Classroom Ideas Archive - December
Looking for new ideas for your classroom? Check out this month's Classroom Ideas for Cultural Awareness Software and Toy Safety.
1) Here are some software examples that will enhance children’s awareness, understanding and respect for others and their culture.
- Dora the Explorer’s World Adventure! takes children around the world to France, Russia, Tanzania and China to organize an International Friendship Day. Learn to say hello in other languages, help Dora dress in the native costumes, check out the scenery of the country, and listen to the music of the 4 countries.
- Travel the World with Timmy and explore France, Argentina, Japan and Kenya. You can play games, sing along with native songs, build a village and learn foreign words, and write a story and hear it read aloud. Windows XP compatible
- Gus Goes to Cyberopolis to explore six different cultures and languages, including Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, German and English. Check out the collections of activities in the aquarium, library, post office, science dome, an international diner, and a subway. Check to make certain this software is Windows XP compatible.
2) At this time of year, many folks are thinking of purchasing toys and other products. Below are some websites with information for you on product safety, toy safety and recent recalls for toys and other children’s products.
- Baby Center has toy safety information in their article Tips for Toy Safety.
- Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety has a Toy Safety Tips pamphlet with tips on choosing safe toys and keeping children safe while they play with toys. There is information on toy storage, ride-on toys, and toys with batteries, latex balloons and choking hazards.
- The National Network for Child Care has an article on Toy Safety by Charles A. Smith of the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service. It contains information on selecting toys, the proper use of toys, 7 toy dangers, toddler toys, toy safety laws, and guides to selecting age appropriate toys.
- Safe Kids USA has an extensive list of children’s product recalls from the past year. There are also lists of recalls from previous years, including child safety seats, food and drug, toys, clothing, safety devices, and juvenile products. You can also sign up to receive monthly email updates on recalls from Safe Kids USA.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension has an article Tips on Toys by Valaya Telep that discusses choosing safe toys for children birth through age 12. For each age group there is a list of safe toys and a list of dangerous toys.
- The Office of Consumer Affairs of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a website with news on product safety and an extensive list of recent recalls for products and toy hazards.
- The CPSC also has a press release CPSC Delivers the ABC’s of Toy Safety concerning safe shopping tips and choosing appropriate toys for children.
- The CPSC also has 14 Toy Safety Publications that can be downloaded from their website.
- Purdue University has information for Safe Toys and Gifts Month on selecting safe toys and good nutrition during the holidays.
- KidsHealth by the Nemours Foundation has an article Choosing Safe Toys by Kate Cronan, MD, with general guidelines for safe toy shopping.
[Posted on December 6, 2007]
