Are your kids interested in the Web? Here's a place that lists lots of kid-friendly sites, as well as sites for parents and caregivers. 700+ Great Sites is set up like a directory, and is divided into categories and subcategories like art, animals, music, dinosaurs, space, etc. Find out where to learn about ancient Greece, or where to build a Web monster—it's fun just to click around and see all the cool sites that are out there!

Summer Safety

Rules to live by: http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/news2/summer.safety.list.t.p.k12.html

Music

Music to dance to at or listen to or just to find out what is available:http://www.childrensmusic.org/

The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in March was host to the World Premiere of Sir Douglas Fir, a musical story about a fir tree who becomes something else. The show was taped and broadcast on GPTV. You can read about the book and CD or order your own copy at: http://www.sirdouglasfir.com/

Fun Things to Do

Looking for fun things to do with the kids this spring? Access Atlanta has a great section called Kids Calendar. It's devoted exclusively to kids' activities and events, including puppet shows, plays, museum exhibits, zoo events, movies and more. Although it's not as complete as some of the calendars in the kids' magazines, this is a good place to look up specific events at local theaters, museums, Center for Puppetry Arts, etc.

Check out the Access Atlanta Kids Calendar at
http://www.accessatlanta.com/events/guides/kids.html

Raising Kids & Working Parents

Where do you go to read about how to handle tough questions with kids? Or maybe for some sympathy on knowing what its like with two working parents. I go to the online newpaper Salon.com.

Located at http://www.salon.com/

It has a section called "Life" (Note: the original name for the section was "Mothers Who Think", which attracted me to read the articles). One recent article was a story about the closing of a childcare center. On the "Table Talk" section, you can read questions and many answers to life's issues including raising children. Check it out!

Kids' Health Resources

If you want more info about childhood illnesses, treatments, first aid/home care tips, and well-child tips, check out the web site for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (formerly known as Egleston Hospital) at http://www.choa.org/library/.

KidsHealth offers health-related articles and advice for parents, kids, and teens. Use the nifty (and speedy) search feature to instantly display helpful info about your topic. Check it out at http://www.kidshealth.org/.

Fun Crafts

Want some fun crafts to make with your kids? Have suggestions for others? Visit http://www.kidsdomain.com/ for all sorts of activities, on the computer and off! Make a train from candy, snowman from boxes, and a mitten bookmark clip—just to name a few crafts. Great suggestions from parents just like you.

What Makes a Good Toy?

This interesting site compiled by "Dr. Toy" (Dr. Stevanne Auerbach) has all the answers: http://www.drtoy.com/drtoy/

Click "Dr. Toy's Rx for Play" to see a list of more than 50 very helpful articles about age-appropriate toys, educational toys, best travel toys, and much, much more!

P.S. Don't be put off by the toy company ads; the info in the site seems factual and fairly unbiased.

What Books are Best for My Child?

The American Library Association also has a site of awards, but theirs includes the best books, recordings, computer software, videos, and websites at: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awards.html

Kids' Product Safety Recalls

The most reliable source for kids' product recalls is the Consumer Product Safety Commission The list is very thorough, but difficult to skim unless you already know what you're looking for: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

The National Safe Kids Campaign lists safety tips and articles, recalls, car seat info, etc. Check it out at this url: www.safekids.org

Suggest a Site
If you know of a site that other parents might like to know about, send an email to phoenixadmin@thephoenixschool.com .