Television Viewing and Language Development

Click on the post title to view the abstract of the article.
And, this is huge news, but where do I see it? In an information exchange for developmental psychologists under a study conducted by PBS stating that television shows can be educational. Let's stop confusing parents, no TV for children under 4 and call it a day. There is no level of television viewing that is beneficial and we can see from this study that it can be harmful to language development.

So, what have I been saying all along?

Self-regulation Game Predicts Kindergarten Achievement

ScienceDaily (2009-06-09) -- Early childhood development researchers have discovered that a simple, five-minute self-regulation game not only can predict end-of-year achievement in math, literacy and vocabulary, but also was associated with the equivalent of several months of additional learning in kindergarten. ... > read full article

Interesting that this is coming out now. We have been saying the same thing for years, why does it take some educators so long to catch on, children can't learn if they can't focus, focus = self-control = the ability to listen and process what is said. Yup, knew it all along.

I am a PC

Okay, so educators are supposed to be all over the Mac, I know--but! I have to say it, those commercials where they go into the store and buy a PC for under a $1000.00 and get just what they need, well I could be in one. I am on my third laptop in six years and have loved everyone. My current is an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC. I get NetFlix streaming to my PC and watch movies on it all the time. I love indy movies and stuff that no one else in my family cares to watch. I sit in my little office with my remote (yes, the PC comes with a little remote that fits into a small slot on the side of the PC) and just zone out. What a life! So yes, I am a PC.

How Education Kills Creativity

Summer Reading, Good Book, and Paperback Book Swap

Okay, I have added more than a few titles to my reading list, but right now am knee deep in Glass Castles, by Jeannette Walls. An excellent, true life story. Book snob that I am, I try to avoid bestsellers- glad I didn't do that here. Also, everyone must join Paperback Book Swap
http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php
(copy and paste the link above)
It's free. You sign up and list 10 books that you are willing to trade in for new books. Others around the country (world for all I know) do the same. You find a book you want to read and request it. The owner mails it to you and you do the same. Love it!! Totally feeding my reading habits. Talk to you soon.