TRUCE (Teacher's Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment) offers an interesting holiday gift giving guide for parents who are concerned about violence, "sexiness," and a lack of creativity in today's children's toys and media.
Their detailed guide gives examples of recommended toys as well as toys to avoid—and it includes some surprises. Baby Einstein products, for example, are not recommended
TRUCE recommends avoiding toys that bring violence into rescue-related play, link non-nutritious food to play, lure little girls into focusing on teenage behavior, equate money and shopping with fulfillment and fun, use electronics to overstimulate babies, or promote young children's interest in inappropriate content.
Among the negative examples the guide lists:
Hulk Hands with Electronic Sounds (Toybiz Worldwide, $20), marketed for children "ages 4 and up"
Terminator 3 Movie: T-850 Teriminator Action Figure (McFarlane toys, $15), ages 5 and up
Lil' Bratz Fashion Mall (MGA Entertainment, $70), ages 4 and up
Leap Frog Baby Tad (Leap Frog, $27), ages 6 months and up
Oreo Matching Middles (Fisher Price, $7), ages 3 to 7
My Scene Chillin' Out Dolls (Mattel, $14), ages 3 and up
Barbie "Shop with Me" Cash Register (Mattel, $40), ages 3 and up
TRUCE recommends toys that promote dramatic play and manipulative play with small play objects, encourage respectful, non-stereotyped, nonviolent interactions among children, allow children to determine play, and help children develop skills important for further learning and a sense of mastery.
Among the positive examples the guide lists:
Boutique Bakery (Small World Toys, $42), ages 5 and up
Superoctons (Galt, $20), ages 3 and up
Solargraphics Kit (GeoSafari, $7), ages 4 and up
Scrambling Squirrel (Ravensburger, $15), ages 4 and up
Loopies (Small World Toys, $7 to $15), ages 2 and up
Scratch Magic (Scratch Art, $5 to $15), ages 4 and up
TRUCE is a local organization and its membership includes Professor Diane Levin from Wheelock College who has written extensively on violence in the media and its effects on children, as along with other local educators.
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Monday, December 4
Holiday Gift Giving Suggestion from "Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment"
by
MFB
on Mon 04 Dec 2006 08:00 AM EST
Saturday, October 28
Support for New Tools and New Media for Learning
by
MFB
on Sat 28 Oct 2006 05:06 PM EDT
The McArthur Foundation has launched an ambitious $50 million 5-year initiative to help determine how digital technologies andnew media are changing the ways in which young people learn and interact, socialize, play and participate in civic life.
The Field of Digital Learning And Media also offers educators a forum for connecting with a "knowledge network" of experts and educators using new technologies, case studies, and reports on ongoing projects. The effort also has a blog highlighting how schools and teachers are using these technologies. |
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