Children younger than 2 years old should not watch any television at all. The experts have been saying this for more than a decade, yet a lot of the parents I know think this is such an absurd idea that nobody could possibly comply with it. We did. Almost. We occasionally took Nicholas to restaurants … Continue reading Babies and Television
Think!
What’s inside your smartphone?
Let me begin by saying that, although I do not own a smartphone or any kind of cellphone, I do own an iPad, and I know it contains many of the same components as an iPhone. Let me say also that I am not attacking Apple Computer in particular; the article to which I'm linking … Continue reading What’s inside your smartphone?
Change diapers in bathrooms.
When our child was wearing diapers, Daniel and I found it very easy to stick to this simple rule that teaches the child good habits for the future, simplifies clean-up of your hands and anything else that's soiled, is more courteous to the people around you, minimizes the spread of germs, and is respectful of … Continue reading Change diapers in bathrooms.
FREE computer game: Hall of Heads
My partner Daniel joined a group of computer game programmers who wrote 38 interactive fiction (text adventure) games in tribute to the 20th anniversary of Apollo 18, the They Might Be Giants album with 38 tracks. Each game has the same title as one song on the album. Daniel wrote "Hall of Heads". That is, … Continue reading FREE computer game: Hall of Heads
It’s like we’re related or something.
I have a very good memory for details. The best I can explain it is that I retain a lot of details from my experiences and reading, and they are connected to one another in a massive and complex web that I nonetheless find very easy to follow, moving along from one irrelevant-sounding detail to … Continue reading It’s like we’re related or something.
Traffic Safety for Little Kids
We live on a quiet street, but just around the block is the main street of our neighborhood, which has lots of traffic, parallel parking along both sides, and lots of intersections where right turns on red are allowed. Only some of the intersections have traffic lights and walk signals. There are lots of useful … Continue reading Traffic Safety for Little Kids
7 Novels of Other Worlds on Earth
I like science fiction, but one of my favorite kinds of books is the kind set on Earth, in the present or recent past, but in a subculture that is really vividly described and interesting. A good example is The Chosen by Chaim Potok, one of the Books That Blew My Mind. Here are 7 … Continue reading 7 Novels of Other Worlds on Earth
3 Fun New Games for All Ages!
Well, maybe not all ages, but children as young as 3 can play Seven Dragons. This card game with beautiful art includes modified rules for preschoolers. It's not just for kids, though; it's a great game for parties because it's easy to learn and involves some strategy without being stressfully competitive. Seven Dragons debuted at … Continue reading 3 Fun New Games for All Ages!
Mama, you happy?
My two-year-old repeatedly asked if I was happy. What did he mean, really, and how should I respond?
Becca is featured on Maths Insider!
Last year, I posted a comment on Maths Insider, a site about strategies for teaching mathematics to children. My comment has now been republished in a collection of 7 Savvy Ideas from Maths Insider Readers. There are lots of other helpful ideas there--check it out! Later, I wrote more about the strategies explained in my … Continue reading Becca is featured on Maths Insider!
Grocery Spending for a Family of 3 in 2010
Our average spending per month was $320.90. Yet these official figures from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that, in 2008, a five-year-old child and two parents in their thirties could expect to spend $422.10 per month if they're "thrifty". Our pantry is close to full most of the time, we all eat hearty snacks as well as meals, we make lots of food to share with friends as well as donating to the food pantry, and we're generally very happy with our diet and don't feel we're scrimping. How do we do it on so low a budget?
When life gives you wet socks, make a matching game!
But then Daniel passed me a large paper bag full of yard-sale stuff, and as I took hold of the top edge, the bottom fell out, dumping twenty-seven pairs of wet, dirty, smelly socks onto our kitchen floor. Well, there were enough of them (plus a few other damp garments we found) to make a full washing-machine load. Hot cycle. Oxi-Clean. It was when I was hanging the now clean and fresh-smelling socks on the drying rack that I had a brilliant idea.
Arithmetricks
For this back-to-school edition of Works-for-Me Wednesday, I'd like to share some strategies for learning and doing arithmetic. Some of these I learned in elementary school, and others I picked up later but wish I had known in elementary school! I'm now the data manager of a large social science research study, so I use … Continue reading Arithmetricks
Free computer game!! “The Sand Boxes”
Daniel wrote another computer game for another contest! "The Sand Boxes" is accessed by clicking the icon with a picture of a wooden Inca face (also, the title pops up when you roll your mouse over the icon) on the contest page. This game has graphics and is shorter than Daniel's previous game, "Ka". It … Continue reading Free computer game!! “The Sand Boxes”
Quick Trick for Reading Readiness
I learned to read at age three and have been frustrated that my child hasn't followed in my footsteps, in that regard--he's five-and-a-half, and although he's been acting like he's about to catch on to reading for a couple of years, he still only recognizes a few short words. Any day now, I expect him … Continue reading Quick Trick for Reading Readiness
“Ka” Walkthrough
Back in February, Daniel placed sixth in an interactive fiction game writing contest. His game, "Ka", has now been archived on the site, and the page includes a walkthrough, a series of hints that will help you get through the game. Each hint is hidden under a "spoiler alert" until you click it. This walkthrough … Continue reading “Ka” Walkthrough
How can I ask for what I need?
This week, Works-for-Me Wednesday is a backwards edition: Contributors are asked to post a question about something that isn't working, and readers can then comment on what works for them. Here's an issue that's been perplexing me: Too often, especially when talking to my family (partner Daniel and five-year-old son Nicholas), I realize that a … Continue reading How can I ask for what I need?
Have an Adventure in the Afterlife: Play Ka!
UPDATE: "Ka" now has its own page, including a walkthrough that will help you if you need hints. I recently played the interactive fiction (text adventure) game written by my partner Daniel for the 7th Casual Gameplay Design Competition. It's called "Ka". It's fun, and it's doing well in the contest. Check it out! In … Continue reading Have an Adventure in the Afterlife: Play Ka!
It’s 2010, and I still don’t need a cell phone!
Until last month, I had been carrying a 135-minute phone card in my wallet since October 2000. I didn't take it out because I'd used up the minutes. I took it out because the plastic is so old that it crumbled when I tried to transfer it to the new wallet I got for Christmas! … Continue reading It’s 2010, and I still don’t need a cell phone!
Rambling Sprawl Estates
Due to the troubled economy on Mars, you've decided to break into the Earth pizza market. You've developed an assortment of brands that are nontoxic and nicely inconspicuous...you think. The next step is to test-market your wares in a controlled area where you can closely observe the results. Thus, you have dispatched families of Martians … Continue reading Rambling Sprawl Estates
The Earthling's Handbook 