Kids on the coast

If you’re one of the many parents trying to keep up with the latest in new video games, text-messaging, digital media and social media like Facebook, you’re not alone. A free e-book has been prepared by American researchers about how online communication affects children and their families. To download Hanging out, messing around, and geeking out, visit www.mitpress.mit.edu
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Let’s dance!

Dancing is the second most popular organised arts activity for children aged 5-17 years, coming in just behind playing a musical instrument. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says 14% of Australian school children (around 390,400 Aussie kids) participate in dance classes. If dancing takes your fancy, check out Bokarina’s new dance studio called DanceEdge which specialises in classical ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acrobatics, vocal and Latin. Call 0401 046 882.
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Ad images under review

Sexualised images of children and women may become harder to place in advertisements from next year if a review by the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) decides to toughen existing codes. ASB board member Gary Rice, a Noosa unit accommodation manager, said restraining some advertisers was very hard because they cleverly manipulated codes. “I am continually concerned about the degree to which advertisers push the limits,” he said.
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Seal show a big break for local kids

UnderWater World announces a new seal show which launches over the holidays, with local kids in the spotlight as the entertaining narrators. The show, which promotes the importance of environmental conservation from a seal’s perspective, runs daily until January 17. Beating over 200 hopefuls, the leading roles were awarded to gifted young locals Jayda Schatto, Saskia Tomlins, Tymi Teata, Harrison Buckland Crook and Keeley Young. For more details, call UnderWater World on 5458 6280.
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Australians fear for the environment and their children

A new research study on consumer attitudes towards global warming and environmental policy has revealed 94% of Australians are concerned about how the future of the environment will impact on their children. Over half of the 1,800 people surveyed believed creating a better world for our children was the most compelling reason to make personal change in environmental practices. Only 1.5% of respondents believed there wasn’t a problem.
 
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Local school wins national teaching award

Immanuel Lutheran College recently received an Australian Award for Teaching Excellence from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard. Teacher Mrs Judy Harris was highly commended for her role in the youth literary festival, Voices on the Coast, and was presented with $15,000 prize money to attract renowned authors, poets and illustrators to the 2010 event.
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