Hi, my name is Addy Barrett. I am 13 years old and I live in Germantown, Maryland. Ever since I was in first grade, I have been working to raise money and awareness for the endangered mountain gorilla. It started when I read a book about mountain gorillas and how critically endangered they were. I immediately wanted to do something so I went home and made a poster. I got a lot of support from friends and family, and the rest is history.
I really like to make my projects educational, but also fun so that I can captivate younger audiences. Over the past several years I have sold t-shirts, hosted three Gorilla Galas, initiated a Gorilla Hi 5 challenge, made gorilla toys and so much more. Through these efforts Gorilla Heroes has raised over $13,000 for gorilla conservation.
The keys to surviving and thriving in 2021 are to find ways to cultivate emotional rest through play, tears, and meaningful relationships.
Dr. Deborah MacNamara, Author of REST PLAY GROW
Luckily, during these strange times, there are many wonderfully dedicated child development experts available to offer extra support to parents in the form of coaching and other areas of guidance so we can show up as our best selves for our kids while we continue to navigate our way through all of this. We have researched and compiled a list of such individuals who we would like to make you aware of. There are many others we will add to this list in the future, but for now, we are starting off with these wonderful leaders in child development and parent coaching. Each of these dedicated individuals offer services to guide parents and have authored books & workshops on their areas of expertise. We’re also excited to be including Certified Health Coach & Holistic Nutritionist, Juliana Avella, and her brand new Made Simple FREE App that provides valuable resources for moms and moms-to-be. Hope you enjoy this resource and we look forward to bringing you more supportive tips and tools as we learn about them throughout this year.
Written & Illustrated by Celeste, Age 9
A few years ago there was an envelope. It wasn’t any old envelope because this one could talk. No one knew that this envelope contained Santa’s List even though it said Santa’s list on the front of it! Still, no one noticed that is was his real list. Santa had written the list then sent it beforehand. The reason why he did this is because there was a problem with mice coming and eating all the paper. So he sent it all the way to Canada, with the hope of getting it back safely.
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
My book publishing journey has been chalk full of researching, learning, connecting, and growing! My goal in creating Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD was, If my book can impact the life of one child with ADHD, then it will be worth it! Two years later, I now have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD. I have life experience with it. I am educated about it. I teach and coach children who have it. I am an author of a children’s book about it. I am also a mama to a daughter who is impacted by it! These are all of the things that have turned me into an expert on ADHD.
Katelyn Mabry, Author, Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD
Since childhood, I have been involved with music in some way. From lessons, to choirs and even bands. After completing my degree in music education from Western University, I taught in public schools for a number of years before finding my dream job at Music Together of Kitchener-Waterloo. Here is where I can teach with passion in an environment that I love.
When children are immersed in nature, they gain self confidence, grit, and problem solving skills that they can use to thrive in all areas of their lives. At Wasatch Nature School our goal is to help each child plant seeds of the wonder that will sprout into a lifelong connection to nature and learning.
Kristy Nuttall, Marketing Director/Head Nature Teacher
We believe during these hard times, the world needs something to keep them motivated and stay safe. That’s why we wrote this song – to remind our young audience that we are in a pandemic and the only way out is to follow guidelines and regulations. Unfortunately, we are not able to go out as often or see friends and family, so music is something that is bringing us together.
-Paridice Music
I recall vividly the day I took notice of Paridice Music on social media. I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and stopped dead in my tracks on your cover song of Somebody You Loved. It was hauntingly beautiful and before the music ended, I was already messaging you to introduce us and ask if you’d be interested in writing a parody about wearing a mask as a plea to your young peers this Halloween. You checked us out and responded quickly with a yes and we were thrilled! In no time, you came up with these amazing lyrics and began recording the vocals. It was our honour to create this video for you and we hope the message resonates with our followers and far far beyond our reach.
-Lorrie Holmes, Editor, Kids News & Reviews
Photo by @karribrantleyphoto
My name is Brayden Eaton, I’m a 13 year old actor that is based in Los Angeles, CA. I am originally from Detroit, MI, and I have been a professional actor now for 3 years. Since I was 5 years old, I had begged my parents to become an actor. Being the good parents they are, they made me wait until they knew I was really serious, which was when I turned 10 years old. They allowed me to do local stuff like musicals and local commercials, but I wanted to do more. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It wasn’t a hobby, it’s something I loved to do, so much so, I wanted it to be my job. I’m excited to be sharing my story with you today as an example that no matter your age, if you believe in yourself while pursuing your dreams and you work hard enough, you can make them happen.
Brayden Eaton, Actor
– Alana Schober, Founder and Owner of Sparx Studio
When I taught kids in the classroom with the set out curriculum, I found myself more drawn to teaching them lessons about social skills, health, and overall mental wellbeing. I strongly felt that these concepts were not taught enough in the everyday curriculum and that schools are focussed too much on academics. I think society and the education system needs to support kids to be empowered and healthy in addition to knowing what the square root of a number is.