Still looking for that perfect Christmas gift?

You might want to check out Common Sense Media's Holiday Gift Guide.

In their words, the guide includes "100+ holiday gift ideas hand-selected to inspire, educate, and entertain kids of all ages and stages. Whether your list includes young children, tweens, or teens, now it's easy to find presents that kids and parents will feel good about. All our picks are arranged by age and media type, and they include movies, video games, books, music, TV shows on DVD, apps, and websites."

Happy shopping!

How Much Do You Know About Gaming Consoles?

I am guessing that games or a new gaming console may be on a Christmas list you have been given. I admit knowing next to nothing about these things except for what I hear in the chatter in the IT room here at MHS and what I read in the blogs I regularly check. I am learning a great deal in a post titled "Your living room's new "black box"" in today's blog from MediaSmarts.

There is valuable information on such things as the features of gaming consoles (internet connection, built-in cameras, account requirements that allow players to participate in social networks as part of the gaming experience). They also stress the importance of working with the rating system. There is a link to Understanding the Video Game Rating System in the article (it is a pdf document that may download or your computer or open in a new browser tab).

No matter the age of your gamers, it sounds like it is very important to work with them in setting up the game system and learning about and evaluating the features available. It appears that there is a lot of room for customization of the system for your family's needs. As I indicated in an early post to this blog, making this a family activity can be both fun and educational for all involved.

Family Game Night Reinvented

Do you ever lament the fact that families, perhaps even yours, don't play games as a group any more? Of course I realize that some families still have fun playing board and card games together but, even if that is not your family, you still have options for family fun in keeping with ever-advancing technology. According to author Jordan Shapiro, who contributed this article to Forbes Magazine, there are many "benefits of intergenerational video game play," including "a positive impact on adolescent development and long-term family outcomes."

No better way to become familiar with what your kids are playing than to play right along with them.

Tracking Santa - Updated for the Times

If you are among those who like to track Santa's progress across the globe with your little ones on Christmas Eve you will want to check out the technological updates to the process. Microsoft has helped NORAD make some changes to enhance the experience. Check it out at NORAD Tracks Santa.

Whether you go high-tech or low-tech, or a little of both, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.