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
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 … Continue reading
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
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
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
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 … Continue reading
Family meal times are getting a lot of press right now, and high time. Recent articles in The Christian Science Monitor by Mary Beth McCauley and the New York Times by Susan Dominus as well as the Huffington Post’s on-going series “Family Dinner Table Talk” extoll the virtues of this time-honored (but oft neglected) family … Continue reading
Peggy Orenstein: What was (and was not) in Cinderella Ate My Daughter Posted on March 9, 2011 by MARY ROTHSCHILD3 Comments Transcript of interview with Peggy Orenstein January 26, 2011 (Parenthesis are used for clarification where there is a cut-off sentence or cross-talk) M. R.: Thank you for taking time for this conversation this morning about Cinderella Ate My Daughter: … Continue reading
Welcome to Monday from the Archives: each Monday, something from the archives of Mary Rothschild: interviews, articles, insights. Today, the audio and transcript of an interview with author Lillian Firestone about her book The Forgotten Language of Children: A Journey in Living Authentically, originally aired on Brattleboro Community Radio in Vermont on October 18, 2011. … Continue reading
In the US, psychologists like Steven Stosny point to a link between anger and parental feelings of inadequacy. While the situations he cites will ring true to many of us as parents: the end of a bad day is likely to set off reactions, etc., I would advocate for a nuts-and-bolts, practical review of … Continue reading
Healthy Media Choices™ 
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