In Last Child in the Woods, his seminal work on children and nature, Richard Louv quotes Paul Gorman, Founding Executive Director of the Religious Partnership for the Environment: Kids have to feel that this connection (with nature) is vital and deep in their parents. They see through us all the time…As the connection becomes more …
Many of us look to faith or humanist organization for help with living a life in accordance with our values. Today, with a large part of our days spent with technology and media, there is a strong need to look at our habits through the lens of our beliefs. Our research-based, individually tailored approach is …
We offer research-based, individually unique plans for intentional use in the home of a young child. Our process for reflecting on the actual habits and environments of each participant means that we avoid the “one size fits all” quick fix and help establish long-term, doable, adaptable practices that will stand the family in good stead …
There’s a lot of information flowing about some of our conceptions/misconceptions about the “digital divide” and what young children actually need. Articles in the NY Times point out some of the things those most involved with developing digital technology and media have to say about their own children. So, which organizations are trustworthy? Which give …
Those who care for and teach young children (birth to 6 years) often see the effects of media use – for good or ill – play out in the childcare or school environment. We offer clear research-based strategies for intentional use of screen time in childcare and preschool environments as well as speaking with parents …
There are four foundational steps toward an intentional relationship with media in the home when you have young children. 1: Get the information you need: Here are a couple of places to start American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Recommendations for Parents The AAP discourages media use by children younger than 2 years. The AAP …
In 1994, when my younger daughter was six years old, I saw firsthand that the commercialized media was impacting the environments of and affecting the attention of children her age. One example was when, at a Power Rangers birthday party for a classmate, the favors were only given if a child could answer questions about … Continue reading
Stop. Take a Step Back Before Buying Image by Pixabay at Pexels It mystifies me. No one else in my family likes turkey. That, and the fact that my husband has worked with indigenous peoples and is sensitive to the story around Thanksgiving, landed us having Thai food on November 23rd this year. I think … Continue reading
I’m deeply grateful to all the people I’ve met and worked with in the lat 20+ years working with Healthy Media Choices. Onward! Continue reading
When I was a kid, my father would retell familiar stories every Thanksgiving. We loved them. As I got older, there was some rolling of eyes. Now, I regret that we didn’t record that precious voice, those old stories, for my children and grandchild. Psychologists say that one of the gifts we can give our … Continue reading
Somehow, New Year’s resolutions leave me cold. Probably, this is because of experience with starting with an idea about what would be “better,” only to find that it was just that – an idea, with its own set of unintended consequences. Being resolute, actually finding a place in myself that can stand up to inertia and … Continue reading
Amazon’s advertisement: “We are the People With the Smile on the Box,” brought media ecologist Neil Postman to mind. On page twenty of his book Technopoly, he says: New technologies alter the structure of our interests: the things we think about. They alter the character of our symbols: the things we think with. And they … Continue reading
Mr. Rogers shows us how to transform the ordinary with attention. Continue reading
Reading “Media Literacy In Early Childhood: Inquiry-Based Technology Integration” by Faith Rogow sharpened my understanding of the different paradigms that govern thinking about technology in early childhood education. First, the fundamental difference between what Rogow calls the “medical model” based on the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Media Literacy Educators model … Continue reading
“Experts Defend Videogames’ Educational Role,” La Prensa’s article on a study from researchers at the Open University of Catalonia, caught my eye. What the researchers point to is the need for Ludoliteracy, an understanding of how video games work, what they teach and how they influence us as humans. They point to the marginalization of … Continue reading
This was originally posted on February 28. I’m updating because I want to add JeongMee Yoon’s work: “Pink is For Girls….” from Slate.com “The consumer embryo begins to develop in the first year of existence…Children begin their consumer journey in infancy…and they certainly deserve consideration as consumers at that time.” James U. McNeal, Pioneering Youth … Continue reading
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