If you have young children, you need these electrical outlet safety caps.  If you care about children, you need to get these into the hands of everyone who does have small kids. Go to Safety Caps and check it out.

There! 

This is the first time I have ever made a blanket product recommendation so boldly. Yes, I did look and test out the samples. They are terrific. These caps are too large for children - adults for that matter -could swallow . . . and choke on.

Its that simple. Everyone can easily protect all children both from electrical outlet dangers and choking hazards with these simple, easy-to-use phenominal caps.

You can help too, spread the word along with myself and others.

Tell Oprah and Ellen, too! Use these links for quick notes:
Email Ellen Here
Email Oprah Here

I was poking around the newswire today and found a great story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com.

Daniel Vasquez has a great story about another MAP organization (Mother Against Predators), this one in Coral Springs, Florida. A Mom and Daughter team, fed up with the predator that trapped them online, are fighting back.

The predator, currently a fugitive, used the “I’m your only friend in the world,” trick and it worked on the then 12 year old. Why wouldn’t it? He drove a wedge between the girl and her father, the family split-method that is just oh, too effective.

Hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard is easy for child predators. The problem online is huge and the predators, the real problem, hang out where the kids are.

There are MAPS all over the country, in many states. The women who start them are our heroines. Grassroot movements in America are very powerful and we support them every step of the way. All you have to do is a simple Google search for “Mothers Against Predators” to find the one in your area. Do it, send them a short email of support. Ask them how you can help.

Teach your kids the basics of online safety. Take a look at eChild Safety for a free Internet Safety Toolkit.

Use child safety education as one of the topics to help you avoid “summer slide,” that brain drain your kids typically go through during summer vacation while out of school.

Research shows that many students fall more than two months behind in math over the summer, and low-income children fall behind two months in reading while middle-income kids make slight gains. Johns Hopkins University researchers recently found that 65 percent of the achievement gap between poor and more advantaged children is due to unequal summer learning experiences during elementary school years.

A recent Ohio State University study shows children also gain as much weight during the summer as they do during the entire school year. The problem is worse for African-American and Hispanic kids, and for those already overweight.

Summer should be fun and memorable, but parents shouldn’t let it be a break from learning. High-quality summer learning opportunities are fun and engaging for kids, while keeping them healthy, safe and on track in school.

What Parents Can Do To Keep Kids Sharp Over The Summer
Locate a summer program. High-quality summer camps and programs exist in almost every price range. Camps offered by schools, recreation centers, universities, and community-based organizations often have an educational or enrichment focus.

Visit the library. Find out what interests your child and select books on that subject. Participate in free library summer programs and make time to read every day.

Take educational trips. These can be low-cost visits to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers. Plan vacations with educational themes.

Practice math daily. Measure items around the house or yard. Track daily temperatures. Add and subtract at the grocery store. Learn fractions while cooking.

Play outside. Limit TV and video game time during summer, just as during the school year. Intense physical activity and exercise contribute to healthy development.

Do good deeds. Students learn better and “act out” less when they participate in activities that help them develop emotionally, such as community service.

Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure and limits. The key is providing a balance and keeping kids engaged.

Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level. Preview concepts and materials over the summer.

What Parents Should Look for in Quality Summer Programs
Low student-to-staff ratios.

Positive interaction between kids and caring adults.

High-interest, engaging activities.

Balanced programming with daily opportunities for reading, math, enrichment and recreation.

A safe, structured learning environment.

Founded in 1992, the Center for Summer Learning works to expand summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth as a strategy for closing the achievement gap.

For more information, visit The Summer Learning Institute.