When your 9-13 year old asks to put up a Facebook page, you need to know about Everloop. It's a safe, kid-only community that lets kids be free but lets parents guide the social tools they can use. Everloop also gently guides kids toward safe online behavior and away from bullying. But it's not sanctimonious, it's playfully mischievous. Right now, kids can listen to their Zombie Radio (featuring Monster Mash and more ghoulish tunes). And prank each other with Gooblins.

"Music is Our Language"

Thus sayeth, Aimee. One example she used are the playlists they make for each other to support or console or encourage or commemorate their lives's events.

Rachel said almost the same thing while searching though our latest promotion. This one opens dialog between parents and students through (and about) music. Families choose playlists to help accomplish after-school goals: "Focus" "Create" etc. The music library includes tunes for both generations. Squeaky clean but crazy cool http://www.quakeroats.com/about-quaker-oats/content/after-school-rocks/verve-life.aspx

EasterDrawing

Here's how you gained admission to the jelly bean hunt at my house this week: draw an Easter drawing with sidewalk chalk. An impromptu collaboration produced the "Easter Emu."

MealMarkers

How to get picky eaters to pick fruits and vegetables?

See mealmarkers.com--Nutritionists joined a psychologist to create this tool to put the power of planning healthy meals into kids' hands. And it's game-like quality could spur Healthy competition.

If I were Del Monte, Dole, Bird's Eye or a grocery chain, I'd go bananas about this clever but simple idea.

Growing fans

I posted this little girl's picture a couple of years ago to underscore kids' intense love of color. (Oct. 2006 "Let them eat bright colors"). See how she's grown!

She was also one of Edgar & Ellen's young US fans while her father was working here. Now she's back in her native Holland. Her mother reports that she still watches Edgar & Ellen which now plays on Nickelodeon Benelux. I notice that the Fan Forum also has fans whose spelling is improving, whose writing is becoming more precise and whose attention spans are getting longer(they're still wacky).

What keeps fans in the fold? Here are theories: Varied humor (from silly pratfalls to clever pranks). Layered storytelling. Never talking down to them. Multimedia access. The ability to influence the content. The chance to add your own plots and characters to the story-world.

Kids and cooking shows

Did you know that U.S kids love watching Rachel Ray? And that cooking shows are drawing them into the kitchen?

This pic is from Rachel Ray's kid page--it invites children to submit recipes that may be selected to be featured. Another example of kid-influenced content!

This is great news for parents who want to introduce new flavors...it IS well-known that kids are more likely to sample what they prepare themselves.

High-tech user-generated content

Props to "YukaHotanashi" a young YouTuber who has practically created an Edgar & Ellen network of her own. Check out at least a dozen of her creations--mixing eclectic music, inspired editing and a wry sense of humor.

Low-tech user-generated content

User-generated content is the present and future of kids' entertainment and marketing. Bloggers and YouTubers know. But so, evidently, do spray painters. Full disclosure: Graffiti Jam was hosted by Terracycle, who makes plant fertilizer from worm poop. Edgar & Ellen partner with their in-school recycling program called "Bottle Brigade."