There are many times when a toy will specifically say for ages 8 & up and a younger child will ask for it. I’m guilty of letting my kids play with things geared for older kids, I also let them play with things that they are considered too old for. I feel the ages are […]
Age Recommendations on Toys, Do you pay attention? Read More »
There’s been some controversy around a recent J.Crew ad that has generated a lot of chatter about gender-appropriate play for kids, and what role parents should have in defining those boundaries. The ad featured their style director painting her son’s toenails pink, and included some text about how lucky she felt to have a son
Gender-Appropriate Play Read More »
Children’s worlds—and the toy and products industries—always reflect the adult world. I’ve long said that if one really wants to understand adult perceptions and values, one need only look at what is being reflected in toys, entertainment and lifestyles targeted to children. It’s not that complex. Kids want to be grown up, and they want
Debunking “The War on Childhood” Read More »
They’re gorgeous; they’re funny and just a bit gruesome. They’ve developed a fan base that would impress any star—and they’re dolls. Mattel’s Monster High dolls to be exact. They’re the teenage children of the classic monsters of literature and movies, and they are going to high school. Moreover, since they’re from the House of Barbie,
A Monstrous Good Time: Why Monster High Matters Read More »
I’m in Hong Kong this week at the annual Toy Fair, and in addition to talking toys my friends and colleagues from around the world, like everyone back home, is talking about the tragic shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and several others unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While
Of Tragedies and Teddy Bears Read More »
I laughed out loud when I read the piece in the New York Times about the movement to “restore play.”
Why Parents Should Heed The “Restore Play” Movement Read More »
I know, I know, it’s kind of easy—and expected—at the first of the year to write a blog about resolutions, particularly since most of them probably will be abandoned by the end of January. (Despite my good intentions, I will still be eating chocolate, for example.)
New Year’s Resolution—Play More Read More »
For years, girls have projected their fantasies on that beautifully designed lump of plastic called Barbie—just as neurotic adults have projected their unresolved issues and fears on her. Barbie is a cultural icon, and it’s easy to attack her, and media eats that up. But in the latest attack on the 51-year-old star, clarity of thought has been chucked, insanity rules, and the only response is a wide-eyed OMFG, as they say in text-speak.
Barbie Takes Another Hit—Insanity Rules Read More »
Thanksgiving is bearing down on us this week, with all the other holidays hot on its heels, and the drive to create perfection is weighing heavily on many minds. The search for perfection, and even the belief that it is possible is one of the great myths of our time. It was brought home even more fully this week by an article in the New York Times about altering kids’ school pictures so they could appear perfect.
The Perfection Trap—Staying Real Can Set You Free Read More »
If anyone else is scratching his or her head about the recent San Francisco ordinance to ban toys with fast food meals over 600 calories, they may be banging those same heads against the wall at a recent Yale study that effectively criticizes the line workers at fast food restaurants for adding to childhood obesity.
Fast Food Fracas — What You Can Do. Read More »
As I’m writing this, the polls are opening, and I for one won’t miss the robo-calls, the reams of direct mail and most of all the contentious, virtually inescapable ads, arguments and incessant news coverage highlighting the most excessive outbursts from candidates. Whatever the outcome, however, the permanent campaigning will simply go on, but perhaps the tone will be ratcheted back a bit, and that’s going to be a relief.
I write this column every year, and this year won’t be different. Halloween has always been one of my favorites holidays with respect to spending time with my kids. The choosing of the costume (always a long hard decision), trick or treating, and Halloween parties have made Halloween a huge event. (In recent years, the trend has continued to grow as more and more adults look to the holiday as one just for themselves and their families.)
National Trick or Treat Day Read More »
If I ever have to get bad news, I hope it’s from someone like Nora Brennan. She’s the children’s casting director for “Billy Elliott,” and about as big hearted and warm and attentive as possible. Faced with a phalanx of more than 140 girls at the open auditions for the show last month, she was welcoming, encouraging and supportive.
The Chance To Dance: Part 2 Read More »
No one really knows when dance entered human experience. There are paintings dating back more than 9,000 years that show figures in what we think of as dance. There isn’t a culture on the planet that doesn’t engage in some form of dance. Whether learned as part of ritual or as part of a discipline such as ballet or contemporary dance, the desire to move rhythmically and expressively is inherently human, and we idolize the grace and beauty of the human form in motion.
The Chance to Dance: Part 1 Read More »
With schools in many parts of the country in session for a couple of weeks and all kids back in school this week, learning is—or should be—on top of all parents’ minds. I spent the last month talking to parents and kids about going back to school, and one of the things they’re very concerned about is performance. In fact, almost too much. For some kids, especially those starting high school, the level of anxiety was particularly high. Why? Because they’re already concerned about their performance and how that’s going to affect their ability to get into college.
School’s In Session: Time to Fail Read More »
It’s that time of year again when parents everywhere are dealing with re-setting their child to get back in the school mindset. But before the learning begins, there are some basic routines that families can establish to make the transition as smooth as possible. Some of it rests with parents while kids themselves also have a role…so how is the work divided?
Transitioning Into a School Year Routine Read More »
Lots of kids are reading, and that’s cause for celebration. At least that’s what I take away from conversations with teachers, parents and bookstore managers over the past two weeks. Reading-and getting kids to read-is one of my passions, so any time I’m hearing this news I’m happy. And I don’t care how they got there.
Cheap Trick or Brilliance? Read All About It. Read More »
My 5-year old daughter recently told me “that just because boys are stronger than girls, doesn’t mean that they can hit us”. Which she then immediately followed with, “and just because girls are smarter than boys, doesn’t mean that we can call them stupid.”
I’ve sat through three parent sessions this week at my daughter’s school that dealt with “summer brain drain” and how to keep kids from losing 30% of what teachers worked hard all year to cram into their little brains. And while some of the information was useful, very little of it took into account that kids actually need and deserve some time off. I was also struck by “fun activity” recommendations they offered parents for keeping kids’ minds engaged all summer. I’m pretty sure that my daughter would not, in fact, enjoy me dumping her LEGOs all over the floor so that she can count them as she cleans them up.
Summer Brain Drain Read More »
I was in the supermarket earlier this week when I had the opportunity to watch a totalitarian regime in action, and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. From a mobile throne (aka a shopping cart), the little dictator somewhere around age five, was barking orders at the serf, who in a different form of government would be called “mom,” and her screams filled the store.
What’s With the ‘Tude? Read More »
Bans don’t work. Or at least they don’t achieve the desired end, which is generally to fix some problem in the culture. The Prohibition of alcohol in the U. S. from 1920-1933 was a disaster and gave rise to modern organized crime, helped fuel the “Roaring Twenties” and did nothing to prevent those who really wanted alcohol from getting their hands on it.
The story of the week for parents and kids seems to be the fate of the kids bullying Phoebe Prince, the teenager who killed herself as the result of aggressive bullying.
For something that’s supposed to be fun-a birthday party-lots of people can get pretty bent out of shape about them, especially when it comes to presents. If you’re the guest, questions as to what to spend or whether a parent is going to welcome something into the house are paramount. If you’re throwing the party, questions as to when to open presents and how to teach kids to be gracious are paramount.
Present Tense: Birthday Gifts Without The Stress Read More »
I don’t know whether it’s good, bad or just plain scary that my wife and I have thrown almost 50 birthday parties over the years for our kids. While you want to create memories that can last a lifetime, you do not empty your bank account. As a Birthday Vet, I’ve seen everything from disasters, to great parties on a budget to some that were nicer than my wedding, no kidding.
Make Sure “Happy Birthday” is Happy for All Read More »
