American Children are Intelligent and Aussie Kids are Happy?
I am loving this – the most common description a sample of Australian parents used for their child is “happy”. How great is that!? I may be biased. But what about the Italians and the Americans? The Spanish, the Swedish, the Dutch?...Apparently American parents have a tendency to talk about their children in terms of their cognitive abilities – their intelligence... Read full article
Do Children Know that Seeking Asylum in Australia is Legal?
This is a story about reading aloud to our 11 year old. I guess it's also a story reflecting my family's history; I'm acutely aware from my Nana's stories, of the terror of escaping from a country in which you are persecuted. And it's a story about helping children digest media...Last week, I was reading this beautifully illustrated book to our Mr 11 Read full article
Bernard Gaynor Wouldn't Let a Gay Person Teach His Kids and He's Not Afraid to Say It
And he is right about the fear factor- there is nothing much to be afraid of – it’s generally safe and in most cases legal to express your views in Australia, no matter how offensive they are to other people...However, I would be afraid and ashamed to live in a country where most people were not offended by Ms Corbett’s equating the protection and granting of rights to gay and lesbian people with granting rights to paedophiles. Read full article
What My Mother Whispered In My Ear
This is a conversation my mother and I had last week. What started as a conversation about the current economic climate in Greece, soon turned into reflection for my mother who was born in rural Greece in 1935. As a small child she would walk to primary school with her older brother. Read full article
My Children Help Me Adjust to Expat Living
When you are new to a place, for that first little while you get to really see it, as if you are looking through the eyes of a child. Soon the sight of a squirrel pausing to nimbly pick up an acorn with its tiny squirrel paws will become something I have seen a hundred times before. But for now it is a novelty. “Squirrel!” the children squeal every time one makes a brave dash across the street or jumps from one tree branch to another. The Canadians seem bemused by our enthusiasm. Read full article
How Do You Teach Your Child about Racism? A Story.
My son’s hero of all heroes is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When we visited the King Center this past January on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, my little Bear didn’t want to leave the museum and then the memorial. He wanted to commune with Dr. King all day. On a recent trip to Washington, DC, Bear didn’t want to leave Dr. King’s statue, and he made it a point to read aloud every single quote inscribed along the long wall of the memorial. As Bear’s mom, I am proud beyond words. With this as the backdrop and as a reflection of how my husband and I feel about discrimination of any kind, I will tell you about an experience I had recently. Read full article
We Are All Born Free
The most gorgeous hard back picture book for children about human rights.This beautiful commemorative edition of We Are All Born Free celebrates each declaration with an illustration by an internationally renowned artist or illustrator.A testament to freedom and the human spirit, it is a thoughtful gift for children and adults alike. Read full article
The Perfect Flower Girl
Join Amani and her little sister in this joyous celebration of a Lebanese Muslim wedding. Delightful and beautifully illustrated picture and story book for children. Will Amani be the perfect flower girl? Read full article
What do You Know about Indigenous Children in Australia?
Today is International Day of the World's Indigenous People - the theme is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices". Here in Australia we still have a long way to go, in my opinion, in promoting and listening to Indigenous voices when it comes to improving the conditions of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children ... The United Nations' press release for today's activities points out the importance of us listening to voices of Indigenous people via the media ...read what SNAICC has to say about protecting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Read full article
International Adoption - from Bhutan to Australia - My Story
Solomon Le Masurier was adopted by Australian Christian missionaries living in Bhutan in the 1980s. In this podcast Solomon shares his adoption story starting with his fostering after his mother's death when he was two days old. Issues such as cultural and physical difference, adoption counselling and relationships with a biological family are just some of the stories that Solomon generously shares. Podcast available for download. Read full article
