Are kids reading enough?

Ensuring that kids start reading early on is probably the best thing one can do to support the kids' development. With this thought in mind i thought i'd share a short post between lectures ;-)

• 7 ways to improve reading skills (article)
• 10 ways to improve reading skills (article)
• Starfall reading (website)
• Languages Arts (website)
• Bookhive (family search)
• Reading books for kids aged 6-9 (family search)
  

Do parents' choices in video games really SUCK?

Video games can play an important role in the development of today's kids.
A few advantages of educational games for kids in a nutshell:

• Educational games(when done right) provide a medium that affords an immediate and challenging visual feedback and that within a fun safe virtual environment.
• Several studies/surveys have shown that such games can help kids to develop several learning skills: Cognitive Processing, logical reasoning and decision making - A positive step in the right direction towards a more fulfilled adulthood.
• Help shy kids "come out of their shells", by interacting with other kids to solve problems e.g., word and math puzzle games.

So how do you engage your kids with educational software the next door neighbor's are having so much "fun" with?
The fact remains that kids will not hesitate on the "No Fun = Take no parents alive" policy - They are right 8/10 on the choice of educational games we try to feed them: "Daaaaaad/Moooooom. This game SUCKS !!! Soooooo. When are you getting me that cool Action Blast them all to smithereens game all the kids at school are playing?"
It's definitely no easy task and one that has to be done very subtly and slowly. To make this task a little bit easier, i have taken the time to collect and sort some (downloadable) games. These resources deliver a quality educational experience for the whole family plus the fun factor.
Check out my media space: Kid Game Space

Are you tagfooting?

It's quite seldom to come across technology online that REALLY gives one that "aha moment" and i had to devote this short post on a social bookmarking site called tagfoot.
I'm always "Nit-picking" on User Interfaces(UI) but i feel that the designers of this social bookmarking site have done a great job for a beta - It has definitely enriched my experience online.
I can easily see this social bookmarking tool becoming one, if not the best social bookmarking site online. Check it out on youtube: Can your bookmarks do this?
Tagfoot is currently (Jan 2009) only accepting new members via invite.
I'm always looking for cool people online to share knowlege with and learn from - not just in my field of interest. Isn't that how cool communities and knowledge pools are built :-)? You can join me here if you want. See u there.