Researchers at the University of Alberta are looking into the language development of young children adopted from Ethiopia. Cool!

“Speech-language pathologists and early intervention specialists are increasingly involved in assessing the communication skills of internationally adopted children, and in many cases providing language stimulation or speech therapy services. “

These researchers are looking for “volunteers who have adopted children from Ethiopia.

If your child is between 9 and 42 months of age and has been home less than 12 months, you are eligible to participate” in their on-line survey.

To learn more and fill out the survey, click here.

School is almost out for summer!  Report card time!

Each year the

writes report cards for the wealthiest countries in the world, grading them on their contributions and achievments to providing education for all children.

Here is Canada’s:

Now, 8th place, for a country that prides itself on it’s global contributions, 8th is pretty dismal. 

If you would like to see the other countries’ reports, click here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns3BMxwYEgM]

When’s the last time your wrote your MP (or federal government respresentative) and had your voice heard?

Jrock and I write a letter about twice a month, as we become aware of an issue (animal rights) or it’s decision-making time (ie, the budget.)  It’s actually so easy to do… just fire it off to your MP or the relevant minister.. and don’t forget to CC a copy off to the PM. You would be surprised at the answers you get back…

How to’s:

• Find your MP here.
• Get some help letter writing
  • Environmental issues
  • Human rights / poverty issues (sign up for updates – they’ll write the letter for you)
• Print 3 copies of your letter. 
  • Mail one to your MP at their local office (need to put a stamp on it) or drop it off
  • Mail one to them in Ottawa (postage free):
    Person’s Name, MP
    House of Commons
    Parliament Buildings
    Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6
  • Mail one to the PM:
    Prime Minister Stephen Harper
    Office of the Prime Minister
    80 Wellington Street
    Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2

Of course, you can always email pm@pm.gc.ca but I think the emails don’t get as much attention as paper.  (But if you would never write a letter, for sure, send an email.)