Robin Marantz Henig’s timely article “Why Do We Play?” (New York Times Magazine, February 17, 2008) highlights the consensus among a variety of experts that play has a neurological effect on children’s brain growth. However, in addition to studying the act of playing, we need to look at the tools of play. Today’s kids are not only playing baseball and dress-up in the real world; they’re also playing these games online, or infusing them with props that light up, keep score, or otherwise direct their play. If playing helps kids gain lifelong skills, how does the influence of toys embedded with technology affect that skill building? Is nurturing an avatar the same as feeding a baby doll? Is a playdate still a social interaction when it’s played online? Are handhelds rewarding kids who think quickly, rather than critically?  If we want to raise our next generation to be innovators who know how to play in— as well as out— of the box, we need to question how today’s toys are shaping tomorrow’s thinkers.

Claire Green 
Wendy Smolen
Co-founders, Sandbox Summit

The first annual Sandbox Summit, held at CES 2008 in Las Vegas, demonstrated a high degree of interest in the next generation of digital consumers — our kids. Better still, it demonstrated high interest in making sure that there will be high quality products that encourage innovation, exploration and creativity.

Equally as important … attendees had a blast.

We’ll be using this space to post some of the photos from CES so come back and visit off.

Worth Waking Up For: The morning kick off was powered by Nickelodeon’s muffins, coffee and Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. Brodsky spoke of played like kids but who loved using adult-like digital toys. Nick introduced a line of kids consumer electronics equipment including a Sponge Bob camera this fall.

Elmo Steals Show: Keynote speeches take on a new meaning when Sesame Street’s Elmo delivers them. Elmo (along with the voice of Kevin Clash) and some inspiring words from Terry Fitzpatrick of Sesame Street Workshop stole the show.

Claire Green, President of Parents’ Choice, reminds us that kids are teething on remote controls.

Editor’s Note. Microsoft was one of the first corporations to step up to the Internet Safety challenge, and over the year’s they’ve created a number of educational and technological aids for parents and kids. This report from Microsoft talks about some of the new tools and resources that help parents make the right decisions. Read the rest of this entry »

Brian Baker, Hopscotch Technology CEO, wants us to make sure we’re setting limits along with buying technology for the kids.

Shopping for our kids’ holiday gifts can be a whimsical experience that reminds us of how much fun Christmas was when we were young. However, in the excitement of searching out the perfect gifts for our children, it is easy to forget that we, too, will have to live with the choices after the holidays are over. When it comes to the coveted electronics that are on so many lists this year, we need to remember to balance them with toys and presents that don’t involve screen time. Read the rest of this entry »

Gary E. Knell of Sesame Street looks at the influence of media past, present, and future.

During the 1984 Super Bowl a commercial made an impact on the American perception of personal computers. Apple’s commercial “1984” promoting the, then new, Macintosh computer, played off George Orwell’s classic novel. The spot showed a woman breaking through the ranks of followers of a Big Brother figure presiding over them and proceeds to hurl a hammer at the figure on the screen, setting off an explosion of light onto the followers. A voice over then announced, “On January 24^th, Apple Computer will introduce the Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like “1984.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Families are spending billions to ensure their children have the support they need to excel in school now to get into a great college later. Hiring private tutors or attending tutoring centers are perhaps the most popular solutions. But there is higher tech way that can prove to be both more timely and more cost effective. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s time to start paying attention to noisy games and gadgets and what they can do to young ears. Read the rest of this entry »

Andrew Sroufe of Jasman Toys says Peter Pan was on to a good thing. Read the rest of this entry »

Content and technology need to marry in order for people to enjoy their media. Read the rest of this entry »