For parents, the tragedy at Sandy Hook disturbed us to the core. It wrung out of us honest public discussion over the divisive issues of gun control, mental illness, and video game violence. Did you hear the President’s address at Newtown? It was the most important speech on parenting and community I’ve ever heard. He gave a pure rendering of parents’ vulnerability, the work we do, and our shared concern for all children. Read John Hudak’s nimble summary of the needed response to Sandy Hook. Look over practical resources for helping your kids at this time. Find out what the FTC is doing about protecting kids’ online privacy. Learn more on vocabulary, eBooks, and the Child Well-Being Index. Scan Imagination Soup’s snappy list of learning games!
Parenting
President Obama Speaks at Newtown High School [Video 18 min] - The White House
Talking to Young Children about the Death of Young Children - Ellen Galinsky, Huff Post
Worried Thoughts, Brave Thoughts About Newtown - KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times
Video Games: More Good than Bad for Development? -Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Roots of Action
Be Wary of Video Games Educational Promises - KJ Dell'Antonia, Motherlode, New York Times
FTC Tightens Rules to Protect Kids' Privacy Online - Cecilia Kang, Washington Post
Learning
Kids' Apps and eBooks Can't Teach Them to Read - Lisa Guernsey, Michael Levine, Slate
How to Get a Big Vocabulary - Robert Pondiscio, The Core Knowledge Blog
Vocabulary Declines, With Unspeakable Results - E.D. Hirsch, Wall Street Journal
Can Technology-Rich Learning Close the Participation Gap? - James Paul Gee, JPG Blog
Education
A Response to Sandy Hook - John Hudak, Brookings Institute
Public Divided over What Newtown Signifies - Pew Research Center
Online Petitions Give Parents a New Voice in Education - Julia Lawrence, Education News
How are Kids Doing? It's a Mixed Bag. Ed Results are "Meh" - Sara Mead, Education Week
Philosophy Lessons Key to Schools' SAT Success - The Telegraph
Top 10 Education Policy Wishes - Greg Kaufmann and Elaine Weiss, Washington Post
Resources
Resources for Parents Following Traumatic Events - Cameron Brenchley, Dept. of Education
What's Your Favorite Holiday Christmas Book? - Gretchen Rubin, KJ Dell'Antonia, NYT
5 Ways to Sneak Math Lessons into Baking Christmas Cookies - Patricia Vollmer, GeekMom
Favorite Learning Games Gift Recommendations for Kids - Melissa Taylor, Imagination Soup
6 Useful Apps to Create Short Movies - Educational Technology and Mobile Learning
