Press4Kids News for KIDS!! Goody Bag GIVE AWAY!!!

The world is a scary place anymore!!  Not just for kids! For adults too!!  So, how do you talk to your kids about tragedy?  Some parents don’t allow their children to watch the news but, if they interact with other kids, chances are they are still learning about tragedies. Between the Boston Marathon and the Oklahoma City Tornadoes, not to mention scary things that happen near you!!  How do you talk to your kids? How do we reassure them? How do you explain what happened?

We as parents know, children process these things differently.  They may be asking difficult questions and parents may need suggestions to help discuss what happened and address their concerns. You can’t very well send your child to the New York Times to read about it or any other news source, that’s just not an option!!   Press4Kids developed News-O-Matic.

News-O-Matic (3 free issues on iTunes until June1st!) is an educational news app that covers breaking news, sports, science and much more in an accessible and kid-friendly way.
                   
Targeted to kids ages 7-10, News-O-Matic is a week day newspaper application which includes five daily news stories, detailed images, videos, illustrations, maps, timelines and games. P4K’s objective is to inspire a generation of children to become habitual news readers and well-informed global citizens.

News-O-Matic gives children the opportunity to explore the latest current events through the app, while also giving them a voice to express their views. Children can interact with the Editor-in-Chief by rating stories, drawing pictures, asking questions or expressing opinions about current topics in the “News Room” section of the app.

Created by a skilled team—including child experts, designers and entrepreneurs—News-O-Matic aims to transform the news experience for children in a safe, interactive environment while encouraging them to become knowledgeable, productive members of society.

Growing up I never read a news paper. News-O-Matic makes reading a news paper FUN! Interesting!!  And most importantly, designed with kids in mind!!! Download the app from now to June 1, 2013 for 3 free months!! 

The awesome folks at News-O-Matic are offering one VERY lucky Peanut Butter and Whine follower a goody bag, featuring a $10 iTunes gift card, backpack, hat, water bottle and an iPad screen cleaner. Good LUCK!!  Be sure to check under the Rafflecopter form for 5 great tips to help parents talk about news issues with kids! Written by Dr. Phyllis Ohr, Child Psychologist for Press for Kids!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1.    When the event does not personally affect the child, reassure them that everything is okay with the people they love and that nothing has changed for them.

2.     Be sure to stress to children that if they do have questions to ask parents, teachers as well as friends. Other children having the same feelings may be comforting.

3.    Begin by giving the child a brief synopsis of what happened by using age appropriate language. Ask if there is something they want to know more about or if they need something explained further. If so, stick to pointedly answering their question or clarifying. Do not add on or digress.

4.    Do not assume the news will make children feel a certain way. Ask if they know how they feel, but stress that kids feel all different ways when they hear important news and sometimes do not know how they feel or do not feel anything which is okay. However, if children are affected by it, it is their own feeling. Reassure children that no matter what they are feeling, their feelings are okay.

5.    If they are upset but don’t want to talk, suggest a fun activity for distraction or help them use calming skills like playing, drawing a picture or writing a story. These activities help release any upset feelings and make children feel better.

Disclosure I received complimentary products for the purpose of my review. No other compensation was provided. The opinions are mine and 100% honest. I have not been influenced in any way.