Here's the latest article from the Special Needs Children site at BellaOnline.com.

Establishing Advocacy Priorities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69809.asp
Parents and advocacy organizations can establish advocacy priorities for children and teens with developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions or other special needs that maintain support, encouragement and opportunities throughout the lifespan of each individual.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69809.asp

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for articles of interest about encouraging and supporting children with special needs and their families.

Creative Playtime for Babies and Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69834.asp

The most important gift we can give our children is time together,
listening to them and following their lead; sharing a quiet moment
enjoying one another's company; escaping to a quiet corner for a happy
story when everyone else thinks it's time for a 'stern talk' about
what is actually appropriate misbehavior!

Remember, sometimes moms need a 'time out' too - something small and
indulgent for us is often better than the stern talk we give ourselves
when we take on responsibility for everyone else's experience. Why don't
we just say, "Excuse me, I have to go touch up my lipstick" more often
when we just need to get away for a few minutes? It doesn't matter a bit
whether we actually have lipstick with us or not. ;-)

Follow the SNC Editor, Pamela Wilson, via Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/DownSynAdvocacy

Is it too late for the Top Holiday Deals on Amazon?
http://tinyurl.com/TpHldyDls2Dec23

Here's a runner's GPS with heart monitor -
in case you are chasing after an escape artist
http://tinyurl.com/GrmnFrnr306gpsHrtMntr

Candy, Christmas, and More Fun Things to Do
http://bit.ly/hcPJ4F

Young PWD receive "Blissful Bedrooms"
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/19/132137943/every-young-person-deserves-a-blissful-bedroom

Alison Durham
http://tinyurl.com/AlsnDrhm80wDS
Woman w/ Down syndrome in Australia celebrates 80th birthday

Appropriate interactions between kids and dogs
http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com
Do not teach children to 'smooch' or hug any dog, even at home:

Avoid This Christmas Gift: Smooches and Pooches
This Children's Book Can Cause Your Dog to Bite Your Kid
http://ow.ly/3qNA7

Browse educational toys
http://tinyurl.com/FunEduToys
Remember your favorites may be marked down in After Christmas sales!
Your local stores may be offering great deals this week, too.

Mother's voice plays special role in activating language
learning centers in babies brain
http://tinyurl.com/2ddsj2e

Continuing to achieve more for children with Down Syndrome
during 2010 and beyond - with your help
http://tinyurl.com/2cnprfv

From Another Piece of the Puzzle: Book Review:
Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom
http://j.mp/hD69db

DiabetesHealth:
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is Introduced
http://bit.ly/hgYaZo

Bridge Disabilities Ministries
http://www.bridgemin.org/pdfs/2010FallNewsletter.pdf
About 4500 in WA state need a guardian, can't afford 1

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
http://youtu.be/SXh7JR9oKVE?a

How to Track Your Child's iPhone, iPod Touch
http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-everything/momsdads.html

GPS phone locator review: http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200941/4551/Review-Verizon-Wireless-Family-Locator-and-Usage-Controls

ConanOBrien: When they’re not fighting or racing light cycles,
I’ll bet the citizens of TRON spend a lot of time on the phone
with tech support.

Amazon Big Deals of the Day:
I love the toys and tools - probably why I lack jewelry.
Enjoy! But remember to shop local when possible
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=384082011&tag=specialneed0e-20

Via Eva's Heroes:
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. - Carl Jung

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Special Needs Children located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Pamela Wilson, Special Needs Children Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com