Playgrounds: They’re safer but still can be dangerous
Playgrounds have come a long way from the asphalt jungle gyms of the 1960s and 1970s. Monkey bars and hot metal slides have virtually disappeared. They’ve been replaced by colorful plastic castles with guardrails and ramps and rounded edges. And instead of blacktop and concrete, many new playgrounds are covered with soft wood mulch or springy rubber chips made from recycled tires. Yet in spite of these improvements, many playgrounds still fall short on safety, experts say. -USA Today

New study finds fathers’ involvement key to effective parenting, programs
Fathers are typically underserved in a majority of programs for low-income families with young children, but getting fathers more involved in parenting leads to physically and emotionally healthier children, a new study has found.