We Wish You A

Merry Christmas!       

                                                                                          Happy Holidays!

            Happy Hanukkah!!!

                                Happy Kwanzaa!!

              Happy Winter Solstice!

Or whatever holiday you like to celebrate!

                And a Happy New Year!

His Day Is Done

A Tribute Poem for Nelson Mandela by Dr. Maya Angelou.  Moving beyond words.
Watch Here.

I Am His Social Worker

He doesn't do it for the money.  Bobby Lefebre, an award-winning spoken word artist, actor and social worker, reveals in this tremendous slam poetry performance his passion for impacting change through his profession as a social worker.  Brilliant and only four minutes.

This Will Astonish and Put a Smile on Your Face

Titus is about three years old basketball whiz who can sink baskets and trick shots from dizzying heights and he makes it look so simple.  He even takes on Bradley Cooper.
Watch Here.

Toward A World Free from Violence:  Global Survey on Violence Against Children

This is the first comprehensive attempt to assess progress in preventing and eliminating violence against children since the groundbreaking 2006 UN Study on Violence against Children.   Preparations for the Global Survey began in 2011, five years after the submission of the Study to the General Assembly.
Read the Full Report.

Does My Goldfish Know Who I Am?

How we can be sure that life isn't just a dream?  Why we don't have memories from the time we were babies and toddlers?   What do newspapers do when there is no news?  Do animals like cows and sheep have accents?  Children's funny, poignant, innocent yet insightful questions about science and how life works, answered by celebrated minds.
Read More.

Transgender Children in Canada to Get More Support, Expert Says

A network of support for transgender children is growing in Canada, at clinics working to help youth transition from one gender to another.  But critics say it raises ethical questions about when children are able to make medical decisions.
For Full Report.

Youth Leadership Grants

The Starbucks Foundation is interested in supporting organizations that equip young people ages 15 to 24 years old in the three following areas: Business Savvy: Having the ability to leverage opportunities with integrity and innovation; to make good decisions and achieve results.  Social Conscience: Valuing the impact an individual and enterprise can have on the community.  Collaborative Communication: Engaging others in an inclusive manner across teams, functions and cultures; ability to leverage new and creative ways of communication.

Straight No Chaser

Probably the best rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas you will ever hear.  Clever and funny.
Watch Here.

One in Seven Canadian Kids Living in Poverty

There are 967 000 children in Canada living in poverty - 24 years after federal pledge to eradicate it.  38.2% of children of single mother in Ontario are living in poverty.
Read more here.

Canada's Youngest Entrepreneurs Get a Head Start at School

Millennial's are twice as likely as the average Canadian to start a business in the next 12 months.  It turns out that Generation Y, the under 30 crowd that is often maligned as lazy and self-serving, may be full of would-be entrepreneurs who are embracing the idea of being their own bosses.
Read more here.

B.C. has Canada's Highest Child Poverty Rate

First Call:  BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, released a report last Tuesday based on Statistics Canada data that shows more than 18% of children in the province live below the low-income cut off, which is synonymous with the poverty line.
Read More Here.

Solving Canada's Adoption Problem

There are a couple of things about children in care that most Canadians don't know.  If they "age out" of care at age 16 or 17, without becoming part of a family, the odds rise dramatically that they will fall prey to many social ills.  Criminal activity, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, teen pregnancy - all become more likely.  Ironically, this is likely to lead to another generation of children living out their lives in foster or institutional care, as their parents won't be able to provide for them.
Read More Here

A Reader Sent This In

Some information to help you navigate the internet with teens.

Hacking My Education

When 13 year old Logan LaPlante grows up, he wants to be happy and healthy.  He discusses how hacking his education is helping him achieve his goal.  A great way to spend 11 minutes and remember Logan is 13!
View Video Here.

"This is a Story of a Mother's Love For Her Baby."

Photographer and videographer Benjamin Scot of Columbus, Ohio, documented his son's first days in the neonatal intensive care unit all the way to the moment when Ward Miles Scot celebrated his first birthday at home.  Very moving!
Watch Here.

Little Girl Shares Her Wisdom About Having an Adopted Brother with Down Syndrome

Five-year-old Ace Eicher shares her feelings on why she loves her adopted brother with Down syndrome.. Even thought she doesn't understand everything, she knows enough to impart words of wisdom that will bring tears to your eyes.  Beautiful.
Watch Here.

Why We Procrastinate

Vik Nithy is the founder of 3 companies at the age of 20 including his own marketing consulting firm.  His life after school Vik has been extremely successful despite being diagnosed with ADHD after finishing his school exams.  Developing his passion for cognitive neuroscience, educational reform and the potential of young people
Watch Here.

Band of Elementary Schoolmates Rally Around Boy to Stop Teasing

After the group of fifth-grade football players from Massachusetts found out their 6 year old water boy was being teased for his attire and speech, they played great defines and showed their support in a novel way.
For More.

Children's Fitness Levels Declining Worldwide

A new study analyzed 50 studies on running fitness involving 25 million children ages 9 to 17 in 28 countries from 1964-2010.  In looking at how far children could run in 5 to 15 minutes and how quickly they ran distances ranging from half a mile to two miles, researchers discovered today's children are about 15% less fit than their parents were at their age.
For More.

This is Brilliant... "How to Change the World"

Kris Bronner is 18 years old and is also the innovator of the world's first levitating food.  Kris is a  co-creator of UNREAL ™  Brands, a mission-based company dedicated to proving that junk food, a leading contributor to the diabetes and obesity epidemic, can be "unjunked."  This past summer, UNREAL ™  launched with five reinvented versions of America's favourite candies in  25 000 stores nationwide.  These candies are sold side by side with the originals, cost the same, and we think tastes as good.  Such an amazing presentation.  Don't miss it.

TEDxYouthOttawa

During the 2011 reading of the throne speech today, a young page by the name of Brigitte Depape was yanked from the Senate Chamber as she tried to hold up a stop sign placard reading "Stop Harper."  A few months earlier Brigitte was a speaker at TEDxOttawaYouth, the first TEDx youth conference in Canada.  Watch a slightly different Brigitte in action.

And Then at TEDxTeen

Young Jacob Barnett, tells you to "Forget what  you know."  Jacob is autistic and was 13 when he made this presentation.  
Watch Here.

More About Jacob

Read more about Jacob and the Canadian connection in this fascinating recent MacLeans article.

Doing The Splits Like You May Have Never Seen Before

Jean-Claude Van Damme does the splits between two reversing trucks.  It's only a minute but it's a fascinating one.
Watch Here.

Excellent Website

Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) ignites young peoples Creative Confidence - the ability to harness creative skills to solve problems - using advanced digital media tools and tested storytelling techniques.  AYV is the Adobe Foundation's  global initiative to increase creativity.  Youth develop original media that highlights an issue they care about, identify solutions, and in the process foster critical creative skills and a passion to make a difference.
Visit Youth Voices

Sask. Government Wants Kids to Report Bullying Online

The government says it will create an anonymous online reporting tool for the reporting of bullying incidents.  It's part of an anti-bullying plan unveiled thursday by Education Minister Don Morgan.
For More:

B.C. School Bans Kindergarteners From Touching Each Other

A Langley elementary school has banned kindergarten students from touching each other at recess, a policy some parents think is both unnecessary and unworkable.
Read More.

Amira Is Nine and She Has an Amazing Voice

Watch a star being born.  Did we mention she is self taught?

Home Depot Canada Commits $10 Million to Address Youth Homelessness

The Home Depot Foundation has announced a three-year, $10 million initiative to address the problem of youth homelessness in Canada.  In addition to matching homelss youth with employment opportunities, the initiative will provide support for drop-in centres, shelters, and infrastructure for permanent housing.
 For More.

Baby Girl Gets All Emotional Listening to Her Mother Sing

Ten-month old Mary Lynne Leroux is moved to tears by her mother Amanda's angelic rendition of the Rod Stewart single "My Heart Can't Tell You No."
Watch Here.

A Job for New Graduates: Fix Canada's Education Gaps

Only 40% of First Nations students living on reserves graduate from high school.  And their numbers are about to explode.  So it might seem counterintuitive to send teachers with zero experience or even a teaching degree - to help boost their educational prospects.  But a new organization called Teach For Canada, thinks idealistic young grads are just the leaders these students need.
Read More.

Is Our Connected World Behind The Youth Movement in Canadian Politics?

When 34-year old Don Ivesson was elected may of Edmonton earlier this month, many people noted his age with interest.  However, Ivesson said that Edmontonians simply saw past his age and voted for thoughtful ideas and his plan for the future.  Still, some pundits took his success to signal a "generational shift" in voters.
Read More.

Young Business Owners More Ambitious than Older Peers

A new poll has found that business owners under 35 are the most likely to be planning a business expansion, suggesting the group is not only optimist about the marketplace but also experiencing results.
Read More.

Canada Post Gives Back to Youth

Groups that have a project that positively impacts kids in the community might want to access funding available through the Canada Post Community (CPC) Foundation.  The Foundation has raised over $8.4 million, Canada-wide, since its inception in 2007.  This year, $1.5 million in grants went to 109 organizations throughout Canada.
For More:

RBC Committing $100 M Over 5 Years to Help Kids

Canada's largest bank says it's committing itself to provide $100 million over five years to fund donations, sponsorships, youth employment initiatives and other investments geared to the well-being of children and youth.
Read More.

A Very Cool Canadian Website

Startup Canada is a national, grassroots, volunteer-led movement to enhance the nation's competitiveness and prosperity through uniting and strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystem and promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial culture to create unified brand as a rallying point for Canadians.
Visit the site.

New UK Resources to Support Suicide Prevention

A training program to support suicide prevention, "Youth self-harm and suicide awareness", has also been recently launched in the UK.  It seeks to increase participants knowledge and understanding about youth suicide and to look at developing youth suicide prevention guidelines and support within local areas and organizations.
Learn More.

Russell Brand At His Nuttiest and His Best!

The controversial comedian-turned actor has been making headlines this week after an interesting interview with the BBC's Jeremy Paxman about starting the revolution.  Paxman made the mistake of assuming that just because Brand doesn't vote, he doesn't understand what's going on, and boy did Russell have a good time proving him wrong!  If you get a chance to read the fascination Brand article in the New Statesman and see how his argument appeals to young people.

Halloween Treats Gone Wrong

With Halloween just around the spooky, poorly lit corner, Crest decided to play a little trick on the littlest Halloweeners by switching their candy with terrible tasting "veggie-flavored treats."  Funny!


UK Report Into Cyberbullying Calls for Immediate Action From Social Media Sites

The British youth anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label has recently released the results of its Annual Cyberbullying Survey, and says that there is still a long way to go to eliminate bullying in the cyber world.
An easy to read report.

Canada Could Use a Resource Like This One!

For an American view of the youth sector, it is worth looking at the National Clearinghouse on Family & Youth website, which is a service provided by the US Family and Youth Services Bureau within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Website Here.



Two Very Cool Dudes

Malcolm Brickhouse and Jarad Dawkins are middle school students and metal heads with ambition.
Watch Them Rock!

Any Tuesday - Elton John and Hamie Foxx Talk Homeless LGBT Youth

A moving new PSA, featuring Elton Joh and other stars, is shining a spotlight on the issue of homeless LGBT youth in Los Angeles.
Watch Here

A Father Photographs the World of his Autistic Son

Timothy Archibald started photographing his autistic son Elijah when he was 5 years old.  His aim was to document the often bizarre and incomprehensible world of his son but the project developed into much more.  Poignant beyond words.

A Humbling 3 Minutes

Who cares what it smells like, it's what it sounds like that matters.  We have shown this before but it's worth many viewings.
Watch Here.

Parents of Bullies To Be Fined For Their Kids' Bad Behaviour

Police in Monona, Wisc., have thought of a unique way to tackle the problem of bullying by going straight to the parents.  Adults whose children intimidate others with be ticketed and fined for failing to properly respond to the behaviour.
Read More.

The Cup Song - "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone"

"Cups" also known as "Cups (Pitch Perfect's When I'm Gone)" is a song by America actress Anna Kendrick from the film Pitch Perfect.  Here it is sung in Gaelic by a huge group of students in a school in Ireland and it is simply wonderful.  Will bring a smile to your face.

Watch it Here

And if you like that, Try This


10 Psychological Studies That Will Change What You Think You Know About Yourself

Aside from providing fodder for stimulating cocktail-party conversations, some of the most famous psychological experiments of the past century reveal universal and often surprising truths about human nature.
A Fascinating Article.

Young Business Owners More Ambitious Than Older Peers

A new poll has found that business owners under 35 are the most likely to be planning a business expansion, suggesting the group is not only optimistic about the marketplace but also experiencing results.
Read More

Excellent Item from Micheal Kirby

Why we are failing young Canadians on Mental Health and What Canada can do about it.
Read Item Here

19 Leadership Lessons Learned Through a Youth-led Organization

Christina Buiza, a student at Simon Fraser University, spent four years taking roles in the corporate-facing side of AIESEC, and multiple leadership experiences.  She reached out to her network across Canada to hear about her colleagues' most important leadership lessons they wanted to share with the world.  We like what AIESEC does.
Read More Here

Potty Talk

A 3 year old ponders the consequences of his dietary decisions whiles going to the bathroom...
Funny!

Flavoured Tobacco Picked by 52% of Teen Smokers in Survey

More than half of high school students surveyed in Canada who used tobacco said they tried candy-flavoured products, say health groups calling for a ban on all such products.  "Urgent and compelling need" to ban flavoured tobacco products: Canadian Cancer Society.
Read More Here

Teen Binge Drinking

A University of Michigan study published online in JAMA Paediatrics finds that 10% of high school seniors have engaged in extreme binge drinking, drinking 10 or more alcoholic drinks in a single sitting.
Read More Here.

Transgender Youth Clinic Opens at Sick Kids

The clinic at Sick Kids Hospital officially opened on Friday and administrators say it will help fill an important gap in car for teens with gender dysphoria
Read More Here

Brave

Patients and staff members of the Cancer Unit at the University of Minnesota HOspital show off their talents in a performance of Brave by Sara  Bareilles.
Inspiring!

Amazing Ants

Have you ever dreamed of shrinking yourself so you could go inside an ant colony and see exactly what they do in there?
Watch Here!

Charity Lobbies for $100M National Youth Mental Program

The Right! By You Campaign is urging the federal government to contribute $100 million to the fund over the next four years and is also calling on provincial governments to double, by 2016, the number of children receiving mental health services by contributing $1 000 per child, the equivalent of eight treatment sessions.
Read More.
Right By Youth Website.

More Than $300 000 Granted to Five Canadian Service-Learning Projects

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board (Yes, a board comprised of youth 17-20) issued grants totaling $318 527 in service learning grants to assist five Canadian youth focused projects designed to tackle issue and support community improvements.
Read More.

L'eggo That Logo: Are Brands Losing Lustre Among Youth?

A surprising nationwide study shows big-brand fixation is eroding among students aged 14 to 24, portending a possible return to consumer pragmatism and less youth concern over wearing the "right" labels.  Market researchers describe it as a changing of the guard, with flagship brands who've thus far gotten a "free ride" - Apple, they're looking at you - being eschewed for those driven by value, innovation or individuality.
For More.

Canada Needs a Comprehensive Review System for Child and Youth Deaths

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in Canadian children and youth.  Other major causes of death include sudden death in infancy, congenital and medical disorders, suicide and homicide.  Although many deaths are preventable, there are currently no national standards for child death investigations in Canada

For More.

Boost For Kids

A new Child & Youth Advocacy Center opened its doors this week - the centre is a creative community response to child abuse investigations.  It's a partnership among local community and government agencies and brings together all professionals involved in child abuse cases to one location.    A CYAC is child-friendly, accessible and safe for children who are victims and their families.
Visit the site.

Morocco Teens Held For Kissing Photo on Facebook

A Moroccan boy and girl have been arrested for posting a photograph of themselves kissing online.

Pot Use May Permanently Damage The Teenage Brain

Teenagers who use marijuana may cause permanent damage to their brains, according to a new study.  "Children who start using marijuana around pre-adolescence, 13 to 15 years of age, tend to develop effects that include a high incidence of schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder as well as long term and permanent reductions in intelligence measured by IQ tests.
For More

Internet Porn - Sex, Lies and Social Media

If you're between 8 and 18, you spend more than 11 hours a day plugged into an electronic device.  The average teen now spends nearly every waking moment on a smart phone, or computer or watching TV.  This seismic shift in how kids spend their time is having a profound effect on the way they make friends, the way they date, and their introduction to the world of sex.
Frightening!

Writer, Comic and Mental Health Activist Kevin Breel Speaks Up About Depression

Kevin Breel didn't look like a depressed kid: team captain, funny, smart and confident.  But he tells the story of the night he realized that - to save his own life - he needed to say four simple words.
  For more

Tragic Causes of Youth Suicide More Complicated Than Cyberbullying

A report on child and teen suicides released this week by the B.C. Coroners Service makes it clear that there is no youth suicide epidemic and, when it comes to causes, bullying is low on the list.  The report looked at the 91 BC children between the ages of 10 and 18 who committed suicide between 2008 and 2012 out of a youth population estimated at 450 000.

The Young and the Jobless

In 2013, the unemployment rate for Ontario youth aged 15-24 fluctuated between 16% and 17.1%, trending above the Canadian range of 3.5% and 14.5% and placing Ontario as the worst province outside Atlantic Canada for high youth unemployment.  In some cities (Windsor, Brandford, Oshawa, London) the rate exceeded 20% on par with the European Union.
See More

LGBTQ and Suicide

Every year, an average of five hundred Canadian youth take their own life. What is unknown, however, is how many of these youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, Two Spirit or queer, or are struggling with questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity.  What is apparent today is that LGBTQ youth experience a high degree of vulnerability to suicidal ideation and behaviour, particularly in comparison to their non- LGBTQ peers: approximately half of LGBT youth have thoughts about suicide, and they are over four times more likely to attempt suicide than their non-LGBT peers.
Read Report here.

First Responder

Fireman Cory Kalanick makes quite the rescue in less than a minute and it's quite moving.
Watch!

The Great Ellie Goulding - I Know You Care

A song for Syria from Save The Children UK -Recommended.

U.N. Report Finds Early Childhood Deaths Halved Since 1990

"Early childhood deaths around the world have been cut in half since 1990 but some 18 000 children under five still die every day, according to a new report.  Nearly half of children who die are in five countries: Nigeria, Congo, India, Pakistan and China.

The Fresh Face of Comedy

Children try out comedy - short and hilarious.

When Does "Sexting" Become Child Pornography in Canada?

B.C teen's lawyer argues exemptions should be made for youth.
Read More Here.

What I Do - A New Video From Ottawa about Bullying

The Joynt's latest release is "What I Do," a track featuring vocals by Maya Mayne.  It was inspired by the motivational talks Joynt has been giving at schools about rapping, stuttering and bullying.  The song was written by Peter Joynt and Connor Kehoe.

Watch!

Japanese Ingenuity and Perseverance

The audio-track is all in Japanese, but you can just read the subtitles and watch.
You will be amazed!

Western Research Finds Quebec's Family Policies Benefit Childbearing and Work, Not Child Development.

A new study from Western University reveals that Quebec's family policies promote childbearing and paid work, but do not strengthen child development as well as corresponding policies from the rest of Canada.

Why Mayors Should Rule the World

Political theorist Benjamin Barber suggests: Let's try giving mayors more control over global policy.  Barber shows how these 'urban homeboys' are solving pressing problems on their own turf - and maybe in the world.  It's a very thought provoking video. 

Girl's Suicide Points to Rise in Apps Used by Cyberbullies

In jumping, 12 year old Rebecca became one of the youngest members of a growing list of children and teenagers apparently driven to suicide, at least in part, after being maligned, threatened and taunted online, mostly through a new collection of texting and photo-sharing cellphone applications.
Read More

She's Alive - "The Greatest Threat To Our Planet is the Belief Someone Else Will Save It"

Beautiful...Finite...Hurting...Worth Dying For.  Watch

Video Game Takes Bold Step Against Youth Suicide

New interactive video launched this past week by the Hospital for Sick Children to help children express their emotions.
Click here for more.

Here's How To Get Young Canadians Voting - and Thinking About Democracy

Written by Canada's chief electoral officer, Marc Mayrand.
Click Here to Read More

Manitoba Anti-Bullying Bill Now Law, Endorses Gay-Straight Alliances

Manitoba's NDP government has passed an anti-bullying bill which requires to accommodate gay-straight alliances.
Click Here For More

World Child Mortality Rates Falling, But More Lives Could be Saved: UNICEF

A new report from UNICEF suggests efforts to end deaths of children under five years of age are seeing results, but millions of children remain at risk.
Click Here For More

The Scarecrow

One of the better infomercials...from Chipotle

Edmonton Mom Who Drowned Her Seven Year Old Son Not Criminally Responsible

32-year old woman admitted to the killing of her son but pleaded not guilty to a charger of first-degree murder, arguing that she had a mental disorder at the time.
Click Here For More

Heartfelt

A moving 60 seconds from the folks at Guinness...moving! You will want to share it!


When A Child Kills in Canada, There's No Sense of Justice

Nicholas Bala, Professor of Law at Queen's University and co-author of Youth Criminal Justice Law, writes on the killing of a six-year-old Saskatchewan boy by a child under the age of twelve.
Read More Here.

Suicide: What Can Parents and Guardians Do?

Tuesday, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, and Kids Help Phone wants to help parents and guardians everywhere to gain a better understanding of youth suicide and open up the lines of communication at home.
For More:

The Teenage Brain

Why do teenagers seem so much more impulsive, so much less self-aware than grown-ups?  Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically "teenage" behaviour is caused by the growing and developing brain.
See More Here:

Youth Unemployment Soars As Older Workers Take Jobs

A new report suggests that a growing number of older workers are taking on part-time jobs, which in turn is pushing up the unemployment rate among teenaged students.  The CIBC World Markets report says the unemployment rate for students aged 15 to 18 who are seeking part-time work has climbed to a record high of more than 20%.


I Forgot My Phone

A 2-minute video that reminds us to be where we are (a little more).  20 million views in two weeks.
Watch it here:


What Happened When a Girl from Attawapiskat Made her Voice Heard?

Eighty one year old director Alanis Obomsawin's documentary Hi-Ho Mistahey! Premieres at TIFF 2013.  Learn more and see the trailer.

Global Population Growth, Box by Box

The world's population will grow to 9 billion over the next 50 years - and only by raising the living standards of the poorest can we check population growth.  This is the paradoxical answer that Hans Rosling unveils in this fascinating TED Talk.  Check out the colourful new data display technology.

So Very Inspirational

If you only watch one video this week/month then let it be this one!

Jane and Finch: Toronto's Most Dangerous Place to be a Kid?

In this Jane and Finch community, four friends - 15, 5, 16 and 15 - have been shot and killed this year within blocks of each other.  Since 15-year-old Jordan Manners was gunned down inside his school has much changed?
Read More.

How Can Formula One Racing Help ... Babies?

During a Formula 1 race, a car sends hundreds of millions of data points to its garage for real-time analysis and feedback.  So why not use this detailed and rigorous data system elsewhere, like ... at a children's hospital?

Canada Only G8 Country Without National Meals Program For Kids

It's back-to-school time, so prepare the kids' lunch boxes, consider this: As many as one in seven Canadian children will go to school hungry, In some poorer communities, up to half make the trip to school with an empty belly.
Read More

The Fourth Dimension

Explained with great skill by a high school student with a great voice.
Watch Here

Prime Minister Says Tougher Laws Coming to Child Sex Offences

Child sex offenders, particularly those who victimize multiple kids, could spend longer in prison under a range of harsher penalties proposed Thursday by the Prime Minister.  The Conservative government plans to introduce legislation this fall aimed at cracking down on people who sexually exploit children, Stephen Harper announced last week.
Read More

MD's Warned of Rare Form of Child Abuse

Doctors need to be alert for signs of a form of abuse in which a parent fabricates illness in a child and exposes them to unnecessary and potentially harmful test and treatments, says the American Academy of Paediatrics.  Because it is relatively rare, caregiver-fabricated illness in a child is often unrecognized by health professionals, said Dr. Harriet MacMillan, co-author of the report in last weeks journal of Paediatrics.
Read More

Youth Summit in Russia

The Y20 Russia 2013 Youth Summit brought together more than one hundred participants from the "Group of Twenty" (G20) and from invited countries to discuss world economy issues and develop recommendations to address the G20 Leaders.  The final document will be handed to the G20 Leader.
Download the Communique

Young People in Ottawa Area Waiting 'too long'  For Mental Health Care

Hundreds of Ottawa-area young people are waiting a year or more to access mental treatment from an overloaded system that is in desperate need of more resources, according to a report from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Royal Mental Health Centre.
Read More

Ashton Kutcher Wins Teen Choice Awards

And he makes a startlingly good acceptance speech... not sure how many in the audience heard what he had to say though.  It's brief and surprisingly good.

Suicide Teens Reach Out Through Social Media, Not Suicide Hotlines

New research shows that teens and young adults are frequently using social networking sites and mobile technology to express suicidal thoughts and intentions as well as to reach out for help.  The findings suggest that suicide prevention and intervention efforts aimed at young adults should use social networking and other types of technology, said researchers.

Recommendations From National Bullying Symposium

The first national Bullying, Young People and the Law Symposium in Australia has published recommendations about how to tackle the complex question of bullying in the age of social media.  The recommendations include asking all governments within Australia to consider a 'specific, and readily understandable, criminal offence of bullying, including cyberbullying.'
Find out more:

While On The Subject of Speeches...

Here are the highlights from five 2013 commencement speeches including Melinda Gates, Stephen Colbert and Richard Costolo, Chief Executive at Twitter.

Ontario Teachers' Union Votes to Ban Cell Phones in Classrooms

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario voted to ban the use of cell phones in classrooms at their general meeting last week.  The new rules state that mobile devices should be turned off and stored during school hours, unless special permission is given.

Expert Urges 'Unified Approach' To Dealing With Bullies

While Canadian expert on bullying Wendy Craig applauds the provincial premiers' announcement that they intend to push to have bullying added to the Criminal Code, she is not without reservations.
Full Article.

Fascinating TED Talk...On So Many Levels

Working on Beau Lotto and Amy O'Toole's new TED talk, the team at Mozilla used their new web-based video editing/annotating tool, Popcorn Maker.  Watch Beau and Amy's talk below and click on the pop-ups to grab links to their papers, video, maps, Wikipedia references and much more data - as well as inspiring quotes from experts in the field of play and education.  Amy just happens to be one of the youngest presenters at TED.  It's truly a fascinating presentation.

Native Youth Suicide Stats Numbing: More Females Die Because Hanging Preferred Method

In the 100 years since Louis Riel was executed while fighting for native self-determination and native self-respect, Canada has come a long way.  We don't hang native men anymore.  Now 11 year old native boys hang themselves.

Student Selfies

More than half of students attend four-year colleges within 50 miles of home.  Then there are those who cross countries and oceans to make a cultural leap.  New and veteran students were asked to submit portraits of themselves in their home environment.  The result is a snapshot of cultural diversity.

An Excellent Convocation Address

George Saunders and the trouble with swimming in a rivers full of monkey feces.  Inspirational and then some... Recommended

I am Education: Kids Tell All

In the many debates and discussions about public education, the voices we hear the least are those of the actual kids whose futures are at stake.  What's it really like for an artistic kid at a school with no art classes or a talented student who struggles with high-stakes tests?  In this five part video series, five amazing kids tell their stories.


In the Key of Genius

Born three and a half months prematurely, Derek Paravicini is blind and has severe autism.  But with perfect pitch, innate talent and a lot of practice, he became an acclaimed concert pianist by the age of 10.  Here, his longtime piano teacher, Adam Ockelford, explains his students unique relationship to music, while Paravicini shows how he has ripped up the "Chopsticks" rule book.
Watch Here.

Connect Magazine

Connect is an independent bi-monthly publication supporting active student participation in primary and secondary schools.  It is a 'practice journal' that has been published in Australia since late 1979, and its online archives are absolutely rich with examples, stories, research, resources and a lot more.

Ontario Youth Jail Shouldn't Investigate Complaints Against Staff: Report

When teens at an Ontario youth detention centre complain about use of excessive force by staff or intrusive searches, the people investigating those claims should not be workers at the same facility, a new report recommends.

Moziah Bridges Began Sewing His Own Ties at Age 9.

He's now 11 and earning tens of thousands of dollars selling his creations.
More.

Prized Possessions

Photos of children from around the world with their most prized possessions.

Seniors in Canada at Higher Risk of Killing Themselves Than Teens

Studies show that Canada's elderly are at a much higher risk of suicide than adolescents, and their is growing concern among mental health experts that psychological care may be out of reach for most seniors.
Read More.

My Shoes!

A modern fable with a strong for kids...for us all!

Canada Loses by Continuing High Levels of Poverty

Across Canada, over four million people, including 922 000 children and their families, liven in poverty  according to 2011 data from Statistics Canada.  That's about one in eight people who are living in dire straits in our wealthy land.  Shamefully, B.C.'s rate is even worse at one in six people. Poverty rates are even higher among historically disadvantaged groups, including women, people with disabilities, immigrants, people of colour, and indigenous people.  That 40% of indigenous children in Canada live in poverty is one troubling example of the scope of poverty among particular groups.
Read More.

2013 Academy in Mental Health

Halifax's 3rd annual two day Academy in Mental Health wrapped up last week.  The Academy provided participants were with an arsenal of tools, information and techniques to help them better understand adolescent mental health and answer the recent call for more mental health training those working with youth.  Learn more about the Academy and youth mental health at the website.

BlackBerry and Free The Children Inspire Canadian Youth to Build-A-Village

For the third consecutive summer, BlackBerry®  and Free The Children will be sending 50 Canadian students on a Me to We life-changing volunteer trip to Kenya and Indian as part of the Blackberry® Build-A-Village Award Program.
Read More.

How A Penny Made Me Feel Like a Millionaire

A meditation on the bittersweet joys of childhood - and how to hold them in mind.  Short, sweet and powerful!
Watch

Our Baby's Illness

The parents thought their baby boy Mario was healthy -- until at 10 days old, they discovered he'd had a perinatal stroke.  With Mario unable to control the left side of his body, they grappled with tough questions: Would he be "normal?"  Could he live a full life?  The poignant story of parents facing their fears -- and how they turned them around.
A moving five minute video

Family Violence and Boys to Aggression and to Drug Problems

Boys exposed to familial violence, including conflict between siblings, become increasingly aggressive toward their peers at school, and this aggression is associated with greater levels of alcohol and drug use over time, a new study by a University of Illinois researcher suggests.
Read Full Article.

Study:  LGBT Youth Spend More Time Online and are More Bullied

A new study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network - Out Online: the experiences of LGBT youth on the internet - has revealed LGBT youth experience much higher rates of bullying online than their straight counterparts.
Full Article.

Important Report on Youth Unemployment

The UK think-tank, New Philanthropy Capital has released a publication that aims to help organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs to assist young people into employment.

Engaging Young People Through Social Media

A new report called "What makes you tweet?" Young peoples perspectives on the use of social media as an engagement tool, outlines new research findings into young people's use of social media and their perspectives about how government agencies and community organizations should use social media to communicate with them.
Interesting report and website.

Out of The Mouth of Babes

Kids react to controversial Cheerios commercial - much to be learned from this.
Watch Here.

Motivate Canada Announces Youth Leadership Initiative in Ontario

ACTIVATE Ontario, a relatively new initiative in its second year, seeks to engage and train teams of youth leaders to play an active role in improving the levels of physical activity, self-esteem, and leadership, and leadership of youth in their school and community has just received a significant multi-year grant from the Trillium Foundation.
More Here

A 14-year-old Burnaby Teen Creates New Solution to Help Schools Go Green

Tomas Lang, has created a simple solution to reduce waste at his school.  He's launched a "library" for event organizers to borrow commonly-used materials such as plates and silverware.

Getting Lots of Buzz On The Internet

A photo series portraying the elderly as they reflect on their younger selves in the mirror.  Gives you pause to think, about the passage of time and the live we are living.
Beautiful!

The Cost of Kids Hockey

Hockey can play a vital role in a child's development, et the soaring league and equipment costs are keeping many youth off the ice.  In fact, the financial strain put on families is cited as the number one deterrent by hockey parent in a new Canadian survey.

Parents' TV-Watching Binges Linked to Children Getting too Much Screen Time

Children mimic their parents' viewing habits, based on how much TV parents consume, and that has even more an effect than where a television is located or what viewing rules parents (try to) enforce.
Interesting New Study.


The Landfill Harmonic Orchestra

Self-explanatory, don't be tempted to turn it off too soon.
Watch.

And While We Are On The Subject of Music

Check out this Young Man with the orchestra in his mouth.

Malala Yousafzai UN Speech in Full

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage girl who made headlines after the Tailiban attacked her for advocating for girls' right to education, delivered her first public speech to the United Nations Youth Assembly after a lengthy recovery from a gunshot wound to the heat.

A Promising Test for Pancreatic Cancer... From a Teenager

Over 85% of all pancreatic cancers are diagnosed late, when someone has less than 2% chance of survival.  How could this be?  Jack Andraka talks about how he developed a promising early detection test for pancreatic cancer that's super cheap, effective and non-invasive - all before his 16th birthday.

The Magic Dragon

Possibly one of the funniest magicians.  Watch! 

Youth Violence - WHO Fact Sheet

Worldwide an estimated 250 000 homicides occur among youth 10-29 years of age each year. This is 41% of the total number of homicides globally each year.  Youth homicide rates vary dramatically between and within countries.  However, in all countries, young males constitute both the majority of perpetrators and victims of homicide.
More Here.

Canadian Soldiers Go From Mentoring Afghan Forces to Training Aboriginal Teens

Troops whose mission had been to mentor Afghan forces found themselves cast as instructors and role models for teenagers in Manitoulan Island.
Read More.

You Don't Have to Understand Chess

10 year old boy beats an international chess master in a blitz game.
Watch Here.

More Than 16 Million American Children Below the Official Poverty Line

Data from the Anna Casey Foundation's most recent report last year indicated child poverty had soared upward by nearly 30 % from 2000 - 2010.  The number of children living in poverty in the US went up by 4.2 million between 2000 - 2011.
Read Full Report Here.


Keeping The Kids Happy in July and August

Parents spending $2,300 on kids summer programming.
Read More Here.

Study: Sites Like Tumblr, Skype Outpace Facebook For Bullying

A study of social media and bullying in Atlantic Canada shows that Facebook is one of the less commonly used tools for cyberbullying among teens.  Released this week by online research company MediaBadger, the study shows that sites such as Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Skype - as well as others that parents may not have even heard of - are outpacing Facebook for use in bullying.

Transgender Kids in California Earn Right to Choose Bathrooms and Sports Teams

California is poised to become the first U.S. state to require schools to let kids choose bathrooms and sports teams based on their gender identity, marking some of the strongest protections for transgender youth in the country.  More

Ryan Wang: 5 yr old Piano Prodigy

Canadian boy plays for 101 year old woman on CBC.  Watch.

Lessons From Ontario's Campaign to Cut Child Poverty

Ontario has reduced child poverty for three years in a row, and its strategy holds important lessons for future progress.
Full Article.

Who Said Bluegrass is Dead?

The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys is made up of 11-year old banjo sensation Jonny Mizzone and his brothers Robbie, 14, on fiddle, and Tommy, 15, on guitar.
Watch.

Community, not Celebrity, Key to Shaping Youth Behaviour

Lessons from the boys of summer, the little boys of summer, that is, can help us encourage civil behaviour among all of the kids in our lives.  And civility among young people is an issue.  Surveys reveal that a majority of adults use words such as "rude" and "irresponsible" to describe todays's teens.  employers note a lack of work ethic and other basic character traits, especially among younger employees.
Read More.

Latest Beer Belly Remedies and Research

The Heart and Stroke Foundation confirms that "almost 60% of all Canadian adults and 26% of our children and adolescents are overweight or obese."  So it was no accident that the 9,300 experts who converged recently for the Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting spent a lot of time talking about the obesity epidemic.
Read More.

Teenagers Want to Work, Not Find Fame, Survey Finds

A major survey of teenagers suggests they are less materialistic than their older brothers and sisters but anxious about their place in a future economy dominated by austerity.

Happy Canada Day!

The Federal Governments Youth Website

Heaven only knows how much money has been spent on this youth Unfriendly website likely built and maintained by bureaucrats in suited.  Pity because it has some excellent information and could be a useful resource.

Break Through Surgery

Deaf toddler hears his dad's voice for the first time.  Watch here.  

Marijuana Causes Higher Concussion Risk For Canadian Kids

Concussion is a common injury for Canadian Teenagers, with higher risk for athletes and kids who drink or smoke marijuana, new research indicates.
Read More

The Tragedy of Orphanages

Orphanages are costly and can cause irreparable damamge both mentally and physically for its charges - so why are they still so ubiquitous?  Georgette Mulheir gravely describes the tragedy of orphanages and ures us to end our reliance on them, by finding alternate ways of supporting children in need.
Watch.


Excellent Item From BBC - Shared Symbolism of Global Youth Unrest

"In short, just as in 1989, when we found that people in East Europe preferred individual freedom to communism, today capitalism is becoming identified with the rule of unaccountable elites, lack of effective democratic accountability, and repressive policing.  And what the events of the last three years have shown is that perfectly ordinary people, with no ideological axe to grind, have found the means to resist it."
For More:

High Number of College Graduates Lowers Canada's Youth Unemployment

Canada continues to top the list of all OECD countries with 51% of its adult population holding a post-secondary degree or diploma, bolstered by high numbers of graduates from community colleges, according to the OECD's  440 page Education at a Glance 2013.  countries with more young people coming out of vocationally focused programs "succeeded in reducing the risk of unemployment," the report says, and Canada was no exception as unemployment rates for most groups stayed comfortably below OECD averages.


High Rate of Head Injuries Seen Among Canadian Youth


One in five Canadian teens reported a serious head injury in a new study, a rate researchers say is much higher than previous studies have found.


P.S  Happy Canada Day!!

Watch This TED talk go viral.... Andrew Solomon: Love, No Matter What

What is it like to raise a child who's different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)?  In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents - asking them: What's the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance? Watch this for a minute and you won't dare switch it off.

The Challenges of Conducting Surveys of Youth

The short answer is: because surveying children under 18 is expensive and complicated.  But for those interested in the slightly longer answer, keep reading.
Read more from Pew

A Shocking Half of Canadian First Nations Kids Live in Poverty: Study.

Half of Canada's First Nations children are living in poverty, triple the national average, according to a new analysis of census statistics that pegs the cost of easing the problem at $580 million a  year.  The study by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released Wednesday also a grim picture of Metis, Inuit and non-status Indian children, as well as of children of immigrants and visible minorities.
Read More:

Teens Pick Up Numerous Unhealthy Habits in High School

Kids enter Grade 9 living a fairly healthy lifestyle but by graduation they pick up enough bad habits to be at a significantly higher risk for chronic diseases, a University of Waterloo study has found.  Smoking, marijuana use, binge drinking and physical inactivity skyrocket over the four years of high school.
Read More.

Global Alliance To Fight Child Sex Abuse Online Merely 'Symbolic'

A splashy news conference last week touted Canada's membership in a global alliance against child sex abuse, but an internal document says the move was merely 'symbolic' and places no obligations on the federal government.
Read More

Chinese Woman Opposed to One-Child Policy Given Asylum in Canada - Despite Having No Children

The Federal Court has upheld a decision to grant refugee status to a Chinese woman simply because she opposes her country's on-child policy and its harsh enforcement.  Yanxia Ye's deep-seated anxiety about being made to wear an intra-uterine device (IUD) and undergo regular pregnancy tests - coupled with her desire to have a large family - was well-founded and qualified as persecution, the court confirmed in a recent decision.
Read More

Rehtaeh Parsons

In the months before she committed suicide, 17-year old Rehtaeh Parsons could have turned to a variety of programs aimed at trouble youth, but she often remained out of the reach of those who could help her, a new report says.  It's a good, and thankfully short report.
Read Here.

Laughing Tram Man

Can you keep a straight face?  Scroll to bottom of page for short video.  It might just make your day.


Eight in Ten (79%) Canadians Believe Childhood Obesity is a "Major Health Problem"

A new study conducted by Ipsos Reid reveals that a strong majority of Canadians believe that obesity is one of the most prominent problems facing the country's younger demographic, yet few parents believe that their own child(ren) are overweight.
Read Here.

Montreal Conference:  Neglecting Youth With Mental Illness Costs Billions, Expert Says

Neglecting mental health problems in young people costs Australia $30 billion a year and Canada is not far behind, a world expert in mental health services for youth says.
Read More

Mental Health and Bullying

Attending the funerals of his students who died by suicide was always the toughest part of the job for David Thomas.  In the span of just three months, there was a teen girl who was a promising athlete and was teased for coming to terms with her own sexuality, a Grade 12 boy who was an assistant night manager at a fast-food restaurant; and a Grade 11 girl who struggled to fit in.
Full Article

Canadian Coroners to Examine Link Between Sexual Orientation and Suicide

Dr. Dirk Huyer, regional supervising coroner for the Guelph branch of the Office of the Chief Coroner and chair of the Pediatric Death Review Committee says that since queer and trans youth are at greater risk of self-harm, coroners should evaluate whether issues regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity play a part in their actions.
Full Article

Aboriginal Youth Ahead of National Aboriginal Day on Friday June 21st.

For decades, the rate of suicide among Aboriginal Canadians has been several times higher than among the non-Aboriginal Canadian population - and rising dramatically.  One study showed that in many Northern Ontario communities the rate had risen 400% in 10 years.
 More from Kids Help Phone.

Superformula to fight Child Cancer

The first step in the fight against cancer is believing in the cure.  But the chemotherapy treatment is difficult, especially for a child.
Watch.

With A Piece of Chalk

We have promoted this more than once... It's one of the better videos on Youtube!
More.

Another Mr. Roger's Mash Up

Hot on the wheels of last years's wildly successful "Garden Of YOur Mind" auto tune featuring Mr. Rogers, PBS serves up another and it is both clever and charming.  The late sweater-wearing children's host performs "There's So Much In This World We Can Learn, No Matter How Young Or How Old We Are... We Can Sing Together."

UK Youth Organization Promotional Video

Imagine if North American groups would focus more on membership than membership criteria!
Super Promotional Video.


When There Is A Correct Answer Exercise in Creative Thinking

The answers you get depend on the sorts of questions you ask.  Lovely, simple example with 3rd graders.
Watch!

Tedx Youth - Victoria Youth Engagements in Politics

After recently hearing a politician claim that youth no longer care about politics, Jacob Helliwell became concerned.  His experience has been the opposite.  While it is true that youth are less likely to vote and are less likely to be members of political parties, Jacob take the unorthodox view that youth are not indifferent, their engagement is just different.
Watch. 

Crack Babies Don't Necessarily Turn into Troubled Teens

Exposure to crack cocaine in the womb does not increase the risk of later criminal behaviour or school drop out - although the drug may have some lasting effects on behaviour and development, according to new review of the research.
Read More.

Prosecutor May Put Facebook Staff Under Investigation After Girls Suicide Over Online "bullying"

The prosecution has launched an investigation into how Facebook allowed the publication of insults and bullying post aimed at a teenager, who later leapt to her death from her third floor bedroom window.
Read Item


If I Should Have a Daughter...

She got not one but two standing ovations for this brilliant talk.
Watch.

Breaking Borders

In March 2013, Coca-Cola set out to bread down barriers and create a simple moment of connection between two nations - India and Pakistan.  The initiative "Small World Machines" provided a live communications portal between people in India and Pakistan and showed that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart.


Sign This Little Guy Up Now!

This little tot scores a brilliant goal after Chelsea's last match of the season and listen to the crowd roar!

The Problem with Porn

Technology has enabled the proliferation of pornography, making it so pervasive that it has become the main sex educator for many young people.  This is a profound problem because it gives a distorted view of sexuality and human relations, predominantly involves violence against women and encourages hazardous practices.

The UN Convention Continues to move at a Snail's Pace?

After reviewing Canada's commitment to the United Nations Convention On the Rights of the Child, UNICEF, and the Provincial Office for Children & Youth of Ontario have released a plain language version of the UN committee On The Rights of The Child's Concluding Observations.
Read the Report

Father Absence in Early Childhood Linked to Depression in Adolescent Girls

New research from the Children of the 90's study at the University of Bristol shows that girls whose fathers were absent during the first five years of life were more likely to develop depressive symptoms in adolescence than girls whose fathers left when they were aged five to ten years or than boys in both ages groups 0-5 and 5-10, even after a range of factors was taken into account.
Read Here.

Thinking of Heading to London?

Beautiful time lapse video.  Stunning, one of the best.

Students Challenge Shadeism

A group of students in Oshawa is trying to raise awareness about the "black on black" racial discrimination they grapple with daily.

Brilliant: High School Training Ground

Young poet, educator and activist Malcom London performs his short stirring poem about life on the front lines of hight school.  He tells of the "oceans of adolescence" who came to school "but never learn to swim," of "masculinity mimicked by men who grew up with no fathers."
 Beautiful, lyrical, chilling, chilling.

New Research Finds Evidence of 'Suicide Contagion' Among Canadian Teens

Teenagers who had a classmate die by suicide are significantly more likely to think about or attempt suicide themselves over the following two years, according to a new study.  The idea that being exposed to a suicide can spur suicidal thoughts or actions is not a new one; it's called "suicide contagion."  But until now, researchers didn't have evidence that it affected Canadian teens.  For this new study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers looked at Statistics Canada data on more than 22 000 teens aged 12-17 years from across the country.
 Read More.

The Audacious Plan to End Hunger with a 3-D Printed Food

Imagine a day when every kitchen has a 3D printer, and the earth's 12 billion people feed themselves customized, nutritionally appropriate meals synthesized one layer at a time, from cartridges of powder and oils they buy at the corner grocery store.
For More.

Watch a True Story of a Bullied Teen

Shania, a former varsity cheerleader, talks about the time she was afraid to go to school.  Her story shows how reaching out for help and talking to a trusted adult can lighten up depression.
Watch Video

New Report from Pew

One in four teenagers uses Twitter, Teens are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than they have in the past, but they are also taking a variety of technical and non-technical steps to manage the privacy of that information.
Read More.

Driving Our Kids to Unhealthy Habits

The 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, released last week, reports that many Canadian Children and youth are driven to and from destinations.
For More.

Get Your Kids Binoculars

And get out of the way!  Interesting website!