Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

The American Academy of Pediatrics has release information about a new study that shows exposing infants and toddlers to television does not improve their language and visual motor skills at age 3, but does not appear to harm them either.

In the study, “Television Viewing in Infancy and Child Cognition at 3 Years of Age in a US Cohort,” researchers looked at the amount of time 872 children spent watching television or videos from birth to 2 years of age, then assessed their language and visual motor skills at age 3. When researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence these skills, such as maternal education and breastfeeding, the effect of television appeared neutral. Contrary to many parents’ perception that television viewing is beneficial to their children’s brain development, the researchers found no evidence of such a benefit. The authors point out that there are many potential benefits of limiting television exposure in children, including improved diet, lower risk of overweight, less exposure to violent content, and improved sleep quality.

Watch your local DVD retailer for some of these delightful titles for your younger viewers:

3-2-1 Penguins!: Blast In Space!

All systems are GO as your favorite space-traveling penguins embark on their next intergalactic journey! From the creators of the award-winning VeggieTales® series, Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company, presents Zidgel, Midgel, Fidgel and Kevin in 3-2-1 Penguins!®: Blast In SpaceÔ! Featuring three all new episodes together on one DVD. Dedicated to responding to distress calls from across the galaxy, 3-2-1 Penguins! follows the adventures of a pair of seven-year old twins and four space-traveling penguins who learn valuable lessons based on the book of Proverbs along the way.

Strap in for three all new adventures with four space-traveling penguins! Add in giant ants, hula-dancing tikis and a volcano ready to blow and you’ll have a blast in space while learning valuable lessons from the book of Proverbs in patience, diligence and compassion! Featured episodes include Wiki Tiki, Lazy Daze and Compassion Crashin’.

Elmo and Friends: Tales of Adventure – Making ABCs, geometry and comparisons fun! 

Calling all LA Youth!

KIDS FIRST! Best Day and Awards Celebration will be returning to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Saturday, October 17.

We are looking for youth filmmakers to enter their short films for our annual awards’ competition.
We are looking for youth volunteers to help staff the event.
We are looking for youth critics who want to serve as judges for the competition.
We are looking for youth who want to attend free screenings of films, meet celebrity talent, and join in the fun of our annual event.

For more information, contact us at http://www.kidsfirst.org/contact-us/index.html

One of our affiliated organizations, Daughters.com is offering a bunch of interesting themes for girls throughout the mont of February on their website, New Moon Girls. Starting with readings about black Herstory, they have articles about food for the soul, coming of age and women that inspire us!

Then, in line with Valentine’s Day and beyong are articles about Love and Crushes, Pets, Body Image and What’s in a Name.

In Creativity for the Soul Nancy Gruver shares why music and dance benefit girls, and not at just a young age! Helen Cordes explores how to get girls behind the camera and why it’s great for them in Making Her Own Movies.

Do you need to talk to your daughter about how her body is changing but are unsure how? Lynda Madison and Amy Lynch give you all the tips and information you’ll need in What to Do and Say When Her Body Changes.

Checkout these articles and more this week at Daughters.com