News You Can Use
by Alexi Wilbourn
Landmarks for Atlanta’s LEGOLAND
Atlanta’s “Miniland” will be similar to London’s, pictured above.
Just Say “Hold the Fries” PARENTS CAN LESSEN the impact of unhealthy food commercials and influence their kids to make healthier food decisions, according to a study from the Texas A&M International University. Two cartoons were shown to 75 children ages 3-5. Between the shows, some kids were shown a french fries commercial, while others watched another commercials for apple slices with dipping sauce. When given the choice, 71 percent of children who watched the fries commercial (and whose parents gave no opinion of the food choices) chose a coupon for the french fries. Of the children watching the fries commercial whose parents promoted the apple slices, only 55 percent chose the coupon for fries.
THE VOTES ARE IN. These Atlanta icons will be featured in the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta at Phipps Plaza: Bank of America building, Fox Theatre, Georgia Dome, Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, King and Queen Towers (aka the Concourse Towers in Sandy Springs), Stone Mountain, the Varsity restaurant, Turner Field and World of Coca-Cola. These 10 landmarks were chosen by Atlanta-area LEGO fans on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center website. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, geared for ages 3 to 10, is scheduled to open in April 2012 and will be the third location for LEGO fun in the U.S. The other two are in Carlsbad, California, and Winter Haven, Florida. LEGO fans will find Atlanta’s on the third level of the Phipps shopping mall, next to the AMC movie theaters. The Atlanta version, costing $15 million, will be a 30,000-square-foot interactive area, featuring the Miniland exhibit (with the smaller replicas of Atlanta landmarks), play areas, a 4D cinema, classes and a party room. The Phipps Plaza location will also have interactive rides: the pedal-powered Merlin’s Apprentice, and Kingdom Quest, a laser ride in a darkened room. Adult admission will be $19, ages 3-12 will cost $15, and ages 2 and younger will be free. Annual passes will be available, as will early-bird discounts for booking tickets online.
Top U.S. Baby Names of 2011
Boys: Aiden
Girls: Sophia
Jackson
Emma
Mason
Isabella
Liam
Olivia
Jacob
Ava
Jayden
Lily
Ethan
Chloe
Noah
Madison
Lucas
Emily
Logan
Abigail
Writing and Art Contests KIDS AGES 5-18 have the chance to win $25 and a book that includes their own work. The “Celebration of Writers” contest sponsored by Creative Communications asks students to submit an original essay, poem or work of art. Deadlines: essay contest, Feb. 15; art contest, April 3; poetry contest, April 12. For more information, visit poeticpower.com for the writing contests and celebratingart.com for the art contest.
Websites Worth Visiting n childrenshospitalblog.org This pediatric blog, called Thriving, is published by Children’s Hospital Boston. The site houses a collection of articles on everything from child vegetarianism to the age at which cellphones are appropriate to how to discuss difficult topics. Parents will find a wealth of resources for handling family issues and other subjects.
14 Atlanta Parent January 2012
n liv2bgirl.com Feel safer about young girls using social networking. This site, designed for girls ages 8-14, is partnered with the National Bullying Prevention Center. Girls can blog, connect with friends in the chat feature, and report any negative behavior on the site.
www.atlantaparent.com