To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 16:31:25 -0800
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] it's a big, big world or whatever


Sure thing Mary.


William

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Horsley" <mphorsley-AT-earthlink.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 4:16 PM
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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