What 10-12-Year-Olds Really Think
Findings from the fourth annual Small Voices, Big Dreams survey, commissioned by the ChildFund Alliance, uncovered the unique views of today’s 10-12-year-olds. Their ideas on violence, peace, heroes and happiness were explored in a survey that included nearly 6,500 children from 47 countries (36 developing; 11 developed), including 202 Australians. Read full article
Movie About Life of Nelson Mandela at Sydney Cinema
This is a fundraiser to support Tanya Allen and Yvette Vignando’s travel to Africa to raise money for UNICEF. We are participating in UNICEF’s Climb for Kids 2014. Long Walk to Freedom is a chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Read full article
Seven Top Tips for a Happy Family This Week
Two recent articles published online about simple things that make people happy got us thinking here at happychild – what can parents do this week that will help their children feel happiness? We’ve combined the best of both articles (they are hyperlinked below), mixed with our own expertise and come up with a top tips list of simple things parents can do this week to put happiness back on a busy agenda. This is not about chasing happiness, that obscure ideal we think everyone else is enjoying; this is about being open to the happiness that is present to us each and every day, if we choose to accept it. Read full article
Landfill Children’s Orchestra – Musical Inspiration for Children
Headlined as "The world sends us garbage, we send back music" – watch as these children create their beautiful music via Landfill Harmonic. " In the barrios of Paraguay, a humble garbage picker uses his ingenuity to craft instruments out of recycled materials – and a youth orchestra is born. Music arises and children find new dreams." Read full article
Infectious Baby Laughter – a Funny Power Drill
Watch a baby laugh hysterically at the short burst of noise from a small power drill. We are a big fan of baby’s laughter here at happychild. Send this to anyone who needs a smile on their face today. Short one minute video. Read full article
Baby Vervet Monkeys for your Dose of Cute
Some furry baby monkeys frolicking – waste a bit of time with your toddler or preschooler watching these cuties playing together. Remind you of anyone? Read full article
Four Babies Laughing – Can’t Ask For More
I confess this was located by HuffPost Parents and I full acknowledge their cleverness in finding this. Surely this will go viral – an adorable one minute of video – quadruplet boys laughing at their dad. I still remember how beautiful and special it was when our three babies laughed at us. Read full article
Take a Seat – Make a Friend – Try this in a School?
A beautiful video from Soul Pancake called "Take a Seat – Make a Friend". We think this would be a brilliant exercise for a Primary or Elementary school to help children get to know each other, make friends, and appreciate diversity. This is great. Take 5 minutes and enjoy this. Read full article
Helicopter Parenting – Why Is It Still the Mother’s Fault?
I live in a small town way out in the country where – it’s true – debates about helicopter parenting are pretty rare. Here packs of sunburned kids ride helmetless around our winding roads, the wind blowing through their sweaty hair, the sun reflecting off their freckled faces…When Catherine Deveny decries helicopter parents and all their associated neuroses, she avoids the very persistent reality for many mothers: that of an oppressive sense of responsibility. Read full article
Is Your Dad this Cool? Sending a Toy Train into Space
On Aug 24th 2012 Ron Fugelseth, Creative Director at Oxygen Productions Inc sent his son’s favourite train ‘Stanley’ to space in a weather balloon with a HD camera and an old cell phone for GPS. He was recovered 27 miles away in a corn field and they filmed some great footage of the trip. This video documents the journey from liftoff to landing. Spotted by Carol Duncan – the video, not the train. Read full article
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