Google, Mattel bring virtual reality to iconic toy

NEW YORK — Google and toy giant Mattel said Friday they were teaming up to revamp the classic View-Master device, injecting it with digital-age virtual reality.

The upgraded View-Master — a device unveiled in 1939 to allow people to view slides to simulate a three-dimensional experience — will become “an immersive digital experience for kids,” a statement from the two companies said.

The new device will be available later this year at a price of around $30 for US consumers.

A sample reel allows users to experience a journey into space with a tour inside a space shuttle, and a chance to explore destinations in 360 degrees. Additional reel packs will be sold separately.

The new View-Master will incorporate the Google Cardboard platform — an inexpensive system which uses a smartphone enveloped in the folds of cardboard for a simplified virtual reality experience.

It will be paired with a smartphone and app to provide “an imaginative and interactive learning environment,” the statement said.

“The View-Master was first introduced at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, giving consumers access to spectacular 3D worlds by simply selecting a reel and looking through a device,” said Mattel vice president Doug Wadleigh.

“By working with Google’s Cardboard platform, we are now able to take that experience even further, bringing the discovery and immersive viewing experience of the View-Master to the digital age.”

Mike Jazayeri, product director for Google Cardboard, said, “Many of us on the Google Cardboard team grew up playing with View-Master, so we were excited to collaborate with Mattel and to see the viewer evolve and work with Google Cardboard.”

source: interaksyon.com

Google considering YouTube, Gmail accounts for kids: reports

Google Inc is considering allowing online accounts for children under the age of 13 and give their parents control over how the service is used, according to media reports.

Google has been working on a version of YouTube, its video-sharing site, for youngsters and is considering other child-friendly accounts such as its Gmail system, the Financial Times reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Internet companies such as Google and Facebook Inc do not offer their services to children under 13, but it is tough to catch users who sign up by providing false information.

A U.S. law called Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, imposes strict controls on the collection and use of information about children under 13.

Google’s effort is partly driven by the fact that some parents are already trying to create accounts for their children and the company wants to make the process easier and compliant with the rules, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the effort.

Google’s move was first reported by technology news website The Information.

Google spokesman Peter Barron declined to comment on what he called “rumors and speculation”.

source: interaksyon.com

Bedroom computers, TV may add to autism sleep issues

NEW YORK -- Kids with autism and related disorders are prone to sleep disturbances but a new study finds that screen time, especially in the bedroom, may make their sleep problems worse.

When researchers compared boys with autism spectrum disorders to other boys, they found that all the kids with bedroom access to media slept fewer hours, but the relationship was twice as strong for the boys with autism.

"In-room media access was associated with about 1.5 fewer hours of sleep per night in the group with autism," said Christopher R. Engelhardt, who led the study at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

"This association can potentially be problematic, particularly if the reduction in sleep interferes with other daily activities, such as school, homework, interactions with other people, or driving," he told Reuters Health in an email.

Past studies suggest that up to 80 percent of kids with autism, and related conditions like Asperger syndrome, experience sleep troubles, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also are known to have a high rate of sleep disturbances.

With both conditions, it's unclear why sleep is so difficult. Theories include a disruption in sleep-wake cycles that are regulated by the hormone melatonin, which is often deficient in kids with ASDs, Engelhardt and his colleagues write in Pediatrics.

Because kids with autism spectrum disorders, like those with ADHD, also tend to spend a lot of time watching TV and playing video or computer games, the researchers wondered whether that could be contributing to their sleep problems.

So they recruited the parents of 49 boys with autism spectrum disorders, 38 with ADHD and 41 comparison boys with typical development to fill out questionnaires about their children's bedroom screen access and sleep patterns. All the kids were between ages eight and 17.

Boys with autism who had TV, computers or video games in their bedrooms got less sleep than all the other boys, including boys with autism who didn't have media in their bedrooms.

Without a TV in their room, boys with autism spent an average of about nine hours sleeping, compared to less than eight hours among kids with an ASD and a bedroom TV.

In contrast, bedroom TVs didn't seem to make a difference for boys with ADHD or typical development.

Boys with autism with computers in their rooms slept nearly two hours less than boys with autism and no bedroom computer.

A lot of time spent playing video games, regardless of where they were located, was also linked to shorter sleep times among boys with ASDs.

Even for typical children, too much time with TV or video games has been linked to attention problems, hyperactivity, arguments and physical fights, Engelhardt said.

"We can't say that access to a TV causes less sleep," only that the two are linked for some kids, he said.

Last month, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for limiting screen time for all kids to one or two hours per day.

"This is a good recommendation for all children," Dr. Beth Marlow, Burry Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development and director of the Sleep Disorders Division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Following this recommendation for kids with (autism spectrum) and ADHD is good, although children with (autism spectrum) or ADHD who are still having difficulty with sleep despite limiting electronics really deserve a sleep evaluation by their pediatrician or sleep specialist."

Sleep troubles can also stem from anxiety, sleep apnea, pain that the child might not be able to express, gastrointestinal problems or seizures, she said.

For typically developing kids, bedroom TV access doesn't usually seem to cut into sleep.

"However, (Engelhardt's) finding for teens with ASD concurs with our clinical impressions -- that these teens have difficulty 'switching off' videogames," Michael Gradisar said.

Gradisar is a clinical psychologist who studies technology use and sleep, especially among teens, at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.

"Many teens have a distorted sense of time passing when playing videogames, however, it may be that this time distortion is stronger for teens with ASD," he said.

Parents can have a tough time managing how much their children play games or watch TV, he said. "It may take quite some time to do, but one option is for parents to introduce other hobbies and activities into their teens lives, so that videogaming eventually occupies less time."

People with autism tend to spend more time with media outlets, researchers think, because the electronic worlds have engaging audio and visual features and their social interactions are easy relative to real life interactions.

This doesn't necessarily mean that parents should take TVs or video games out of their autistic children's rooms, but might consider limiting or monitoring media consumption, he said.

"Screen media can certainly be good for kids with autism," he said. "Scientists have long known that video games are great at teaching and reinforcing certain behaviors, so it's possible that these games can be used to adjust and shape the types of behaviors generally valued by society, such as behaviors intended to help others."

source: interaksyon.com

Non-regular bedtimes tied to kids' behavior problems

NEW YORK - Kids without a regular bedtime tend to have more behavior problems at home and at school, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that when children started going to sleep at a more consistent time, their behavior improved as well.

"If you are constantly changing the amounts of sleep you get or the different times you go to bed, it's likely to mess up your body clock," said Yvonne Kelly, who led the study.

"That has all sorts of impacts on how your body is able to work the following day," Kelly, from University College London, told Reuters Health.

She and her colleagues analyzed data on more than 10,000 children. They were part of a long-term study of babies born in the UK in 2000 to 2002 that regularly surveyed parents about sleep and behavioral problems.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or an autism spectrum disorder were not included in the study.

When kids were three years old, close to 20 percent of parents said their child sometimes or never went to bed at a consistent time. That fell to 9 percent among five-year-olds and 8 percent for seven-year-olds.

Children without a regular bedtime tended to score worse on a measure of behavior problems such as acting unhappy, getting into fights and being inconsiderate. The assessment is scored from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating more problems.

When children were seven years old, for example, those without a regular bedtime scored an 8.5, on average, based on their mothers' reports. That compared to scores between 6.3 and 6.9 for kids who had a consistent bedtime before 9 p.m.

The researchers said one to two points represents a small or moderate difference, but is "meaningful."

Teachers of seven-year-olds were asked to report on their behavior as well. They also gave worse scores to children who didn't have a regular bedtime.

Kids whose parents said they had non-regular bedtimes on every survey growing up had the most behavioral issues, Kelly's team reported in Pediatrics.

But when children went from having a non-regular bedtime to a regular bedtime on the following survey, their behavior scores improved.

That is encouraging, Kelly said, because it shows parents can make changes to affect their child's behavior.

Although the researchers accounted for other parent characteristics and family habits, it's still possible kids' behavior problems weren't directly caused by irregular bedtimes.

"It's very difficult to know whether or not from a study like this, is it literally the not having a regular bedtime schedule that was contributing to the difficulties or is it representative of a bigger picture?" said Jodi Mindell.

A pediatric sleep specialist from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, she was not involved in the new research.

Still, Mindell said, getting kids to bed early and at a consistent time is "really important."

Kelly recommended families avoid television and other screens before bed and get into a routine that includes a bedtime story and other calm activities.

"All of these things which are kind of just basic common sense are going to help," she said.

Having a bedtime routine that is quality family time also makes it something children will look forward to, Mindell told Reuters Health.

"I think that parents need to make sleep a priority, and they need to realize that it has huge ramifications not only that evening, but the next day, the next week, the next year," she said.

However, parents don't have to drive themselves crazy, Kelly said. "The odd late night is not going to cause harm either," she said.

source: interaksyon.com

Peru confirms bishop defrocked for alleged pedophilia

LIMA - A Peruvian bishop has been defrocked over allegations of pedophilia in line with an order from Rome, the Peruvian Bishops Conference said Thursday.

This is the first time a bishop has been accused of abusing children in Peru.

The alleged offender is Gabino Miranda, until now the auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho in southeastern Peru. His whereabouts are unknown.

His punishment -- being reduced to a layman -- was first reported September 15 by another Peruvian bishop. Now it has been confirmed by the full blown bishops conference. It is the harshest punishment the Vatican can impose on a clergyman.

Pope Francis notified Peru in July via the Vatican's embassy here that Miranda must be dismissed and stripped of his status as a clergyman, said Salvador Pineiro, president of the bishops conference.

Pineiro said he supported a government investigation under way into Miranda's alleged pedophilia.

Pineiro is archbishop of Ayacucho and thus had worked with the alleged pedophile.

"In the two years I have been archbishop of Ayacucho, I have never received a complaint against him," Pineiro said in a statement.

After news of the case first broke, Ayacucho prosecutor Gary Nunez began proceedings to have Peru's foreign ministry ask the papal nuncio -- the pope's ambassador -- for information so as to launch a probe of Miranda.

source: interaksyon.com

Good penmanship begins with the right tools

MANILA, Philippines - Selecting pencils that a beginner can easily grip and work with is more important than most parents think, according to Cristina Caraig, marketing manger of Amalgamated Specialties Corporation (Amspec), exclusive makers of T-Pencil and Crayola in the Philippines.

For many beginners, the T-Pencil with large-sized hexagonal barrels are ideal. Others find the Jumbo model with round barrel in black — the standard pencil for kinder students in the ’50s up to the ’60s — easier to work with. Still other pupils are more comfortable with the T-Pencil with triangular barrel. The same model works well for left-handed youngsters.

Each child has his own preference, point out studies by Amspec, which has been making pencils for 50 years. It used to manufacture other pencil brands until it decided to develop its own label.  “The key is to help a child experiment — beginning perhaps with the hexagonal models with larger barrels,” says Caraig.

She notes that the best time to prepare a child to write is as young as 18 months or old enough to grip a crayon. The best precursor to a good pencil is a good crayon — one that is easy for little hands to grasp and at the same time will not easily snap. More important, a crayon should be non-toxic to avoid harming youngsters who tend to put things in their mouth.

Crayola’s My First Crayons were designed especially for toddlers and meet all of the above requirements. They are also deliberately not labeled so that kids don’t have to struggle peeling them off after long hours of scribbling. Like all Crayola products, they meet the European Union’s consumer safety, health and environmental requirements. They are also registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration and have been deemed safe by the USA Arts and Crafts Materials Institute.

“Drawing and writing are complex tasks for growing children to master,” says Caraig. Both activities require grasping an implement, holding the paper so it stays in place, and applying just the required pressure. A crayon that glides easily on paper facilitates mastery of this skill. In lieu of a crayon, markers made intentionally for pudgy hands like Crayola’s stubby Pip-Squeaks help a child hone the skill. With the right coaching, scribbling metamorphoses to writing with a pencil.



Crayons and pencils that are easy for a toddler to use also build his confidence. “A two-or-three-year-old, says Caraig, “automatically attributes the efficiency of his writing implements to his own abilities — and vice versa. When a crayon does not register well on paper or when a pencil’s lead snaps easily, he automatically thinks it is because he has done a bad job.”

source: philstar.com

6 Ways To Teach Your Kids All About Money

Kids are fast learners, and one of the best lessons that we can teach them is money management. However, money management is often hard for many adults to grasp, so how can we teach our kids about money in a way that is engaging?

First, we can realize that there are opportunities to teach children about money every single day. Whether we take them with us into the bank or let them push some buttons at the ATM, they can learn simply by doing. If you are looking for more ideas, check out the 6 below.

1. Talk About It All The Time

I don’t know why (because I’m not shy about it!) but money is a taboo topic. People don’t like talking about their budgets or their debt or what they paid for their house. While I am a private person and I don’t want my future kids to know my salary, I do think that it’s important to talk about money topics. Kids can learn about investing, interest rates, banks, checking accounts, and credit cards at a very young age. Having all of these topics open for discussion will make them comfortable with money. It will also put them way ahead of the curve when it comes time for them to grow their own nest egg.

2. Teach Them To Give

While it’s important to teach children how to save, it’s equally important to teach them how to give. Whether it’s splitting their allowance with a charity of their choice or having them drop change in a donation bucket, you can teach them how lucky they are and how the money they decide to donate can be used to help others.

3. Teach Them To Earn It

Instead of giving your kids an allowance just for being your kids, why not ask them to complete certain chores around the house? This will teach them that money doesn’t drop out the sky. You actually have to work hard in order to get it.

4. Teach Them To Organize It

When kids are young, many parents decide to have two or three piggy banks. You can have one for spending, one for saving, and if you want, one for giving too. That way, every time your child receives money, they can split it between their piggy banks. When they grow older, they can get their own checking and savings accounts.

5. Set An Example

Kids watch absolutely everything we do. I remember telling my mom to “just write a check for it.” However, I had no idea what writing a check meant at the time! Show your kids how you are paying for things. Explain to them different methods. Tell them that you are buying yourself a new dress because you worked hard, and you have money in your bank account because of it. You’d be surprised what they pick up! Kids are sponges!

6. Let Them Play Games

T.Rowe Price has a fun, interactive game called The Great Piggy Bank Adventures where you can “earn money and buy cool stuff.” Kids also learn about investing and saving up for goals through the game, so it’s a great resource!

source: everythingfinanceblog.com

A kiddie Christmas at Rustan’s

MANILA, Philippines - Kids and kids-at-heart will jump for joy at Rustan’s Department Store’s carefully selected roster of labels, toys and collector’s pieces from classic children’s collectors items to creative finds like Adora Dolls, Gund, Autoart Traxx, House of Marbles, Stephen Joseph, Lamaze and Kid Kraft, one is sure to find the perfect present that will bring unforgettable joy to your little loved ones.

For irresistibly cute outfits and heart-melting style statements,  Rustan’s in-house brand Kiddos has colorful and smart designs this season, while its latest addition, the Spanish brand Neck & Neck, goes strong with prints and give layering a new spin.

Have your children whisper their sweet wishes and finish their Christmas wish list with Santa Claus as he makes a weekly appearance on weekends at Rustan’s. Rustan’s is giving away Krispy Kreme goodies every day from Dec. 13 to 24 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

As a thank you to its shoppers and in keeping with its eco-conscious sensibilities, Rustan’s is giving away until Jan. 5, 2013 the revolutionary LED Magic Bulb, an eco-friendly rechargeable light bulb that stays on even in a blackout and doubles as a flashlight.

To redeem the Magic Bulb, you must collect three stamps and exchange the completed stamp card for the gift. One stamp will given for every P5,000 single-receipt purchase at Rustan’s during the promo period.

For more gift selections visit and inquire at any of the Rustan’s Department Store branches: Rustan’s Makati, 813-3739; Rustan’s Shangri-La, 633-4636; Rustan’s Alabang, 850-5532; Rustan’s Gateway, 911-2401.

source: philstar.com

Manila Hotel gives back this Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - In the spirit of Christmas, Manila Hotel gives its guests the opportunity to give a gift and help the kids of the House of Refuge Foundation Inc.

Manila Hotel is offering Nutcracker Cookie Jars wherein proceeds from the sale will be donated to the House of Refuge.

The kids of the House of Refuge were treated to exciting games and activities during the hotel’s Christmas tree lighting and The Nutcracker Christmas theme launch recently.

“The Manila Hotel maintains its commitment in helping underprivileged communities. With this project, we hope to share the joys of the season to the children of the House of Refuge,” says Manila Hotel executive vice president Enrique Yap Jr.

The House of Refuge helps abandoned and orphaned children in Metro Manila. It has three major programs: residential care, legal adoption, and independent living for older children.



Every monetary and in-kind support received by the House of Refuge will greatly help in the education, health, and other basic needs of the children.


Since its inception, the House of Refuge has served more than 1,000 children. It currently cares for 36 children aged four to 17.

“It’s really an honor that Manila Hotel chose House of Refuge Foundation Inc. to be the beneficiary of the Nutcracker Cookie Jar. Your contribution, be it small or big, will greatly make a difference in the lives of all the precious children in our care,” says Glady Bunao, directress of the House of Refuge.

There are only 500 limited edition cookie jars available at the Delicatessen for P1,500 net. For reservations, call 527-0011.

source: philstar.com

High salt consumption endangers US kids - study

WASHINGTON DC - Children in the United States consume too much salt, putting them at risk for hypertension and other health problems, according to a study published Monday in the science review Pediatrics.

The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that kids between the ages of eight and 18 took in an average of 3,387 milligrams of sodium a day, more than twice the 1,500 daily recommended by doctors.

The study monitored the diets of 6,235 youths and found that their sodium intake was about the same as that of adults, with more than three-quarters of the salt coming from processed and fast foods.

Too much salt is linked to high blood pressure -- a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and several other problems which were once found almost exclusively in adults, but which are now increasingly seen in children.

The risk of high blood pressure was particularly high among overweight and obese youths, the CDC said.

Health officials in the United States called the study's findings alarming.

"It's very disturbing that this nation's children and teens consume too much salt in their diets at school and home," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association (AHA)

"High blood pressure, once viewed as an adult illness is now affecting more young people because of high sodium diets and increasing obesity," she said.

"While new nutrition standards for school meals are helping, progress is slow. This study strongly underscores the need to move faster because our kids are on an early path to heart attacks and strokes."

The AHA urged the US Food and Drug Administration to set mandatory limits on the sodium content of foods and urged federal authorities to make the reduction of sodium a national priority.

source: interaksyon.com

Preschool snoring could signal behavioral problems - study

Preschoolers who habitually snore may be at greater risk of behavioral problems than other children their age, according to a US study.

Researchers, who results appeared in the journal Pediatrics, found that two- and three-year olds who snored loudly at least a couple of times per week tended to have more problems with inattention and hyperactivity.

More than one-third of those "persistent" snorers were considered to be at least at risk of a behavioral disorder, like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

This compared with 10 to 12 percent of their peers who either did not snore or had shorter-lived problems, said researchers led by Dean Beebe, of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

The findings do not prove that the breathing problems directly lead to behavioral problems or that treating the underlying cause of snoring can improve children's behavior.

"Kids are going to snore sometimes, especially when they have a cold," Beebe said in an interview. "It's when the snoring persists that it gets concerning."

He added that chronic, loud snoring "should be on parents' radar, and it's something they should bring up to their pediatrician."

The study adds to others that have linked children's behavior to so-called sleep-disordered breathing -- when kids chronically snore, mouth-breathe or seem to stop breathing for several seconds at a time as they sleep, also called apnea.

For the study, 249 children were followed from birth to age three. Overall, nine percent were considered persistent snorers based on parents' reports. That meant they'd snored loudly at least twice a week at the ages of both two and three.

Another 23 percent were "transient" snorers, meaning they'd snored at least twice a week at either age two or three but not both. The rest of the children, 68 percent, were considered non-snorers.

Overall, 35 percent of the persistent snorers scored high enough on a standard questionnaire to at least be considered "at risk" of a behavioral disorder, though that didn't mean they had one.

"It isn't necessarily diagnostic, but they're showing more problems than is typical," Beebe said.

There are reasons to believe that sleep-disordered breathing would affect children's behavior. One reason is that poor sleep quality could make them tired and more easily frustrated.

Based on animal research, it's possible that when apnea causes oxygen levels to go down repeatedly overnight, there might effects on the brain circuitry.

Beebe's team accounted for family income, children's exposure to cigarette smoke and certain other factors, and the snoring-behavior link still held. Although, Beebe said it's always possible that there are other explanations.

For now, he recommended that parents be aware that persistent snoring is "not normal" and is something they should tell their pediatrician about.

source: interaksyon.com

All out for Brigada Eskuwela

MANILA, Philippines --- A few days before school opening, people from the academe, government, corporate sector and even embassies are once again reviving the Bayanihan spirit to support the nationwide Brigada Eskuwela campaign.

The Department of Education initiated-program, are banking on the collective spirit of the various sectors in helping physically prepare the country’s thousands of schools in time for the opening of classes this June.

Volunteers from the Ateneo de Manila University, for instance, helped prepare 10 public elementary schools in Quezon City for the resumption of classes on June 11. A project of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), the Ateneo fielded about 475 volunteers to help clean, beautify and prepare the General Roxas, Payatas B and its annex, Culiat, Lupang Pangako, Manuel L. Quezon, Old Balara, Balumbato, Payatas C and Fairview Elementary Schools.

The volunteers, composed of Human Resources Management Office (HRMO), Facilities Management Office (FMO), Residence Halls, Ateneo Human Rights Center, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Graduate School of Business (GSB), as well as teachers and students of the Ateneo Grade School cleaned and repainted classrooms, chalkboards, libraries, building facades, corridors and murals in these schools.

Jano Cadiz, an 11-year-old student of the AGS who helped clean some classrooms at the Payatas B Elementary School, said that he wanted to have the experience of helping to become a habit.

Mel Oracion, ACED director specifically requested volunteers to paint chalkboards this year. She said that “only teachers understand how satisfying and motivating it is to write on freshly painted chalkboards.” She added that this is because writing on chalkboards “is an important part of the memories teachers form during the school year.”

Couple for Christ, ACED’s partners in their program called Cornerstone, will also be conducting its own Brigada Eskwela activity and focusing on donating chalk and painting chalkboards.

MORE LGUs UNITE FOR BRIGADA

Meanwhile, General Trias Cavite Mayor Luis ‘Jon-Jon’ Ferrer IV, his brother Congressman Antonio Ferrer, and Cavite Councilors Morit Sison and Kerby Salazar led the Brigada Eskwela project in their locality.

The group was joined by DepEd Superintendents Dr. Edna Bayot and Dr. Cantada, teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, students and non-government organizations in cleaning up the Governor Ferrer National High in Barangay Pinagtipunan.

Mayor Ferrer is aiming for a 100-percent compliance of the municipality for the program to benefit the thousands of school children who will be enrolled this school year.

Rizal Governor Junjun Ynares lll also led the Brigada Eskuwela kick-off activity at the Old Bosoboso Elementary School, Barangay San Jose in Antipolo City recently. It was participated in by teachers, parents, policemen, barangay tanods, and local officials.

The Australian government, on the other hand, has provided approximately Php4.7 million (A$109,000) to support Brigada Eskwela activities in 80 public schools –30 in Metro Manila and 50 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

AUSTRALIA REACHES OUT

Australia provided each school with at least Php60,000 worth of materials and supplies for minor repairs repainting and cleaning.

The Australian Embassy is likewise participating in the Brigada Eskwela activities at the Silangan Elementary School in Taguig City. Its staff will also participate in the painting and cleaning of classrooms this week in five schools in the city.

Australia and Taguig City are key partners in piloting a disaster risk management program called BRACE (Building the Resilience and Awareness of Metro Manila Communities to Natural Disasters and Climate Change Impacts). Australia, through the BRACE program, will assist urban communities “brace” for the impact of natural disasters. BRACE will demonstrate that by “building back better”, the damage bill for future disasters – both in human and economic terms – can be significantly lessened.

Australia is also helping to coordinate Brigada Eskwela activities in schools where there are large populations of indigenous learners through the Philippines’ Response to Muslim and Indigenous Peoples’ Education (PRIME) program.

“Our participation in Brigada Eskwela is part of Australia’s significant commitment to helping improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Philippines,” Ambassador Tweddell said.

Finally, one of the fastest growing developers, the Property Company of Friends Inc. (PRO-FRIENDS) has led in the kick-off of Brigada Eskuwela activities in the Pal-Agon, Amparo Elementary School in Pavia, Iloilo.

Volunteers from the company partnered with teachers, barangay officials and Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta in rehabilitating the school stage and re-painting classrooms. The volunteers also donated new reference books and materials for the school clinic. They also conducted a story-telling session to encourage the kids’ love for literature. One other integral part of their program is propagating a new vegetable garden to promote a healthy and nutritious diet to the students and volunteer parents.

source: mb.com.ph

World's best airlines for passengers traveling with kids

Traveling with children? If you're flying, you may want to choose from among the five airlines recently listed by US News Travel as the world’s most family-friendly.

From specialized sleeping cots and menus, to special play areas in airports, these airlines

go out of the way to provide families with young children the best flight experience

possible.

Emirates

Emirates may be overdoing its slogan “Families come first” but passengers are not

complaining.

Cited by US News Travel as the most friendly, the airline offers an array of services designed to help passengers with children fly with ease.

While on the ground, passengers are welcome to use Emirates' free strollers so they could

ferry their children around the airport.

On long-haul Business and First Class flights, the airline may even offer to snap a Polaroid picture of you and your baby.

According to a report of the news site Emirates 24/7 on Monday, the airline also has special play areas for children flying Economy, and lend wired game consoles to children flying Business and First Class.

The airlines also allows unaccompanied minors aged five to 12 to board its flights,

and provide separate check-in facilities for the young passengers.

Young children are always seated in before all the other passengers to ensure their safety.

Upon touchdown, a special crew helps them get through the immigration and hand them to their designated guardians.

On top of a specialized selection of child-friendly shows and movies in its in-flight

entertainment (ICE), Emirates’ flight crew also prepare special kids’ meals and give out

goodie bags.

British Airways

Emirates 24/7 said United Kingdom’s flag carrier and a sponsor of the London Olympics in June, BritishAirways (BA) is famed for its “feed kids first” policy, which ensures that kids are fed first so their adult companions can enjoy their own meals with less distraction.

The menu, of course, includes healthy dishes of fruits and vegetables.

BA also offers activity packs for three to five-year-olds and for six to 12-year-

olds.

Its in-flight entertainment comes with a “parental lock” that enables adult to block

inappropriate channels for their children.

The best catch is that toddlers get to travel for free but you may need to call the airline in

advance and bring your own Britax booster seat.

Lufthansa

Emirates 24/7 said Europe’s largest airline offers a unique club for its young passengers, JetFriends, which gives them the behind-the-scenes of the aviation industry.

The site includes interactive presentations of Lufthansa’s fleet. German celebrity chef Stefan Marquard, meanwhile, whips up the stylish in-flight menu, which promises to entice even the pickiest travelers.

The airline also provides strollers and baby cots or bassinets, as well as provide for

unaccompanied travel for young children.

Gulf Air

Gulf Air’s army of Sky Nannies are famous the whole world over—where else can you

get free, comprehensive daycare for your children while flying long miles?

Emirates 24/7 said specially-trained Sky Nannies take care of young travelers right from the airport lounge to disembarkation, and provide parents with the much-needed break from childcare.

Forgot to pack something for your baby? Nappies, baby bib, baby wipes, baby lotion,

baby powder, and even cotton bud—you name it, the airline carries extensive baby

supplies for childcare emergencies.

Qantas

Qantas, the “Flying Kangaroo”, along with Lufthansa, Emirates, and British Airways, are ranked

four-star by the consultancy Skytrax, which has also named it one of the ten best airlines

in the world in 2012.

Emirates 24/7 said Qantas provides “Family Zones” in airports across Australia, which are packed with iMacs, toys, and books to keep children entertained before flights.

On board, children are kept entertained by its fun kits, which include action figures and color pencils. It also allows families to arrange special seating for flights. - with Ralph Angelo Ty, VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com