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THINKAMAJIGS BOOK REVIEW:A New Alphabet for Humanityby Leesa McGregor, illustrated by Daniela SosaIN A NUTSHELL:Recommended for ages 3 years and up, this alphabet book teaches children about being compassionate, kind and loving to people and the planet. Each page introduces and explains a positive word, and the book concludes with questions designed to spark further conversations with children about the values described. It’s printed on recycled paper using non-toxic soy inks.Leesa McGregor is a …

7 WAYS TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH YOUR KIDSOn April 22nd, Earth Day marks its 52nd anniversary as climate change continues to dominate headlines around the world. More than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.This year’s theme, Invest In Our Planet, focuses on stepping up solutions to combat climate change and encouraging governments, businesses and ordinary citizens to do their part. Here are 7 i …

IN THE NEWS: DO MONTESSORI KIDS GROW UP TO BE HAPPIER ADULTS?Does attending Montessori school in childhood correlate with a higher degree of happiness in adulthood? It just might, suggests a recent study from the University of Virginia (UVA) published in Frontiers in Psychology.Led by Angeline Lillard, Professor of Psychology at UVA who has researched Montessori methods for more than two decades, the study examined whether three core concepts of Montessori teaching - self-determination, mea …

THE STORY BEHIND:SAFARI LTD. AND THEIR TOYS THAT TEACH®Have you met Bernie? Allow us to introduce him! Bernie is the official alligator mascot of Safari Ltd., proudly featured in their logo, and named for one of the founders of the company. Even if you don’t know Bernie, you’re probably familiar with Safari’s line of lifelike animal figures that are hugely popular with kids - and which are collectibles in their own right. Let’s take a closer look at this award-winning brand, which is celebrating …

IN THE NEWS: MARCH 3RD IS WORLD WILDLIFE DAY: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET KIDS INVOLVEDMarch 3rd marks World Wildlife Day, first proclaimed by the United Nations in 2013. It’s a day to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the world’s wild animals and plants, as well as raise awareness of critically endangered species of wild flora and fauna. This year’s theme focuses on how to recover key species, restore ecosystems and discusses solutions to conserve them.What is a key species? Key species – o …

On February 23rd, Pink Shirt Day shines a spotlight on bullying and what parents, schools and communities can do about it.The statistics are disturbing: At least 1 in 3 adolescent students has reported being bullied. Almost 50% of Canadian parents believe their child has been a victim of bullying. Bullying occurs once every 7 minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom. 1 in 10 Canadian children experiences online harassment, with girls more likely to be victims.B …

Family Literacy Day is January 27th: Here’s how to get involved!Family Literacy Day takes place every year on January 27th and was first launched in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Taking time every day to read or to do a learning activity with your children is crucial to their development, improves their literacy skills dramatically – and can help you improve your skills as well.What …

Education takes centre stage at United Nations in 2022“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world” – Malala YousafzaiJanuary 24th, 2022 marks the fourth International Day of Education and kicks off a year that will see the United Nations focus on the future of education.International Day of Education came about from a 2018 UN resolution to celebrate the role of education in peace and development. This year’s theme, “Changing Course, Transforming Education”, focuses on how …

It’s no secret that YouTube is a major part of children’s lives today — whether they have screen time while eating, after school, or before bed, it’s very likely that your child views videos online at some point during the day. While some parents compromise and only allow educational videos in their household, the question remains: are educational videos effective? It’s true that we live in a digital age and have access to more information than ever, so it’s natural to question whether it’ …

While many children learn what they see in books and on TV, it’s important to support the creative development of your child, so that they can assume new perspectives and have unique approaches to new situations. The best inventions and discoveries were made by individuals who were able to think outside of the box, which has led to having astronauts walk on the moon, and scientists finding cures for dangerous diseases. As a parent, it’s a top priority to find ways to enhance your child’s c …