Passporters: enter to win three great prizes this week!

Remember: You must be a subscriber to win! It’s free and easy! Sign up here (or visit parentmap.com and click on “Sign Up” on the top-right hand side of the homepage).

Prize #1: Free admission to a money class for kids, courtesy of Whole Family Financial. Class is in Kenmore on Feb. 20; read more here (click “events” under “about us”).

• To enter: Click here (or email giveaway@parentmap.com and put “money” in the subject line) and send us your name and phone number.

Prize #2: A family 4-pack of tickets to see the the Oregon Shadow Theater presenting the Mexican folktale, “The Green Bird!” At the Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle. Ongoing through Feb. 14; Saturdays, Sundays, 1 and 3 p.m.

• To enter: Click here (or email giveaway@parentmap.com and put “bird” in the subject line) and send us your name and phone number.

Prize #3: A copy of the new Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails DVD!

• To enter: Click here (or email giveaway@parentmap.com and put “Thomas” in the subject line) and send us your name and mailing address.

Remember — you can’t win by commenting on this post! Email us!

This morning during my KING TV piece on “Making Math Matter,” something anchor Joyce Taylor said truly resonated . Often, parents downplay the importance of math education with comments like, “I’m not good at numbers either; my son/daughter must take after me.” As Taylor pointed out, this kind of remark (usually said with a little chuckle) is often followed with: “And I never really needed math, anyway.”

In journalism circles, we often say (proudly?) we became writers because heaven knows, we never could manage geometry or calculus. Turns out we’re not having the last chuckle.

The days of belittling ‘rithmatic are way over. Our children are woefully behind when it comes to math know-how. A study called the National Report Card shows that just 23% of students in this country are competent in math by 12th grade. Add that (no pun, really) to our unfortunate WASL results (less than half the state’s 10th graders pass the math section) and you understand why we have reason to Be Very Afraid.

Do we really want to come in last in this area? Turns out we journalists could have used some good numbers sense - especially in an economy that’s turning journalists into, well, bloggers, and phasing out income sources for print writers and editors.

What kind of math culture are you setting up in your home? How’s your family Math IQ? Would love to hear your comments!

Want to keep kids from getting the short end of the state-budget stick? Take part in a crazy dance party right in front of the Governor’s office! The dedicated, persistent and incredibly creative moms and dads of MomsRising are behind this event, designed to send a message to state legislators. Oh, and the band: Caspar Babypants!

“We moms & kids may not have high-powered lobbyists buying politicians fancy lunches every day, but we have something much better — thousands of families across the state who are committed to giving Washington children a great start,” says the MomsRising press release. “And what better way to make an impact on our legislators than a sing-along-dance-party with kids in the stuffy Capitol?

“Picture it: babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, parents, and teachers all dancing and singing in the rotunda. Unforgettable, right? Our first-ever Capitol dance party in Olympia is sure to stand out. But to make a big statement we’ve got to have a big crowd — so join us and help make sure the legislature is all humming the same tune for families!

State Capitol dome rotunda, 3:30pm on Friday, February 5th! Don’t forget to RSVP.

Here’s what one reviewer (moi!) said recently about The Jimmies’ new DVD, “Trying Funny Stuff“:

“…infectious, inventive and oddly addictive. There’s never one dull moment in this funky visual feast that features band members running through comic strips, floating on clouds and comparing increasingly crazy “bad hair” days. The collection includes five music videos, a 45-minute live concert, sing-alongs, behind the scenes, and a bonus CD. ”

Fun for silly kids of all ages.

We have copies to give away!

To enter: email us your mailing address.

PLEASE do not enter by commenting on this blog post! You can’t win that way!

“…a must-read.”  “Engaging, brimming with insight..” “DO try this at home!”

No, that’s not Linda’s mom talking, that’s “Today Show” parenting expert Michele Borba, bestselling author Michael Gurian, and the head of Committee for Children, Joan Coal Duffel, respectively.

What are these bright lights of early learning expertise raving about?

Why, our newest book: Beyond Smart: Boosting Your Child’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Potential!

Written by our education editor Linda Morgan, it’s a collection of tips, insights, and info to help parents support their kids’ learning, beginning at birth.

Available in just a few short weeks! But you can win one today. Just email us (giveaway@parentmap.com) your mailing address to enter.

*Don’t enter by commenting here!!!*

Before we get to the bad news, here’s your slow loris fix for the day: OK, that was the happy — now the sad. The Woodland Park Zoo announced the closure date of its oh-so-popular Night Exhibit today — it’s going away on March 1.

Plan a trip over there if you’re a pygmy or slow loris fan (we certainly are!);they’re two of the several species that are either being moved to other zoos or going off view to the public. Critters that are being moved to other areas of the zoo include a pair of two-toed sloths (Tropical Rain Forest) and Rodrigues fruit bats (yay!), tamanduas and springhaas (Adaptations Building). A three-banded armadillo will stay at the zoo, but will be used for education programs. These animals were chosen to stay because they’re not completely nocturnal but are also active when the sun’s up.

According to Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke, the zoo can’t accept donations to help keep the Night Exhibit open — but it will be accepting donations for the care and upkeep of the animals that remain on-site. Throw some money their way here.

Tween boys, rejoice! This week’s giveaway is that Cartoon Network fave, “The Secret Saturdays.” Volume 2 follows the adventures of Doc, Drew, and Zak — part of a network of scientists who work together to save the world! They must fulfill their duties while trying to not get on each other’s nerves. Lake monsters, erupting volcanoes and sibling rivalry are just some of the dangers they face!

You can win a copy of this DVD. Just email us your mailing address to enter.

Do not enter by commenting here!

Schools, community centers and many museums are closed for the holiday, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck at home today. Look for tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King at the Seattle Center (noon), Crossroads Bellevue (noon), Washington State History Museum in Tacoma (extended hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and free admission today), and Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia (4 p.m., free).

The Burke Museum, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, The Children’s Museum, Seattle, Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett,  and KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue are also open today.

Every parent has the experience of trying to figure out how to interpret and respond to disasters that occur during their children’s lives. Whether they are acts of war, terrorism or nature, children may view images on television or learn about tragedies from friends, media or other sources, all of which can be very disturbing for adults and children alike.

Disasters like the one in Haiti may arouse interest, fear, confusion, stress–and perhaps even symptoms like sleeplessness, anxiety and deep sadness. On the other hand, disasters are part of life, and parents can help their children cope with their feelings about difficult realities. They can also learn about empathy and charitable giving.

Here are some tips for communicating with your children:

1. Age and temperament should determine how you talk to your children about disasters. Young children or anxious children of any age should have minimal exposure to TV or media with graphic images.
2. Talk about the disaster and share your values about helping others in times of need. Explore feelings that may surface; the disaster may “trigger” other worries, concerns or past experiences.
3. Make sure you don’t “over-talk.” Gauge the level of the information you provide to your child’s needs and comprehension capacity, not to your enthusiasm for sharing and teaching.
4. Prioritize making your child feel safe and secure. In your reassurance, make sure to that you don’t use dismissive, minimizing language (e.g. “Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be fine.”) Instead, validate feelings of sadness and grief (e.g. “You feel awful that these children have lost their moms and dads. I do too.”) and encourage coping responses (e.g. “Let’s go look on the Net for organizations that we want to give to.”)
5. Role model your own feelings and coping approaches. Maybe you’ll even haul your teenager along to your neighborhood school where people are packing  first aid supplies for the Red Cross.
6. Emphasize the importance of taking action, whether the disaster is near or far. People who become activated around crises always cope better than those who surrender to hopelessness, helplessness and passive vulnerability. (more…)

Here’s a neat way for little ones to learn about some of the greatest moments in U.S. history: Scholastic’s newest Storybook Treasures read-along DVD!

The DVD features four stories - about Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, the Underground Railroad, and more.

We have copies to give away!

To enter: Email us (giveaway@parentmap.com) your mailing address.