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Jan
11
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)

Gives parents quick access to pediatrician-approved health information for infants and toddlers;
WebMD survey shows new parents overwhelmingly want more information to care for their babies

New York, NY (January 11, 2012) /PRNewswire/ — WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq: WBMD), the leading source of health information announced today its new WebMD Baby App for iPhone and iPod touch, a free mobile application for parents of infants and toddlers. WebMD Baby gives new parents quick and reliable access to pediatrician-approved baby health and wellness information anywhere, anytime. WebMD Baby content was created exclusively for the app and is personalized for a baby’s specific age, helping to ensure new parents are one step ahead of their baby’s growth and development.

“Babies change rapidly in their first two years of life, challenging new parents to keep up with their baby’s nutrition, health, sleep and development – all of which are essential for a happy and healthy baby and parent,” said Dr. Hansa Bhargava, a pediatrician and WebMD medical editor, pediatrics. “The WebMD Baby App helps keep parents informed with easily accessible baby health and wellness information that they can trust.”

Helping Babies Be the Healthiest They Can Be
In a recent survey conducted by WebMD, one in three parents (35 percent) say they have wanted to ask their pediatrician a question during at least one visit, but did not because they were uncomfortable or unsure of its relevance. With quick and easy access to trusted information through the WebMD Baby App, parents can anticipate their baby’s next growth or development stage and be as informed as possible to make the most of their pediatrician visits.

Overall, the WebMD Baby Health Wellness Survey, which polled more than 1,000 parents of infants to 2-year-olds, overwhelmingly found that parents want more information to better care for their babies, and they are spending a considerable amount of time seeking guidance on the changes during the first two years of life.

Other key survey findings include:

  • Almost half of the parents (47 percent) wish they had a pediatrician in their pocket once a week or more to get information about immediate health or developmental concerns.
  • The majority of parents (55 percent) find themselves researching information almost daily regarding the health, development or sleep for their baby/toddler.
  • The majority of parents (54 percent) believe the length of time between doctor’s visits leaves them wanting additional trusted information about the health and care of their baby/toddler.
  • One-third of parents (34 percent) agree they often feel they don’t know what to expect when it comes to their baby or toddler’s milestones.

The WebMD Baby App provides parents with easy access to pediatrician-developed content, including key features such as:

  • Personalized and pediatrician-approved health and wellness information for baby and toddler to keep new parents one step ahead of their baby’s growth and development, anywhere and anytime and enables more informed pediatrician visits. For babies 0-1, a new health and wellness tip is sent to the app every day, as well as more in-depth content every week. For babies and toddlers ages 1-2, information relevant to their age is sent to the app monthly. WebMD’s tips and information on the app can be easily shared through email, Facebook or Twitter.
  • Streamlined search capabilities that help parents find immediate, trusted answers to their baby health and wellness questions with physician-reviewed answers. Information is organized by easy-to -understand topics (feeding and nutrition, growth and development, vaccines) and by the baby’s age, simplifying a parent’s search for trusted answers to immediate baby health and wellness questions.
  • Baby routine and record keeper that gives parents and caregivers a snapshot of baby’s health and wellness by allowing them to easily record and share baby’s routine (feeds, diaper changes, sleep). A personal growth chart for baby/toddler is also integrated into the app allowing information to be easily added right from the pediatrician’s office.
  • Baby book feature that allows parents to capture baby’s memorable moments including baby’s “firsts” with videos or photos taken on the spot or pulled from their iPhone library. Baby book memories can be shared with family and friends through email or Facebook as they happen.

The WebMD Baby App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. Detailed information on the app is available at www.webmd.com/babyapp.

WebMD Baby Health Wellness Survey Methodology
On behalf of WebMD, KRC Research conducted a national online survey of 1,001 parents of children ages 2 or younger between November 15- 21, 2011. Respondents, 18 and older, were selected among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys. Quotas were set for parent gender and region to best reflect the population of parents with children 2 and younger.

About WebMD
WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq: WBMD) is the leading provider of health information services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers, and health plans through our public and private online portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications. The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, MedicineNet, emedicineHealth, RxList, theheart.org and Medscape Education.

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Jan
11
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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DULUTH, Ga., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), an IACET approved, nationally accredited, distance training institution dedicated exclusively to the child care industry, is proud to announce that its students have completed more than 600,000 professional development hours and over 4,200 certificate programs online.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111019/MM90221LOGO)

As CCEI enters its seventh year of offering quality online coursework for the child care industry, students continue to appreciate the competency-based, self-paced coursework that allows them to fulfill their training requirements at home, work, or anywhere they have Internet access. Organizations and individuals across the country choose CCEI for its professional development courses and certificate programs. In addition to adding many new industry-relevant courses to the catalog throughout the year, CCEI recently introduced a national industry credential, the Early Childhood Credential, recognized by industry leaders as a stepping stone to an early childhood degree.

“CCEI continues to be a top provider in the early care industry for educating staff. We’re proud to provide high-quality, convenient, affordable education programs to educators and administrators as they work to provide a firm foundation for our nation’s children,” said Maria C. Taylor, President and CEO of ChildCare Education Institute.

All CCEI certificate programs and courses are available at www.cceionline.edu. Training hours may be purchased individually or as part of an annual individual or center-based subscription for unlimited access to the Professional Development Course Catalog.

About CCEI

ChildCare Education Institute provides quality, affordable professional development programs for continuing education. Over 100 English and Spanish online child care training courses are available online to meet annual licensing and Head Start training requirements, in addition to online certificate programs, such as the Online Child Development Associate (CDA), Online Director Certificate options, and several others. CCEI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, approved by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training to award IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and authorized under the Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990, license number 837. 

For more information, visit www.cceionline.edu or call 1.800.499.9907.

ChildCare Education Institute, LLC
3059 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30097
1.800.499.9907

SOURCE ChildCare Education Institute

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Jan
11
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)

— Companies Demonstrate Prototype Playset at CES 2012 —

LAS VEGAS — January 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Sesame Workshop, the producer behind Sesame Street, have joined forces to explore augmented reality experiences for children that encourage learning and imagination. A longtime advocate of embracing cutting-edge technologies to enrich children’s early learning experiences, Sesame Workshop teamed with Qualcomm to create a prototype playset that brings physical toys to life. The application will be demonstrated at International CES, Jan. 10-13, in Qualcomm’s exhibit (South Hall 3, Booth #30313).

The collaborative project explores the use of a tablet with a traditional playset to make children’s playtime more fun and educational. The prototype playset includes traditional elements such as common household objects, as well as figurines of classic Sesame Street characters Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie. Additionally, the demo includes a tablet and an application that uses Qualcomm’s newly branded Vuforia™ augmented reality platform. When the tablet is pointed at the playset, the pieces and the play environment come alive through the tablet’s camera, transforming the playset into an interactive experience.

“In the past, the only place toys came to life was on TV and in movies. Today, we are bringing that magic one step closer to reality,” said Jay Wright, senior director of business development at Qualcomm. “With the ability to recognize 3D objects, Qualcomm’s Vuforia platform will transform the play experience. Our collaboration with the Sesame Workshop is helping us demonstrate the power of augmented reality to enrich children’s lives.”

Sesame Street has a long history of using cutting-edge technology to address children’s developmental needs. Sesame Workshop’s programs and products are thoroughly researched and tested to ensure they engage children in a way that maximizes learning.

“Much of Sesame Workshop’s success can be attributed to our collaborative, research-intensive approach to the development of programs and activities,” said Terry Fitzpatrick, chief content and distribution officer, Sesame Workshop. “Qualcomm’s Vuforia platform offers a new dimension to mobile experiences. We think it can bring enhanced entertainment and educational benefits to children.”

Qualcomm’s award-winning Vuforia platform transforms real-world objects into interactive experiences for use in gaming, interactive media and instructional applications. With its industry-leading computer vision technology and support for more than 400 smartphones and tablets, Vuforia has been embraced by more than 17,000 developers and adopted by leading global brands to drive engagement with advertisements and product packaging. Additional information is available at www.qualcomm.com/vuforia.

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 150 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

###

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Vuforia is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Qualcomm Contacts:
Emily Kilpatrick, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com

Warren Kneeshaw, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com

Sesame Workshop Contact:
Beatrice Chow, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-212-875-6586
Email: beatrice.chow@sesame.org

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Jan
11
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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Joined by Superstar Shaquille O’Neal’s Holiday Alter-Ego, Shaq-A-Claus, Company Helped Spread Holiday Cheer to Kids in Need with More Than 400,000 Toys Collected in “R”Us® Stores Nationwide

WAYNE, N.J., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Toys”R”Us, Inc. today announced that its eighth annual fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was its most successful to date, raising $4 million and collecting more than 400,000 toys to help make the holidays brighter for kids in need across the United States. During the nine-week campaign, Toys”R”Us® and Babies”R”Us® stores nationwide served as THE holiday giving headquarters as they collected new, unwrapped toy donations. Customers also made monetary contributions in stores and online at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots through Christmas Eve.

To jump-start this year’s campaign, the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys”R”Us, Inc., provided a $250,000 grant to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Also, to further demonstrate the company’s commitment to spreading holiday cheer to some of America’s neediest children, Toys”R”Us donated more than $250,000 worth of toys to Toys for Tots.

“At Toys”R”Us, it’s our mission to help kids in times of need, and with more than 16 million children now living in poverty in the United States, raising money and collecting toys was more important than ever before in helping to put smiles on the faces of less fortunate children during this holiday season,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “We are incredibly proud that this year’s Toys”R”Us Toys for Tots campaign was the most successful in company history due in large part to the overwhelming support of our customers and our employees across the country. This collective commitment to helping children in need ensured millions of kids – who otherwise might have gone without – had a toy to open on Christmas morning.”

For a third consecutive year, NBA legend, philanthropist and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal readied himself as his holiday alter-ego, Shaq-A-Claus, to build on his decades-long history of spreading Christmas cheer. Shaq-A-Claus encouraged Toys”R”Us customers, as well as fans, to give back to children in need.

“It’s very important to me that every child experience the magic of receiving a present under the Christmas tree, and that’s why I decided Toys”R”Us needed a Shaq-sized hand to help raise donations for Toys for Tots,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “I am truly grateful to everyone who joined me in giving back this holiday season – a Shaq-tastic job by all!”

To broaden this campaign’s digital reach, the company teamed up with LivingSocial to spread awareness and encourage monetary donations. LivingSocial U.S. members were asked to contribute $5 to Toys for Tots, with each individual donation then matched by Toys”R”Us with $5 worth of toys, up to $250,000. Also, Shaq-A-Claus made an appearance on the company’s official Facebook fan pages, Facebook.com/Toysrus and Facebook.com/Babiesrus, where he challenged his fans to join him in making a difference.

As the largest retail partner in the history of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Toys”R”Us has raised over $27.6 million and collected more than 3.4 million toys since the partnership began in 2004.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys”R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 870 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 600 international stores and over 150 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys”R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys”R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

SOURCE Toys”R”Us, Inc.

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Jan
11
By: kathy | Discussion (0)


LONDON |
Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:38am EST

LONDON (Reuters) – British comedian Ronnie Corbett has been given the all clear by doctors after collapsing while out celebrating his inclusion on the New Year Honours List, according to reports.

His wife Anne told the Croydon Advertiser that the 81-year-old, most famous as the diminutive half of the popular television comedy duo The Two Ronnies, fell ill at a local restaurant and was taken to hospital.

From there he was transferred to a private clinic which discharged him last week.

“He was absolutely delighted to receive the honor but that has been tempered by him not feeling so well,” his wife said of Corbett being named a CBE in recognition of his services to entertainment and charity.

Corbett had been taking medication after a recent knee operation which may have contributed to his illness, she explained.

“He has undergone a number of tests and all the results have come back clear, which is good news,” said Anne, Corbett’s wife of nearly 50 years. “He is now just resting but I think he will have to slow down a bit. He is 81 and he never stops.”

According to the Sun newspaper, the Edinburgh-born entertainer is expected to return to work with an after-dinner speech on Saturday.

His agent was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

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