We see the need both to bring the sunshine of our attention to young children and to help them develop their own. The question is: how can time be found in the crazy-busy lives of families with young children for nurturing close relationships, resiliency, and the attention everyone needs for life? Parents and teachers see … Continue reading
Author Archives: Mary Rothschild
How to assess on-line resources about media and young children:
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 … Continue reading
Parents of Children Birth to Age Six
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 … Continue reading
Childcare Providers, Preschool Teachers and Schools
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 … Continue reading
Being Resolute
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
Faith and Humanist Communities
Many of us look to faith or humanist organization for help with living a life in accord 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 … Continue reading
Questioning the “New Normal”
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 and the Magic of Attention
Mr. Rogers shows us how to transform the ordinary with attention. Continue reading
Possible Marriage: “Medical” and Media Literacy Approaches to Technology in Early Childhood
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
Entertainment Media Educates
“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