We believe that community is important for children. Children need supportive parents, safe neighbourhoods, adult mentors, and caring teachers. Children need role models who will help them to develop a sense of civic and social responsibility. Children need to feel that they belong. As a society, we need to embrace our children. As cliché as it may sound, children are our future and we need them to have some basic skills: to trust, to resolve conflicts peacefully, to think creatively, and to care for other people. The articles in this section indicate the importance of community to children and families and suggest ways for families, schools and the broader community to get together and help one another.

The Well-being of Children - This 40-page research paper examines the factors within neighbourhoods that influence the well-being of children. Researchers determined that a supportive neighbourhood community is a key factor in the well-being of children. One factor that made for a better neighbourhood was the amount of social capital – how much neighbours help each other and have strong formal and informal relationships. The other two important factors are adequate income and good parenting.

Fostering School Connectedness - Connection to school has been found to protect against violence, risky sexual behaviour, drug use, and dropping out of school. When students are engaged, they work harder, are involved with positive activities, and are more likely to want to give back to the individuals and institutions that support them. This short article explains the importance of children’s connection to school and describes ways that schools can improve students’ attachment to their schools.

Middle Childhood: Building on the Early Years - Too often, children in our society are faced with emotional and physical health problems and are the victims of violence. This in-depth (45 page) article looks at our society and the influences, outcomes and services available to families with children in the middle years (ages 6-12). School has a profound effect on the social and emotional development of children in this age group. Children are more likely to engage in risky behaviours if they are unhappy with school and are not experiencing success at learning. One positive counterbalance is if a child has an adult mentor. These children are found to have fewer absences from school, better attitudes toward school, less drug and alcohol use and improved relationships with their parents.

Kids Count - This article describes an organization called Kids Count, which is based in London, Ontario. Kids Count seeks to identify and minimize the obstacles to learning faced by children from less affluent areas of the city. The organization brings together parents, children, educators, businesses and community organizations to implement ideas.

National Longitudinal Survey: Children & Youth - This study shows that the quality of early childhood has a long-term effect on how individuals perform in the school system and in later life.

Adolescent Delinquency - This article had interesting insights on adolescent delinquency and peer pressure. The researchers found that young people are more influenced by peers they admire and respect, therefore, adolescents engaging in delinquent behaviour are seeking out friends who are doing similar things.

Adolescent Self Esteem - One third to one half of adolescents struggle with low self esteem. The most likely antidote to low self esteem is for the adolescent to experience success in something they value and receive praise by people they respect and care about.

Strengthening Youth Involvement - Many organizations struggle with how to involve youth in decision-making. This article describes the necessary steps and conditions for getting youth involved on a committee.

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