and the “Silver States”, i.e. Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, band together in this networking organization. Browse the WAIC lists to find both day and resident camp in these states.

http://www.waic.org

Find free kid’s eBooks in many languages at ICDL: International Children’s Digital Library

ICDLYou won’t find the latest and greatest here. Still, ICDL (International Children’s Digital Library) makes available free of charge classic children’s books and recent ones written in a variety of languages. This could be a boon to libraries with non-English speaking populations.

http://en.childrenslibrary.org

Learn to make healthy, delicious food for kids with Julie Negrin

Julie NegrinAuthor and certified nutritionist Julie Negrin offers healthy recipes for families with kids. Cook up her “On-the-Go Frittata Squares,” eggy bites packed with vegetables and fresh herbs. Negrin writes, “This dish is ideal when you’re on the run, because you can cut it into squares, store them in a baggie, and eat them without utensils!” She also offers cooking and shopping advice. Visit her blog to find how to make healthy family meals with or without a recipe.

http://www.julienegrin.com/recipes.html

Safekids.com offers practical tips for managing kids and the web.

SafeKidsSyndicated columnist Larry Magid offers tips for kids and parents to help them avoid harm while using the Web. He writes, “In this Web 2.0 world, kids aren’t just consuming media, they’re creating it and they have collectively embraced social media as a part of their lives. They don’t go online; they are online–whether on a PC, a mobile device, a gaming console, or whatever comes next.” Magid points out that the biggest online threats to kids come from themselves, when they disclose too much information, and their peers, who may bully them.
http://www.safekids.com