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Article by Carla Thorton

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

The clunky name aside, KidzClix is one impressive new “edu-tainment” site for tween-somethings. Even sans the social networking tools that are still under development, the site offers wonderful entertainment and educational features both boys and girls can love. The engaging content doesn’t talk down to kids. The graphics, which range from pretty sepia-toned storybooks with turning pages to Monsters, Inc-quality characters, is simply enchanting. Quirky games and videos make the dullest subjects, such as recycling, fun to learn about. Even the theme song rocks.

The site isn’t perfect. The main screen’s tiny buttons and typefaces are almost impossible to read and switching between games is way too hard. More back buttons, please. But with a few tweaks, KidzClix could soon be giving other pre-teen social networking sites like ZulaWorld and Miss O & Friends a run for their money.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Many games and activities are free. Full access, including social networking tools (not yet available in September 2009), costs $5.95 a month, or $14.99 for three months, or $59.95 for 12 months.

WHAT FAMILIES CAN TALK ABOUT

KidzClix profiles kids who are making a positive difference in their communities. For instance, a 12-year-old girl gives the money she makes from selling customized flip-flops to local charities. How might kids use their own special talents or interests to make the world a better place?

KidzClix gives kids a taste of art, science, math, environment preservation and lots of other disciplines. Which games are the most fun? Discuss the kinds of careers that require these different types of specialized knowledge.

What is the most popular candy for trick-or-treat?

Click on the comic to see a larger view and see the answer.

Happy trick or treating! Here’s a treat you will love making… or be turned into a frog.

Here is a list of links to articles on the flu season, swine flu, and swine flu hype:

• Protect Kids from Swine Flu on Halloween; well that’s the title - Some nice, simple tips on things like hand washing as it relates to Halloween time that is upon us. Making it a good time to bring up the subject of Swine Flu and the flu in general.

• 12 Tips to Prevent Colds and Flus - Very good (common sense sometimes) tips form www.webmd.com. It’s mostly basic, but always good to go over again.

• A Parent’s Guide to N1H1 - From Kids Health website, it answers the questions you have about Swine Flu.

• Prevent Swine Flu for Special Needs Children - If your child has special needs (ie. disabled), then this short article may be able to help with some good ideas.

• Red Cross’ Offers Flu Prevention Tips - “As parents and teachers know, children have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses at school. As the number of swine flu (H1N1 Flu Outbreak) cases increases in the U.S., it becomes even more important to teach kids how to stay healthy.”

• From ehow.com - Flu Basics - Synopsis through different stages of flu: Symptoms, Duration, Treatment, Transmission, Prevention

• Help Prevent the Flu at School - “Children are especially vulnerable to infection by viruses, such as the H1N1 virus, which is also known as the swine flu. There are many different techniques that can help kids to avoid getting infected by the swine flu at school.”

• Teach Kids How to Avoid Germs - There is also a video! Washing your hands after many activities is important for kids at school and at home.

• The Science and Ignorance of the Swine Flu Hype - “Ignorance is bred from fear. In this case, the fear-inducing hype of dying from swine flu and the fear of being first in line to get the untested vaccine are contented partners at the dance. ”

Here’s a link to the animation classic: www.vidiLife.com - enjoy : )

Peanuts’ trick-or-treaters




“I got a rock….” (again… good ole Charlie Brown)




Charlie Brown and Snoopy Halloween Image

How many pounds of candy corn are produced in a year? It is enough to encircle the moon 4 times if laid end to end.

Click the comic to see a larger view and find out the answer.

Some of our employees at KidzClix also teach classes to children for The Center for Gifted in Illinois 4 times a year. It’s a great way to stay involved with education for kids in K - 11th grade. The Center for Gifted offers innovative and creative courses for bright and talented youth. One of the classes taught is a game design course that uses the free online software called Scratch. If any kids out there in cyberspace would like to try their hand at creating simple to elaborate games for other kids to play online for free, then we recommend visiting the Scratch website and giving it a try. It’s tons of fun and easy for kids ages 8yrs and up to learn.

Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions: info@kidzclix.net. Maybe one day you’ll be creating awesome games and activities for KidzClix.net!!!

We are always searching and learning about online safety. We came across this webpage that does an excellent job of summing up parent guidelines for their child’s online experience:

Family Internet from About.com

It is written by Christ Matte from About.com.

The basic points that the article covers are:

• Talk to your children - (Keep an open discussion about the Internet, teach them about it)

• Set guidelines - (set rules for online usage)

• Follow through - (stick with your rules for online usage)

• Pay attention - (See what your child is doing online when they are online)

• Read more about it - (Be ready to answer all questions from your child)

• Join the fun - (Join the same sites your child joins)

• Use available technology - (learn about Internet filters, firewalls, and monitoring software)

• Do a little sleuthing - (use browser history, cache, and cookies to monitor your child)

• Watch for warning signals - (look for any changes in a child’s personality or behavior)

• Know when to say “No” - (don’t let your child spend too much time online)

Have fun, but be safe! : )