Blog Posts by Common Sense Media

Hugo has been making waves with families and critics since Christmas -- and now it's leading the list of Oscar nominees with 11 Academy Award nods, including Best Picture and Best Director. If you plan to catch up on Oscar faves before the big show on Feb. 26, this is the one to see -- and don't forget to bring the kids. You may have heard buzz about the movie's directing and cinematography, but it's Hugo's role models, messages, and stellar storytelling that won our hearts.


What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this book-based period adventure about the art and magic of movies is rated PG, it may be a tad too mature for younger elementary school-aged kids. Between the orphaned main character (whose father dies in a fire), the looming threat of being sent to the orphanage by the mean station manager, and an extended sequence about the history of early film, it's unlikely that kids under 8 will follow the sophisticated story. Since author Brian

Why we got it:

I love hanging out with my kids. But I've learned that there are some activities that I enjoy a lot more than others. For instance, I love playing board games, but I loathe playing "school." Video games that we could play together seemed like a great way for us to have fun as a family doing something we could all enjoy.

What's great about it?

Since we set up the Wii, it's been even more fun than I imagined. First, creating our "Miis" or avatars -- which involves choosing facial features, hairstyles, etc. -- was the most fun we've had together in ages. It was belly laughs all around as we debated just how bald Daddy is or how thin my daughter's eyebrows are. But beyond those moments, I've seen the kids experience some deeper learning that I really value.

Cooperation: One of the first things I noticed as my son and daughter played side by side in Active Life Explorer, a semi-competitive active game, was how my daughter reacted to finishing in

Mid-season shows are starting to pop up on the schedule, so we're working through the new stuff to figure out what's worth sharing with kids and what's not. We've spotted a few good family-friendly picks in the upcoming week's TV schedule (Jan. 19-25) including new shows, favorite movies, and classics we love. As always, read the reviews to see if these shows are right for your family. Check your local listings for air times.

More: Discover TV's 10 Best Role Models for Kids

THURSDAY

American Idol , 10+ : J. Lo , Steven Tyler , and Randy Jackson are in Pittsburgh for the last auditions for the 11th season. Watch as the judges weed the talented from the just plain weird.

Secret Circle , 12+ : Cassie tries to figure out how her father died in order to prevent a witchy disaster. Who can she turn to for answers?

FRIDAY

Jessie , 7+ : Jessie and her group of young charges face new obstacles with optimism. The cheerful nanny helps Zuri open a lemonade stand inside

Common Sense Media offers tips and tricks for getting your kids on the reading path.

Kids become lifelong readers for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes there's one key book that captures a kid's imagination and opens him or her up to the exciting world of fiction. Other times, a teacher who assigns great books in class sparks a hunger for more big ideas and fine writing. In some cases, parents influence kids' appreciation of books by sharing their own love of literature and modeling reader behavior -- always having a book to read, taking books on vacation, reading before bedtime, making regular trips to the library and bookstore, etc.

Here are our best tips for nurturing a love of reading that can last a lifetime:

Read aloud: This comes naturally to lots of new parents, but it's important to keep it up. Kids will enjoy it longer than you think. For babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kids in early grade school, it's wonderful to have a kid on your lap, snuggled next to you on the couch, or drifting off to sleep in bed as you enjoy picture books together.

Common Sense Media offers a few new books to get your kids reading.

At every baby shower, amid all the cute onesies and fluffy toys, there's usually a small, flat package in the pile with Goodnight Moon or Pat the Bunny tucked inside. Savvy gift-giving moms know that reading with kids is as important as teaching them to throw a ball or eat their vegetables and can be as fun as a ticklefest.

It's a habit that comes naturally to most parents. I know I loved snuggling with my little ones on my lap, devouring a picture book -- or four -- or reading a story before bedtime. It's not only great for bonding, it can promote a lifelong love of reading.

As kids get older, they develop their own tastes and are always looking for something new. So we're starting a new monthly feature to highlight a few books for different ages -- some exceptional titles that could be the perfect thing to perk your kid's interest, get your reader hooked on a new author, or rediscover an old favorite. Here are our picks for January:

• An outstanding picture book for

Know about the devices your kids are using.

If your kids unwrapped high-ticket electronics this year, they were in good company. E-readers, tablet computers, fancy phones, hand-held game consoles, and even tricked-out learning tools for preschoolers were huge this holiday season.

This year's crop of devices offers great advantages -- like the ability to pack all of your kids' books into one tiny digital device or practice math drills en route to Grandma's house. But if you don't read all of the fine print (and, let's face it, who does?), these new products' high-tech bells and whistles may catch you off guard.

Often, it's not until your kids start taking advantage of the fancy features that you realize what the devices can do. That new tablet computer your daughter uses for book reports also lets her video chat with friends at midnight. The smartphone your son uses to text you for a ride also "helped" him rack up $60 in charges playing a certain app with in-game purchases. And many high-tech devices require

Looking for a way to get your kids moving? Try one of these great fitness games -- the best of the best of the "active gaming" trend. From full-on workouts to dance-fueled fun, these active games are a great way to mix exercise and entertainment.

Be media-savvy about the devices your kids have.

If your kids unwrapped high-ticket electronics this year, they were in good company. E-readers, tablet computers, fancy phones, handheld game consoles, and even tricked-out learning tools for preschoolers were huge this holiday season.

This year's crop of devices offers great advantages -- like the ability to pack all of your kids' books into one tiny digital device or practice math drills en route to Grandma's house. But if you don't read all of the fine print (and, let's face it, who does?), these new products' high-tech bells and whistles may catch you off guard.

Often, it's not until your kids start taking advantage of the fancy features that you realize what the devices can do. That new tablet computer your daughter uses for book reports also lets her video chat with friends at midnight. The smartphone your son uses to text you for a ride also "helped" him rack up $60 in charges playing a certain app with in-game purchases. And many high-tech devices require consistent