In the prime of second grade, my son's handwriting is still a challenge to behold much less to read--and I see no reason to expect dramatic improvement. In fact, when I asked the principal about the teaching of handwriting, the message was that pedagogy was moving in the direction of emphasizing keyboard skills, not traditional handwriting skills.

"But you're the parent," she said, "you can do what you want at home."

I took that as my cue...[more here]

*The Off-Broadway hit Freckleface Strawberry, based on Julianne Moore's children's book, is about a girl who learns to love her freckles. We have two family 4-packs to give away! To enter, write on our Facebook Page telling us something adorable about your kid. Then, email us with the subject line "Freckleface Strawberry." Deadline is Friday, March 2.

*Are you ready to "1-2-3...Imagine!" with Elmo & friends at Sesame Street Live? Through February 26, the high-energy production for families is at Madison Square Garden. New York Family readers can save up to 40% using the discount code: NYFAM. Purchase your tickets here.

*In most cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator is someone the child already knows--within the family or local community. But talking to children in age-appropriate ways about sexual abuse is a key step toward helping them prevent it. Whether your kid is three or thirteen, we hope you'll take a minute to read My Body Belongs To Me and pass it along to other parents.    

*What's not to love about movies? Beyond the Hollywood blockbusters, a number of important city cultural hubs, including Film Society of Lincoln Center (with extra programming for midwinter break right now!) and MoMA, now offer really good film series meant for parents and children to share. Check out Screen This to find out what's happening on the silver screen in NYC.

*These luxe hippo bookends can serve to prop up your home library. Crafted from faux-leather, these jungle-worthy friends from Serena & Lily are weighted to hold books in place while adding exotic fun to any stuffed animal menagerie. $54-58, serenaandlily.com

*Calling all little Picassos! Jewelry line Formia Design enables your child's artwork to be turned into one-of-a-kind pendants, bracelets, cufflinks, earrings and more. Now you can perfectly preserve your son or daughter's art as a piece of silver or gold. Price varies, formiadesign.com 

*Eaten all your Valentine's chocolate already? Get your next fix with Jennifer Clair's 5-minute chocolate fondue on our Yummy Delicious blog.   

Best of (The Rest Of) The Web 

*Hearing parents fight may not be all that bad for kids. Lessons in expressing oneself emotionally are to be learned. (NY Times)

*Baby buddies! Littlest ones can form friendships before they are even able to speak. (Yahoo)

For more of our favorite articles from the web this week, click here. 

Private School Edge