Resources: iPhone Apps for Parents

PC Mag has an interesting article.  Link  

It collects 10 iPhone apps that can provide timely resources for parents.  It reminds us that in a digital age, an iPhone or other smartphone is likely to be in many diaper bags, and it can become a potent resource.

Of course, the greatest resource is the ability to reach out and share the frustration...

Need a little white noise on a trip?

White Noise
Babies scream, toddlers pout, and parents can often lose their minds. Since the sound of crickets chirping has the same relaxing effect on children as it does on adults, White Noise is perfect for taking things down a notch. The portable calming solution is available as a free limited download (complete with rainstorm, ocean, fireplace, and five other soothing sounds) and can put peace at your fingertips. The full version is available for 99 cents and includes a library of 40 sounds, including frogs.

Need just a touch of light in the middle of the night?

myLite Flashlight
While there's nothing fancy about an iPhone application that uses the screen to emit white light, the practical uses for such an application are priceless. The free myLite Flashlight app provides a straightforward series of settings to control light color and brightness (plus some cool effects for those who desire it). You'll never lose a pacifier in a dark movie theater again.

Need to send photos from a long trip?

AirMe
Birthday parties, sporting events, and school plays are all perfect occasions to snap some extra shots with your iPhone. With the free AirMe application, you won't even need to wait until you get home to start sharing them with friends and family! Upload instantly to Photobucket, TinyPic, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, or Picasa without the hassle of file transfer or e-mail, and without the cost of an external gadget. (Of course, this means you'll no longer have an excuse for not updating photos to your online baby book.)

RAND find Parents as Teachers Promising Practice

Courtesy of the MCH Listserv, which publishes a useful weekly alert

RAND'S Promising Practices Network Features Parent Education Program

The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program provides parents with child development information and parenting support.

RAND's Promising Practice Network (PPN) on Children, Families and Communities recently recognized it as a "program that works." PAT is a four-part intervention model in which trained and certified parent educators offer support to children and their families from pregnancy until the child is 5 years old.

Program services include home visits; child health, hearing, vision, anddevelopmental screenings; parent group meetings; and a resource network that links families with needed community resources. Studies have shown that PAT has proven effects on the number of infants born weighing 5.5 lbs or more as well as on young children's cognitive and physical development.

The PPN Web site contains a program overview as well as information on program
participants, evaluation methods, key evaluation findings, probable implementers, funding, implementation detail, and issues to consider.

Example sites, contact information, a list of resources, and a bibliography are also available at http://www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp?programid=88&ref=ppntext.

Resources

Parents as Teachers

Promising Practices Network

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