Last Words for 2007

As I reflect on 2007 as it relates to children, I think there are reasons to be concerned. A major problem is the lack of governmental support in identifying tainted toys. When I listen closely to Nancy Nord, Acting Chairperson of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, I get the impression that her job is to protect businesses and not the consumer. With more and more products being identified as being tainted with lead or other harmful substances, I think things will get worse before they get better. I've heard Oprah remark many times that "When you know better, you do better. I'm not too sure that is the case with protection of children against tainted toys and adults as well.

Also, I think more creative thinking is needed in childcare. I just read an article in the New York Times titled Bright Ideas, which highlights how we often fail to think outside the box, career field notwithstanding. I think this situation is prevalent in early childhood education. As a local certification authority for Child Development Associate (CDA) eligible students, I was able to visit many childcare locations. After a while, I could predict what apparatus I would see in the next location on my list. Moreover, many of these products were made in China. I believe the same instructional ends can be achieved with a wider range of products, perhaps made in the US.

All in all, 2007 was good for me as it relates to child development because I'm not clear that helping children in same way is a central purpose in my life. I'm very anxious to see how 2008 will unfold for children. I know I'll do my part toward helping to create safe products and positive environments for children.

Happy New Year to All!!!

Children and Colors

When a NY Times article indicated that the Pantone Color Institute had announced the Color of the year as Iris blue: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20540&ca=10, I decided to check more into colors as they relate to children. I have been annoyed that we have chosen to make children's toys in primary colors as the rest of the world they interact with is painted in a kaleidoscope of colors. I guess the argument could be made that primary colors could be mixed to make other colors; however, that is a cop out in my view. In any case, I have decided to develop activities for young children using every imaginable color. My thinking is that children will find the wide rangie of choices refreshing. The Pantone Color Institute also has a link to a 2001 article concerning children and color with an angle to 9/11.

How to Praise Children

Good information concerning praising children.

Want More Active Kids?

Researchers in North Carolina concluded that childcare centers that provided portable play equipment as balls, hoola hoops, and jump ropes yielded more physically active children than sedentary children. Read more here.

Young Children Using Computers

As Christmas approaches, I'm seeing more television commercials touting the value of young children using computers for early learning skills practice. I think young children should use computers for learn on a limited basis only since they need the practice of developing fine/small motor skills that writing and other manual activities provide more than typing on a keyboard or keypad. Also, I think allowing significant time on computers encourages a sedentary lifestyle, toward which young children should be discouraged.

At this point I believe marketing computers and computer programs to young children has more to do with a new young market for companies than an interest in the best development opportunities for children.

What Type of Teachers Parents Want?

Apparently many parents want teachers who make their children happy than teachers who focus more on academic achievement according to a University of Michigan study highlighted at Science Digest. There is a difference in expectation (happiness vs. academics) depending on socioeconomic status, however. Read more here.

Watching Violent Images

I often wonder why in the U.S. we don't have the same level of protest for violence in media as we have for sexual content in media. Maybe we should reduce violence in media if we pay attention to a study that found that people viewing violence showed less restraint toward violence afterward. That finding should make us curb children's viewing of violence?

While I'm at it, what about erectile dysfunction commercials 24-hours a day? I could never understand why there is no protest for this commercials.

Low Lead Levels Also Harmful to Children

Apparently, paying attention to the federally established safe level of lead in toys isn't enough. A six-year Cornell University study reveals that levels lower than the federal requirement for children's items also produce negative effects in children. Read more here.

More...MSNBC has a report indicating that 35 percent of a sample of off-the-shelf toys contained lead levels higher than the recall level.