Find us on Facebook

A Real Toy Story

The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that the best toys are not toys at all. Fuzzy blankets and empty boxes rule when you are inside; wild flowers, sticks and rocks for when you are outside.  A blanket becomes a cape or a tent and a box becomes just [...]

Empowered by the movement

Incredible. Inspiring. Energizing. Those are just a few words to describe the 7th Annual Consuming Kids Summit in Boston this weekend. Hosted by the unflagging Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (you may remember they were forced out of their home after taking on Disney and Baby Einstein), the success of this summit is testimony [...]

Doing More with Less this Holiday Season

As we enter the gift-giving season, the stress of what to buy and how to pay for it begins to mount. Take heart… Here are ideas to delight and inspire your family. The good news is, these smart choices for your family are not budget-busters.

Above all, keep in mind that the most valuable gift you [...]

Empowered by Play's Toy of the Year Award: Nature

Yesterday the Toy Industry Association announced its nominees for the Toys of The Year Award for 2009. It is the tenth year of these awards. From their press release: “The TOTY Awards celebrate the creativity and innovation of the toy industry and the products on the ballot represent this year’s ‘best of the best’ [...]

Announcing TRUCE's Infant & Toddler Play, Toys & Media ACTION GUIDE!

Wonderful news today! TRUCE’s Infant & Toddler Play, Toys & Media Action Guide is now available FREE online. We have been working incredibly hard on this important resource and I am proud of the results. (TRUCE stands for “Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment”.)

In the words of founding TRUCE member, Diane Levin, Ph.D., “We created this [...]

Media Madness Institute at Wheelock College

A few years ago, I was distraught and overwhelmed with the negative effects of popular culture, electronic toys and media in general on children’s imaginations, play and general well-being. Then I met someone who quite literally changed my life: Diane Levin. Diane is one of the experts in our world on this topic. She [...]

Zero to Three and other good ideas about your baby and play

A friend of mine, who is a fantastic middle school teacher recently became a dad for the first time. He emailed me looking for ideas and recommendations about play for infants and toddlers -an age group he is a little less familiar with, but learning about everyday! It’s a great question, and one that all [...]

"My daughter’s friend is obsessed with Hannah Montana. What can I do?"

“My daughter’s friend is obsessed with Hannah Montana. What can I do?” asked a mom. She was looking for advice on ways to manage her six-year-old daughter’s friendship in a way that supported her own values. The “Tween Scene” is hitting kids younger and younger, and it is no joke.

First off all, there isn’t a [...]

Great news!

Yesterday’s post left me feeling depressed. Today I will share good news. Actually, great news!

In the midst of all that is working against children and imaginative play these days, there is an active organization called TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment). TRUCE has been around for years and has produced a number of valuable resource [...]