File puptcrit/puptcrit.0601, message 66


From: "Mary Horsley" <mphorsley-AT-earthlink.net>
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 19:16:24 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] it's a big, big world or whatever


William, 
May I share your great letter with the Reggio list? They have just recently
been discussing toys, etc. 

Mary

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
-Walter Bagehot

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the
choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape
ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make
are ultimately our own responsibility."-----Eleanor Roosevelt

"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are
dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do
it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many
tomorrows.

-Michael Landon

www.gentleteaching.com

We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
 
--Oprah Winfrey
 




> [Original Message]
> From: William Hennes <williamhennes-AT-charter.net>
> To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
> Date: 1/9/2006 2:04:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] it's a big, big world or whatever
>
> A very warm hello,
>
> Ok, I usually do not bite on these type of discussions, but I fell I have 
> the experience on the subject of creative education for preschoolers.  I 
> have spent 15 years working with preschoolers. I have been working with 
> preschool children in learning motor skills and confidence, along with 
> teaching parents how to be a teacher to their children and not always a 
> parent. They are two different roles to be looked at  Also, I have been 
> involved with 14 products or more that are considered educational
products 
> for children.  Most of these products are software.  I am character 
> designer, concept artist and animator in the media of interactive
products 
> for kids.  I just finished working on two interactive games for children, 
> one for Disney and another for an organization devoted to children's 
> education.  Both companies market towards kids, but have a different goal
in 
> mind. Sometimes when I hear these type of discussions, I get the sense
that 
> not a lot of people do not completely understand the battle that is going 
> on.  Defining it, parents want more wholesome things for their kids, but
DO 
> NOT want to pay the price for it. Yep, that is right. I have seen it and 
> heard it.
>
> Ok the next statement is for 90% of the US population.  KIDS decide what 
> toys they are going to get and what shows they watch, not the parents. 
The 
> toy industry has known this for a long time and they are the MODEL, they
set 
> the rules.  Most of the time an animated seris will not make it to the TV 
> unless there is already a toy deal in the works. The marketing is aimed
at 
> kids, so you design for what kids go for.  I know some of you would not 
> belive this, but I have sat in the marketing meetings, the tests with 
> childern and the interviewing of parents.  All parents want to make their 
> children happy and so guilt becomes a big player in it all.
>
> For all of these reasons, that is why I think puppetry struggles in the 
> adult venue and is so divided in the childerns venue.  I mean here we are 
> discussing the type of puppet,  rathering than lifting them up in the 
> community and saying, Good Job!  Well done!  Puppets of any kind rule!
> Jim Henson hit on a formula that works, but it is not the ONLY one for 
> childern.
>
> Personally I have researched a lot of the members puppets, when
available, 
> and I think there are fantastic! A creative force in the expression of
Art. 
> Personally I love Steve Axtells work and is an inspiration to me.  I was 
> working at Lucas when I first pulled up Steve's page and said, COOL!  
Also, 
> Andrews Bear Towne seris, very inspiring and I love the fact that the
clips 
> are available through the internet.  Mathieu's
> work, outstanding! All love to see waht he comes up with next. Some of
the 
> marionett work I have seen, I get memorized by, I stare at them for
hours. 
> I admire the the ability to just go out a do it!  Create it!  The world
can 
> be changed by one good idea!
>
> I watched the show, It's a big, big world this morining.  I thought is
was 
> very cool and fun.  However, my kids, preschoolers, did not care much for
it 
> and turned it to another show on music and dancing.  We limit waht shows 
> they are allowed to watch and we review them before they get to watch
them. 
> We encourage shows that have interactivity to them.  I have never seen
the 
> TV as the evil box, but as another tool to use with my childern. The 
> computer is thought of in the same way. I think when parents do not want
to 
> get involved and help their childern or get get up and dance with them 
> during one of the shows, you and your child  are missing an oppertunity
of 
> great interaction together.
>
> Ok, I have spilled it.  Time to build them ramparts before cannons start 
> firing :-)
>
> Cheers,
>
> William
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