Short & Sweet
Lisa Gipson
Free Digital Citizenship Curriculum Available to Educators By the time kids become teens, 95 percent have a mobile device and spend almost nine hours a day texting, playing games, posting to social media, watching videos, and more. Tweens and teens are navigating a minefield of challenging issues, from sexting and cyberbullying to fake news and addictive design. In response, Common Sense Media launched award-winning digital citizenship curriculum for grades K–12, available to schools for free. The innovative resources were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Each lesson gives students much-needed skills to succeed as digital learners and leaders. Visit www.commonsense .org/education/digital-citizenship for more.
Books We Love There’s nothing like getting cozy with the kids and reading, especially when you have delightful stories that carry a life lesson. Here are two books (for ages 4– 8) that we recommend. Find more Valentine’s Day gift ideas at www.sandiegofamily .com/for-the-kids/kid-tested-toy-product-review.
Planning a Visit to a National Park? Be aware that the government shutdown has impacted our national parks. If you’re planning to visit a national park soon, do some research to find out how the park has been affected and confirm existing reservations. Want to help? The shutdown has had an adverse affect on park maintenance. From overflowing garbage cans to damaged natural resources, there are new and unexpected challenges. When the government reopens, the National Park Service will need financial resources and volunteers. Visit www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog for the latest information about how to lend a hand when parks reopen.
The Littlest Things Give the Loveliest Hugs, written by Mark Sperring and illustrated by Maddie Frost, features baby animals and their adoring parents in a sweet celebration of the parent-child bond.
Pizza from the Heart As part of American Heart Month, all six Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations in San Diego County (Del Mar, La Jolla, San Marcos, Scripps Ranch, Mission Valley and La Mesa) are selling a special heart-shaped, DIY pizza kit during the month of February. Families can purchase the kits to assemble and bake at home. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Heart Association. Pizza kits include pizza dough (original or gluten-free), fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce (pepperoni is an optional addon). Contact your local restaurant for details.
14 • SanDiegofamily.com • February 2019
All Are Welcome, written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman, is a New York Times Bestseller. It celebrates kindness, inclusivity and diversity while following a group of kids at school.
Check out our Valentine’s Day Round-Up at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/ seasonal-happenings to discover sweet recipes, heart-themed crafts, DIY cards and art projects, and fun ideas for parents and families.