The Tragedy in America

Ident-A-Kid is reaching out to schools and organizations in response to the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

December 17, 2012 Dear Parents and School Administrators, As CEO of the Nation's largest child safety program and more importantly, the father of three elementary age children, I was absolutely sickened by the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. The picture of the distressed young lady speaks volumes of all our feelings. My heart and prayers go out to all of the victims' families of this horrendous crime. One of the most important things a school administrator can do during any emergency situation is to contact parents. Whether it's giving them specific instructions, status updates, or just "all is OK", instant communication is vital. In an effort to do our part to help schools enhance campus security, we are donating a one year subscription to our ParentAlert system. ParentAlert is an internet-based notification system allowing schools to contact their parents through text and email. Notifications can be sent to parents, staff and others simultaneously from a PC or even a smartphone. Any school, daycare or church can take advantage of this by contacting us prior to the end of the year. If your school already has a notification system, please pass this information on to another school, daycare or church you know. To get started just call our office at 800-890-1000 and choose option 1. Thanks you for allowing us to help you make our schools a safer place. Sincerely, Rick Hagan CEO, Ident-A-Kid Services of America Ident-A-Kid Services of America, Inc. 2810 Scherer Drive N., Suite 100 St. Petersburg, FL 33716 800-890-1000 www.identakid.com

Chicken Soup Blues

 

Three At Home Helpers for Parents

Cold and flu season can be tough on little sprouts . . . and big ones too! Whether your little one is nursing a sniffle or an all-out winter bug attack, read on to find three simple at home helpers for making their sick days (and yours) pass by a whole lot faster.

How to Get Your Child Ready for A Test

 

A big test can be nerve racking for both children and their parents. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can help your child be successful in preparing for a test.

Kite Making

 

Take flying a kite up a notch by making your own kite!  Kids of all ages can participate in this activity. Younger children enjoy adding their own designs to their kite, while older children can practice their measuring skills by assembling their own kite.

Homemade Turkey Center Piece

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and with that comes the holiday vacation for your kids. Why not keep them busy this thanksgiving with a craft that the whole family will love?

Great Moblie Apps for Kids

Although you probably think your tablets and smart phones are great devices for communicating or surfing the web, your children know their real purpose — a killer game console. Especially those times when you’re sitting in gridlocked traffic or waiting on a slow-poke waiter to bring you a bowl of buttered noodles in a restaurant, you’re definitely going to end up handing off whatever mobile device you have on hand. So, not only will these fun apps assist in preserving your sanity, but your kids may even become sneakily educated in the process:

Melted Crayon Art

This popular DIY project creates a colorful canvas that looks great in your child’s room or anywhere in the house. Your child will enjoy picking out the colors and watching them melt down the canvas.

Math, what for?

 

Basic math skills are essential for paying bills, buying merchandise, and going to the grocery store. Often times, kids don't make the connection between math problems in school and math in the real world. You can help make math knowledge more important for your children by showing them everyday math skills.

Cyberbullying - Keep Your Kids Safe

 

Bullying is nothing new. However, the ways a bully can attack his or her prey are ever changing. With each new advancement in technology, the bullies of the world find new and improved ways to taunt and hurt their victims.

ADDing Up The Signs

Every parent wants their children to enjoy healthy and happy lifestyles. If a child falls ill, it’s automatic that the parents will want them quickly diagnosed and set on the road to swift recovery. But what if the child’s symptoms are similar, if not identical, to characteristics displayed by every kid? This is the very conundrum facing anyone who feels his or her child might have ADHD.

Childhood Learning Disabilities

Every child struggles from time to time at school; they all linger a little too long on homework sometimes, and everyone has failed a test or two. When this happens more often than not, you will probably grow very concerned and start to question your child's ability. You may suspects your child has some sort of learning disability or you may be a parent of a child already diagnosed. Regardless of whether your child has a verified condition or you just suspect that your child is struggling it can feel like a hopeless situation. It may be difficult to imagine, but it is possible to help your child feel normal; but, it's vital to stop ignoring the situation and seek help.

How to Get Your Child Ready for Back-to-School

As Labor Day approaches, the first day of school and the shift back to the regular routine is on every parent’s mind. Transitioning your child from the easy days of summer to spending most of their day in the classroom can be a stressful experience. Read our tips to learn how you can make the back-to-school transition easier on both you and your child.

Benefits of Family Dinners

With everyone always being on the go, it can seem very difficult to actually sit down and have a family dinner on a regular basis. However, the benefits of having a sit-down dinner with the whole family regularly are clear. Research has shown that family dinners benefit teenagers the most, though this is the age at which family dinners occur less frequently.

Money Saving Back-to-School Shopping Tips

Every parent knows how expensive back-to-school can be, especially when your kids are seeking out trendy clothing and school supplies. Follow our money saving back-to-school shopping tips to keep more money in your pocket.

Summer time treats

As the summer months are approaching, so is the HEAT! Don't let kids fool you into giving them double fudge chocolate chip ice cream every day when there are plenty of healthy frozen treats they will enjoy eating and making. Read more.

One great way to celebrate the fourth of July is to serve a patriotic treat at your picnic or BBQ. Many of these treats are easy enough that your kids can help make them.

Fun Exercise Options for Kids

The U.S. Government’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that children aged 5-10 get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. However, 74% of children in this age group are not meeting this recommendation. Below are some fun ways to get your kids active.

Pool Alarms

In Florida, Arizona, California and more than a dozen other states, childhood drowning accidents are a top cause of fatality for kids under the age of 5 years. If you’re a parent who owns a residential swimming pool, then a swimming pool alarm is an essential form of protection that needs to be installed in your backyard oasis to lower the potential of such aforementioned accidents. With so many pool alarms on the market though, it may be difficult for pool owners to choose.

Life Jacket Safety

Summertime is fast approaching, and there’s no better activity for family bonding than a day of boating. Choosing the correct personal flotation device (PFD) for your child will likely be the best way to ensure a good, safe time on the water.

Father's Day Crafts

There are few things more precious than receiving a homemade gift from your little one. Here are some creative craft ideas specially designed as presents for Dad.

Summer Camps

It's never too early to be thinking about how to occupy your child this summer. Whether is an academic, sports, or religious camp, there is a summer program to fit every child at nearly every age.

Embark on a treasure hunt with Geocaching

Searching for the ultimate family-friendly outdoor excursion that your kids are going to adore? Look no further. If you’ve participated in the sport known as geocaching, then you’re already aware that it’s one of the coolest outdoor activities in which you can engage.

The Importance of Foreign Language Education

As 66% of the world speaks at least two languages, it seems that foreign language education should be expected. However, many schools are cutting their foreign language education programs or not making themmandatory. It is a good idea to encourage your child to pursue a foreign language for a couple different reasons.