I am Lexi and I am turning 13 in 3 weeks!  I painted this Earth with the tree coming out of the top to symbolize all the roots of life coming from Mother Earth. Each part of this is precious and necessary in order to sustain its very existence.

Lexi, Youth Artist

In a time of uncertainly for our future, it’s so refreshing to draw upon the voices of our youth. They are the future. This world that we are trying to protect for them has extra meaning this year with all that is going on around us and under the surface. I found this painting that our young artist, Lexi, created to be very symbolic as she displays it with the roots on top – uprooted – like our planet at this time. But the roots are still there and waiting to be planted again. Luckily, it’s in good hands with the visionaries I’m about to introduce you to who have been very busy protecting and nurturing our planet and all those – big and small – on land and water – who live here with us. Who share this space. Although it’s a scary time, we have also seen a lot of beauty and kindness with so many people reaching out and connecting, like the roots in this image. Let’s continue being respectful and mindful of each other. And as we spread the kindness amongst each other, we can lean on and shelter each other when necessary. As the saying goes, we’re all in this together.

THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM is one of my fondest childhood memories of a place that will always be close to my heart.

Haylee, Youth Supporter of Vancouver Aquarium

Like many other amazing organizations world-wide, we have decided to focus on The Vancouver Aquarium for NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK. That’s because it’s an organization that hits very close to home in our family. When reflecting back upon the life of my family, it’s played a huge part in providing joy and enrichment to us, and especially to the interests of our daughter, Haylee.

Turning 15 this summer, Haylee will now reflect back in her own words on how the aquarium has been instrumental in supporting her personal interests and providing her with opportunities that she hopes will continue for herself and all those kids behind her who share her love for the ocean and all its creatures who live in our waters. At the end of this story, Lindsay Baker, Manager of Volunteer Services, has shared some links about how we can support the aquarium and I sincerely hope this story reaches as many people as possible with fond memories of this magical place and that together, we can make the difference that is needed to keep this special place afloat to provide opportunities for generations to come in ocean conservation and animal research which also extends to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre – the only one of it’s kind in Canada.

Everyone can be a hero. All you have to do, is look inside of you, you can be a hero too.

Written by Lorrie Holmes

We are so excited to share our Community Helper Creative Arts Theme. And it’s all about teaching our kids who the real heroes are in our communities – THE FRONTLINE & ESSENTIAL WORKERS! Watch our video below to enjoy our Everyday Heroes Song – it’s the perfect way to explore Community Helpers with your young kids! Be sure to download our song, book and printables for free!

The most important message our kids need to hear right now is now about what co-vid19 is, but about who their adults are – the people who will care for them and carry them through this storm.

Dr Deborah MacNamara

KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: Parents want to be honest but not terrify their children at this time. What would you recommend we tell our kids? What should they know and what can they handle? What is helpful and what is detrimental to share and discuss? Can you break this down for us by age groups.

DEBORAH: The most important message that our kids need to hear in relation to Covid-19 is that we will take care of them and get through this difficult time. While we don’t have all the answers about Covid-19, the reality is that information doesn’t make a child feel secure – relationships do. 

Reviewed by Lorrie Holmes

We All Have Read Hearts

by The Smile Band

Today we are very excited to introduce you to a very talented group of young ladies who make up an all-girls band that has gained a lot of momentum across Greater Vancouver for the past few years. At such a tender young age, they have already gained much attention performing at many schools and charity events across Greater Vancouver. They give new meaning to the term triple threat, each playing their own instrument at live events, sharing their beautiful voices, and now, even writing their own material with an album of 8 original songs soon to be released.

Band manager, Terry Tarmitage explains, “Our story starts at the end of a school year a few years back when, as a music teacher, I was working with my students on our year end recital. Like every other year, I was preparing my students for this event and Avery was a guitar student of mine at the time. She brought her sister along to perform in the recital.  When I heard them sing together, I new they had something special. I have worked with young bands in the past and I thought it would be interesting to explore the avenue of an all-girls band. Avery ,Veronica and Nikita are very much in sync with each other. They are willing to work hard to obtain their goals as musicians and give greatly and freely back to the community.” Terry pauses then continues, “We are very proud of these young girls – for they might have their ‘Heads in the Stars‘ but they also have their feet firmly planted on the ground. We are sure that with their determination and desire, they are destined for great things.” Heads In The Stars is the name of their new 8 song original CD that will soon be released. When asked where we can find this album, Terry explains, “We have just finished recording and mixing all the songs so it hasn’t been released yet. It will be ready by spring break and made available on Spotify, iTunes, and many other digital platforms. We will also have CD’s available to be purchased at our shows, along with USB sticks. Fans will also be able to contact us through our website and on Facebook to download or order a copy of our album. To get the CD out there, we will only charge $5.00 plus shipping, so the price is good!”

As we move into 2020 we are happy to feature one playful lady who happily shares with us what she wants to be when she grows up which is her beautiful childlike self. 

Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes

As a ventriloquist and family entertainer, Kellie Haines started talking to her stuffed animals at the tender age of eight. When they started talking back, she knew she had a show to do! Kellie has made great use of her background – after all, she holds a BA with Specialized Honours in Drama and is a multitalented entertainer with a background in theatre, clowning, singing and dance, but none of this has stopped her from dreaming big. And her dreams came true when she was cast as a puppeteer on a Jim Henson project for television. She’s also represented Canada in the International Show at Vent Haven Convention in Kentucky last July and this summer she is returning to the USA to perform her singing vent act for both children and adults alike. Through her work as a ventriloquist and a teacher of drama, Kellie also works as a behaviour interventionist for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. 



“I know I’m getting older so this painting I made really captures that feeling of my childhood Christmases.”

By Youth Artist, Lexi L.

This year, 12 year old youth artist, Lexi, created a snowman for us which she explains best represents the warm and cozy feeling of her childhood memories. “Especially when I would come inside after building a snowman with my sister or even having a snowball fight, and we could warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. That was the best,” she explains with a smile on her face. Lexi adds, “When I think of Christmas, what comes to mind for me is playing in the snow. I love building snowman. I love building things in the snow. It feels weird, like playing with a cold cloud.”

When asked if she has a favourite snowman, she quickly answers, “Yes! Frosty, because he isn’t your regular snowman. He is so cartoony, and definitely very loveable. He doesn’t just have coal yes and a carrot nose. He’s just more cartoony and I really like that.”

When asked about some of her favourite things at Christmastime, Lexi answers that they are spending time with family and giving things to others and seeing their enjoyment. Thank you Lexi, for sharing your adorable snowman with us as our feature image in this story.

For our family, Christmas means family time, fun memories, and activities that we can experience year after year.

Zina, Early Childhood Educator and Mama to Kaiden

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Next, we expanded upon this story by interviewing a Mama and Early Childhood Educator who we like to follow on Instagram at @zina_ece. Zina adds that, “Christmas is a special time for my family. It allows us to create memories throughout the wintertime. It also gives us an opportunity to spend time with K, our toddler. Each year, we decorate the tree together. K always makes a special ornament to put on the tree. So in years to come, we will have a nice collection!” Mom pauses then continues, “Christmas through his eyes is magical. He is loving seeing all the lights at nighttime, decorating gingerbread houses, and eating all the cookies! We have done so many activities throughout the winter break that he is looking forward to seeing what’s next! He often says to me, “Mama, those lights were amazing!”, or “Thanks for getting the gingerbread house. It was so much fun!” I’m so glad that he appreciates and looks forward to all the things that we can do together. This year we have also asked K to pick some toys out to donate to those who need them. He understands that some children may not have toys this year. He was more then happy to wrap up toys with me to gift to other children. ” 

On behalf of all of us at KiDS NEWS & REViEWS, we wish you a Very Merry Little Christmas & A Happy New Year

The holiday season is more or less one of the few times a year when everyone gets together and visits with the family. Everyone’s definition of family is different for the most part, and so are their ideas of how to celebrate the holidays. And though we’re all different, one thing that we all have in common is the desire to share our favourite holiday treats and traditions with our loved ones.

Heath Newman of Newmans Fine Foods

That might mean getting together and having that nice turkey roast, or cooking a whole turkey. Maybe you prefer to offer your family a prime rib, or to cook up a ham or something that might seem less traditional to some, like lamb. There are so many different choices of meats and it all begins with the cuts.

There is always a reason for a child’s behaviour and it is our job as their caregivers to uncover where it’s coming from; to always be trying to understand it within the context of each individual child.

Written by Ana Cassidy, Early Childhood Educator & Author

No two children have the same exact experience in any given situation. Once you get to know each child, you understand where their behaviour stems from. Each one is unique and as such, they all react to any given situation differently. Some children thrive on adult attention and will often seek us out to play with them one-on-one. Others may have us rescue them from a situation they don’t yet have the confidence they can solve for themselves. We, of course, are always better off guiding them through their challenges as opposed to just solving them for them.