To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 11:04:54 -0800
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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