) November 7, 2008 -- BellyLaf a consumer products company designing FUNctional and innovative products for parents and children today announced that Grippees™ and MiniMitts™ eco-friendly wash mitts for the bath were awarded the prestigious iParenting Media Awards "Greatest Products of 2008" for baby care. Award-winning products were selected based on their fun value, product quality, ease of use, play duration, educational nature and uniqueness, among other criteria.

Digital Photo Books selected from hundreds of entries as Top Product, "Just for Moms" (And Dads). Multiply (http://multiply.com) Photo Books have been recognized as a winner of the iParenting Media Awards Outstanding Products of 2009. Multiply's Photo Books, voted an outstanding product "Just for Moms" (and Dads), was among a variety of products to be recognized, including items ranging from high-tech toys, safety gear and educational software to helpful books, audio CDs and Web sites. Award-winning products were selected based on their fun value, product quality, ease of use, play duration, educational nature and uniqueness, among other criteria. (PRWeb Sep 23, 2009)

) January 7, 2009 -- 2008 was a year of honors and awards for excellence in the education, parenting and technology communities for Kidspiration 3, the newest member of Inspiration Software's® family of award-winning visual learning software tools. Since its launch in early February last year, the visual learning software for young learners earned 10 prestigious awards across all three industries. Kidspiration® 3 supports students in kindergarten through fifth grade as they strengthen reading and writing skills, build conceptual understanding in math and develop thinking skills across the curriculum.

) February 24, 2009 -- With a goal to guide families back into state and national parks systems, community parks or just beyond their backdoors--Bay Area-based IAGmedia, Inc delivers Let's Go Chipper (tm) "Into the Great Outdoors," a program to help reconnect kids and families with nature and the environment.

) April 30, 2009 -- When Holly Palm and her son, Chase, set out to create a new product that would encourage family time and creative exercise, they knew that they'd struck gold when parents, teachers and child care providers began praising their product. Now, they have a new goal. Encourage children to tap into their natural creativity, create a story and win cash for it.

"The Legend of the Dough" is an anchor point for our product. My sons came up with the idea themselves and we had a professional writer expand it and clean it up. Now it's time for other kids to have their chance to add to the story," says Holly Palm, creator of Yohoho Dough.

) August 18, 2009 -- With the first day of school coming up, Parents.com is featuring everything on parents' back to school check lists. The website includes ideas about how not to have the jitters when getting ready for school on the first day, solutions for managing morning madness, lists of must-have supplies for the first day and many more helpful back to school tips.

Best backpacks

) October 9, 2008 -- The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) today released a startling data compilation indicating the extent to which Internet sites - particularly social networking sites that post user-generated content - can spread misinformation and facilitate dangerous behaviors among teens, tweens, and younger children. These behaviors can include drug and alcohol use, self-mutilation, extreme violence, and anorexia and other eating disorders.

) September 15, 2009 -- New KidRex™ search engine (www.kidrex.org) powered by Google Custom Search™ provides parents and teachers with a hassle-free way to keep kids safe online by blocking sexually explicit content, while emphasizing fun and educational, kid-related webpages from across the entire web.

www.kidrex.org

A KidRex search for "Space", for example, pulls up "SpaceKids.com", followed by "NASA Kid's Club" and "KidsAstronomy.com", whereas a search for "Sex" returns only a message of "Oops! Try again", written in crayon.

) December 9, 2008 -- etendi.com announced today that it has launched etendi BRIDGE, an easy-to-use, interactive, safe and secure web-based meeting place that bridges the gap when parents and kids can't be together. Developed specifically for non-custodial divorced parents or co-parenting situations, grandparents, military families, or the heavy business traveler, etendi BRIDGE allows family members to stay connected by providing a single place for them to be together online. Features include live video phone calling, shared spaces for photos, videos and documents, personal notes, an interactive white board, and a shared calendar.

) February 24, 2009 -- For those parents and educators struggling to instill the love of reading in their kids, there is a new solution. eBooks4kidz, a UK-based company, is launching Wizz-e.com. Wizz-e.com produces high quality audio eBooks for kids aged 3 to 8.

The business was created after the CEO and co-founder, Jeanette McLeod, struggled to find quality eBooks online for her own kids. "It was frustrating to search for quality materials online to help my kids read, only to come up empty. They are the technology generation! This is how they learn best," says Mrs. McLeod.

) December 4, 2008 -- The KIDZARONI.com project began when Kim Shapiro, Internet industry professional turned stay-at-home mom, began searching for a website where her daughter could chat and email with friends and create her own personal page in a totally safe online environment. The ones she found for young children lacked the age appropriate content component necessary to keep elementary age kids engaged, and other sites didn’t offer the parent-monitored safety component needed for kids too young for Facebook and MySpace.

GPS Connect starts a "Your Kids' Safety is in Your Hands" program. The goal of the program is to let parents/guardian keep an eye on their kids in the most unobtrusive fashion possible.

) October 3, 2009 -- Parents magazine and Parents.com have just launched iPlay'n Learn, a unique new iPhone application for kids that features fun quizzes and flash cards for babies, toddlers and children. Each of the activities of the interactive iPhone App for kids keeps preschoolers laughing while learning about letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Audio messages and exciting animations such as exploding fireworks, chugging trains, and skyward-bound rocket ships keep kids engaged and deliver positive reinforcement, helping moms and dads raise happy, healthy kids,

Parents.com launches iPhone App for kids

) September 15, 2008 -- Super Fun Science has just launched its new website, which bridges the gap between the classroom and the home in a fun way by allowing students to learn more about kids science from their own home computer.

Super Fun Science (www.superfunscience.com) realized that kids science lessons were often taught in a way that was not fun for students. Because of that, children have not been able to learn at the rate that was expected of them. That has led to low self esteem, and many children have thought that the subject was too difficult to master.

) October 27, 2009 -- SmartyRents.com is a new online video game rental company that features LeapFrog and VTech educational video games. One of the most impressive services SmartyRents provides for parents is the ability to search for games by a specific educational skill. For example, if a child is struggling with addition, parents can search for only those games that address addition. Parents can search among 150 educational skills to select key skills pertinent to their child's age and learning level.

) January 21, 2009 -- Your Family magazine editor-in-chief and NSPCC parenting advisor, Eileen Hayes, explains that starting a new term can be a very stressful time for children as well as their parents, particularly after the excitement of Christmas and New Year celebrations. Through the online parental advice magazine, Your Family, Eileen encourages parents to establish good lifestyle habits to help build structure and deal with stressful times for children, such as going back to school and their exams.

) September 11, 2009 -- ProjectExplorer.org can add another stamp to their virtual passport. The creative team behind ProjectExplorer.org's online global travel adventures has won a 2009 Parents' Choice Gold Award for Outstanding Web Programming.

ProjectExplorer.org producers Jenny M Buccos and Ilana Fayerman

Founded in 2003, ProjectExplorer.org hosts over 160 free films aimed at cultivating cross-cultural understanding among students.

) October 27, 2009 -- kidthing (www.kidthing.com) unveiled today its free downloadable e-reader app that lets kids read, mix, personalize and share their favorite digital books, games and activities to friends and family. Currently in beta, the new kidthing app is slated for public release this November - featuring e-books from top brands and publishers including Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Penguin Young Readers Group, HarperCollins, Garfield, and more.

kidthing - read an e-book

) September 1, 2009 -- Continually on the search to discover products that improve the quality of family life, PTPA Media - a company that awards their industry Renowned Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal - is proud to announce the parenting product winners for Fall 2009.

PTPA Media Inc. Seal of Approval

A total of 34 products earned the highly sought-after award because after being tested by the parent evaluators they proved to be quality products worthy of a parents recommendation.

) July 29, 2009 -- Cell-phone-plans.net has re-launched to include new and improved interactive features and information, including a daily blog, cell phone reviews, lively forums, and a comprehensive Cell Phone Comparison tool. Cell-phone-plans.net is a one-stop source for everything, and anything, related to cell phones and mobile devices.

) June 20, 2009 -- Cell-phone-plans.net announces free activation on all Verizon and AT&T service plans, beginning this Father's Day Weekend. Customers can save nearly $150 on new accounts with Verizon or AT&T, the two most advanced and reliable cell phone service providers in the nation.

) September 30, 2009 -- WanderTot.com is the place to go for the latest family travel deals, the best places to travel with kids, the funniest family vacation stories and the most helpful tips for traveling with kids.

WanderTot.com - Adventures in Traveling with Kids

) June 30, 2009 -- Poptropica, the Web's fastest growing virtual world for kids, has entered Quantcast.com's list of top 300 Web sites, based on monthly visitors. Less than two years old, the safe online environment for fun and learning recently secured the 274th slot on the online audience measurement firm's list. Poptropica users have created more than 120 million online characters who explore and learn on the site's nine virtual islands.

) January 7, 2009 -- Teen Expert and author Annie Fox will be in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration and is available for interviews live from Washington or her hotels in Baltimore and Virginia. She'll also be blogging at www.blog.anniefox.com daily with news from the inauguration and tips for kids wishing to follow in the president-elect's historic footsteps.

"Be Confident in Who You Are" by Annie Fox

) February 21, 2009 -- The newest shock to hit the parental system is the recent discovery of a new teenage trend. "Sexting" is the term used to describe the act of teenagers sending naked photos of themselves to significant others, friends, and sometimes casual acquaintances, via cell phone text messaging. These messages are sent, received and forwarded on a daily basis across the nation, and parents are just now finding out.

) October 1, 2009 -- Delivering on its promise to help moms and dads raise happy, healthy kids, Parents Magazine has just launched a unique new iPhone application. The Parents iPlay 'n Learn features fun quizzes, tracing programs, and flash cards for babies, toddlers, and kids. Each of the activities of the interactive iPhone App keeps preschool children laughing while learning about letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Audio messages and exciting animations such as exploding fireworks, chugging trains, and skyward-bound rocket ships keep kids engaged and deliver positive reinforcement.

Parents Magazine Launches iPhone App

) October 1, 2009 -- Delivering on its promise to help moms and dads raise happy, healthy kids, Parents Magazine has just launched a unique new iPhone application. The Parents iPlay 'n Learn features fun quizzes, tracing programs, and flash cards for babies, toddlers, and kids. Each of the activities of the interactive iPhone App keeps preschool children laughing while learning about letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Audio messages and exciting animations such as exploding fireworks, chugging trains, and skyward-bound rocket ships keep kids engaged and deliver positive reinforcement.

Parents Magazine Launches iPhone App

) October 27, 2009 -- www.AblePlay.org reviews toys from the marketplace and evaluates them based on their relevance and benefits to children with special needs.

It may surprise parents to learn that the benefits of play could extend beyond fun and games.

According to Pediatrics in Review, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, play "offers children important developmental benefits and parents the opportunity to fully engage with their children."

) December 18, 2008 -- GuardChild introduces the first One-Stop Website, www.GuardChild.com that provides parents with the fundamental resources for protecting children from sexual predators and other online dangers.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 64% of all teens admit to engaging in online activities they wouldn't want their parents to know about. This behavior puts children and their families at risk, which is why Michael Cafarelli has created GuardChild, a unique, holistic website that fuses the best parental control software and educational resources, enabling parents to minimize that risk.

) June 11, 2009 -- From cyberbullying and violent video games to social networking and sexting, parents are overwhelmed by the new media environment and how it affects their children. To help parents navigate this new and changing landscape, the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH) at Children's Hospital Boston is launching Ask the Mediatrician .

) February 25, 2009 -- With the economy in its current recession mode, American families are looking for ways to cut back on spending. Things like private lessons and supplemental enrichment activities for the kids are being trimmed from the family budget. Increasingly, parents are being forced to seek out low-cost ways to keep children entertained and learning at the same time. The new buzz word for that is "edu-tainment," and KidzClix.net delivers just that.

KidzClix.net Cartoon Characters

Learning + Fun

) June 25, 2009 -- Glubble® (www.glubble.com), the leading online family browser and social network for families with children under 12, has appointed Alexander van Elsas as its CEO. Alexander, former COO of the company, takes over the position from Willem-Jan Schutte, one of the original founders of Glubble. Willem-Jan remains member of the non-executive board. With the appointment of Alexander van Elsas as CEO, Glubble also secures a new funding round of $1 million.

www.glubble.com

) September 14, 2009 -- Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, has been awarded the influential PTPA Media Inc's Seal of Approval for excellence in parenting products for the Parrot Minikit Chic, a portable Bluetooth hands-free kit, and the Zikmu Parrot wireless Bluetooth speakers designed by Philippe Starck.

PTPA Media Inc. (Parent Tested Parent Approved) has announced the winners of the 2009 Fall Product Call for the best in Family products. The Seal of Approval has been awarded to a variety of companies in many categories ranging from electronics, innovative children's products, games, toys etc.

) June 11, 2009 -- The summer months are here and that means kids will be spending more time on the family computers. It also means that the chances of something happening to your kids increases. But with parents busier than ever doing whatever then can to make ends meet, they aren't always there to make sure their kids are using the internet safely.

Protect your kids with PC Pandora

Wii is the new tread for kids, teens, and even adults that miss the fun days as a child. This exciting new gaming system helps the activity level in children. When children are sitting and not moving around much, they are at risk of overweight and other health problems related to being overweight. This new gaming system Wii is a great way to get up off the couch and move around without taking your eyes off the TV.
Parents love the idea of getting their children active. Buying a Wii gaming system maybe the way to achieve that. Games that are played on the Wii have a wide range. There are games for younger one and even more exciting there are games for us adult. This also helps us parents to get involved with our children. Or even grandparents can get involved.

) July 6, 2009 -- IntegraScan today released the results of background checks conducted by youth organizations participating in the IntegraScan Safe Kids Program. The startling results highlight the imperative need for greater security on the part of youth organizations and watchfulness on the part of parents and youth, alike.

According to sources, the $235,000 in free background checks given away to youth organizations in the past two weeks has resulted in the identification of at least one convicted rapist working with youth, as well as one person convicted of child abuse.

) February 12, 2009 -- Trekaroo announces the launch of the first trip planning website that is designed specifically to help parents overcome the stress of traveling with kids. Trekaroo ( http://www.trekaroo.com ) takes intuitive tools and combines them with the power of a fast-growing, grassroots community of moms and dads. Now, any parent can join Trekaroo to revolutionize the way that families plan their trips.

) April 22, 2009 -- Is foul language filtering the next parental control for TV? An FCC request for comments on new advanced parental controls prompted nearly 10,000 comments specifically requesting the foul language filtering technology from TVGuardian. This advanced technology had been offered for free to leading cable and satellite providers but was rejected, leading the company to now turn to Washington.

) September 29, 2009 -- Cellular Sales, the nation's largest Verizon Wireless retailer, has joined forces with Cell Phones for Soldiers at many of its stores in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nationwide nonprofit group that distributes free telephone calling cards to U.S. troops serving overseas.

A drop box for Cell Phones for Soldiers at a Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless store.