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Last year we did a JuniorSenior research among children with the subject Have, Have, Have. It is amazing how many things young people have in their rooms. We found out that the average value of belongings in children’s rooms from the age of 10 is about 1500 euros. And they still want more. It is in their nature; children are true collectors. It is difficult for them to understand that, even if there is money, parents do not buy everything for them. I gave in to the pester power several times, when my girls wanted to have nice ‘educational’ toys or books. But too often I saw the little gift lying somewhere in a corner never to be touched again. This afternoon we walked into one of the biggest toy stores that exist. I warned my princesses that they could look, admire and touch everything, but not ask to have. It worked! We spent more than 30 minutes in a toy shop without buying anything, but having a great time anyway!

She almost reached her 100^th birthday this coming November, but died last week. Apparently she was a very well-known and very respected Nun in France. The news about her death overshadowed all the money crisis and recession news in all the media. That in itself is maybe proof she was an angel here on earth. Because money was the last thing she was interested in. Soeur Emmanuelle was also called the Nun of the Poor. She lived among the poorest people in Egypt on a Dump, helping the children of the rag-pickers. Teaching these poor kids to read and write, hoping they would make a better, happier and healthier living than their parents.

I had never heard of Soeur Emmanuelle before, but I had the opportunity to read parts from some of her books and I was really touched by her ideas and opinions. News like this, although very sad of course, teaches us to relativize and worry about really important issues.

In England they do exist in schools, lessons in happiness and positive psychology. In the Netherlands there is a hidden website where teachers can download materials for their happiness lessons. It is a very good idea to have these lessons in every school, especially for kids 14+. While they are longing for independence, the world can be quite threatening at this age. Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy eating, anorexia may seem to young people ways to feel more secure about themselves, but there are much better ways of course. But where do they get this information? According to happiness scientist Sonia Lyubomirsky 50 percent of our chances on happiness are governed by genes, 10 percent by life circumstances, and the remaining 40 percent by what we do and how we think. The secret of course lies in that 40 percent. If we observe genuinely happy people, we shall find that they do not just sit around being contented. They make things happen. They pursue new understandings, seek new achievements, and control their thoughts and feelings. If an unhappy person wants to experience interest, enthusiasm, contentment, peace, and joy, he or she can make it happen by learning the habits of a happy person.

JuniorSenior is promoting the 4 Planet Rescue games distributed by Ubisoft. Nice fun games, with a lot of educational values for young children.

The European Comission makes sites and games on this subject too. With community money of course. But if these sites are not promoted in schools or directly to kids nobody will see them and the money is wasted.

Music reduces stress. This is not a very revolutionary statement.

But a Taiwanese university proved scientifically that pregnant women are much more relaxed when they listen to music with a rhythm of 60 to 80 beats per minute. This is also the rhythm of the heart when resting. If this is good for unborn children, it is likely to be good for all children. After a bit of searching I discovered that there is a series of ‘Music for the Mind’ also for children. To be used at home or in the classroom. The music helps to create a peaceful relaxed environment, important for learning and using longterm memory.

“This sample is especially good when you are reading or writing”, composer Gary Lamb explains. And I must say it is quite relaxing.