Interview with Megan Mitchell – Australia's National Children's Commissioner
This week, happychild had the privilege of speaking with Megan Mitchell, Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. We were interested to understand more about her role and what she has to say about the state of children’s rights in Australia after her first eight months on the job. Read full article
My Mum is a Cleaner...A Doctor...An Angel
Children observe their mums and after watching everything she does all day, Mum is called an angel and wished sweet dreams. The sweetest 2-minute video you will see today.
From the Blog
Michelle's Top Internet Finds
Here is this week's best-of-the-best child and parenting articles found on the internet, selected by happychild contributor, Michelle Higgins. This week, topics include motherhood, education, literacy, and talking to children about sex education. Read full article
An Anti-Bullying App for Children from Australian Education Authorities
The Allen Adventure iPad™ app is developed by the Safe and Supportive School Communities Working Group—made up of all Australian education authorities – to help children 3-8 years of age develop social and emotional skills. Described as fun and positive, it is designed as an interactive story about a young visitor from another planet who is new to school and is learning how to get on with his Earthling classmates. Through discussion with parents and educators, children can learn how to manage a variety of social situations, like making friends, getting on with others and dealing with difficult behaviours from other children. Read full article
Popular Books
When Rosalind Wiseman published her bestseller Queen Bees and Wannabes in 2001, it...
Paperback Book$32.99 AUD
Talk Less Listen More provides parents with strategies and ideas on how to teach...
Paperback Book$29.99 AUD
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley, one girl spoke out; Malala Yousafzai...
Paperback Book$32.99 AUD
Parents Asked to Limit TV and Have a Media Plan
The newly released policy from the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) Council on Communications and Media urges parents, schools, doctors and advertisers to recognise media effects on children – both positive and negative. While the Academy remains concerned about research-based evidence about the potential for harm from media messages, it also acknowledges the positive effects from television shows like Sesame Street, which teaches children numbers and letters Read full article
Pesticides and Childhood Brain Cancer - a Link
Parents who call in pest controllers to get rid of termites in the year before pregnancy are twice as likely to have a child with a brain tumour, according to a national study. The study on links between pesticides and childhood brain cancer, led by Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Professor Elizabeth Milne, revealed parental exposure in the home in the year before conception and during pregnancy were associated with a bigger risk of their child developing a brain tumour. Read full article