The Parent List - Nov. 30

What you may have missed on CBC.ca this week:

Google Doodle celebrates Mr. Dressup's Birthday

On Monday, November 26, Ernie Coombs (aka Mr. Dressup) would have been celebrating his 85th birthday. Google Canada commemorated one of the most beloved Canadian children's characters with a Google Doodle featuring Mr. Dressup, , Casey, Finnegan and the Tickle Trunk! Watch Ernie Coombs reflect on his career as Mr. Dressup and some of Mr. Dressup's most memorable moments on CBC Live.

Active video games discouraged by child fitness experts

Active video games like the Nintendo Wii and Kinect for Xbox are designed to get kids off the couch and get them moving. However, Active Healthy Kids Canada doesn't recommend these games as a strategy to help kids become more physically active because while they do increase the heart rate, it's not strong or long enough to get the full 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity children and youth need each day. Read the full article on CBCNews.ca

Input on flu shots at school sought

Researchers in Ottawa and across Ontario are getting parents' input on the potential benefits and convenience of having the flu shot made available in schools. CBCNews.ca wants to know what you think.

Early childhood education pays for itself, TD says

TD Bank said investing in early childhood education programs will help Canada address the major economic threats it's facing over the coming decades, including poverty, critical skills shortages and yawning productivity gaps that hold our economy back. According to CBCNews.ca, for every dollar that governments spend on early childhood education, TD says the economic return to society down the line ranges between $1.50 and $3. Listen to Metro Morning's business commentator, Michael Hlinka, for <more information about the report.

Crying baby education campaign launched

It is rare for new babies to never cry and common, if not normal, for parents to feel overwhelmed when they do. CBCNews.ca has the story on Purple Crying, a new education program that has launched in PEI for new parents in the hospital to learn how to help sooth their crying baby and prevent shaken baby syndrome.