Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- December 16, 2008
To select the best toys for Christmas, don't believe the hype (:46)
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Suggested Intro:
FROM ELMO LIVE TO FUR-REAL FRIENDS, EVERY CHRISTMAS BRINGS A NEW LIST OF THE HOT TOYS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON. A PENN STATE EXTENSION CHILD CARE EXPERT ADVISES PARENTS TO LOOK PAST THE HYPE AND CHOOSE TOYS THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOOD FOR KIDS. MORE FROM GARY ABDULLAH:
Story:
(:17) THE EXCITEMENT SURROUNDING THE SEASON'S HOT TOYS OFTEN OVERSHADOWS THE FACT THAT THE MOST POPULAR TOYS MAY NOT BE THE BEST FOR YOUR CHILD. NANCY WILSON, AN EARLY LEARNING SPECIALIST WITH PENN STATE EXTENSION'S BETTER KID CARE PROGRAM, SAYS PARENTS CAN USE THE OCCASION TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO RESIST MEDIA INFLUENCES:
Wilson Actuality:
(:21) "MAKE SURE THAT YOU PROVIDE THEM WITH TOYS THAT PROMOTE LEARNING RATHER THAN SOMETHING FLASHY THAT'S KIND OF A ONE-TIME THING THAT THE CHILD WILL PUSH THOSE BELLS AND BUTTONS AND THEN SHOVE IT IN A CORNER. I PROMOTE BOOKS, BALLS AND BLOCKS AS THE BEST TOYS FOR KIDS. BECAUSE THEY CAN BE PLAYED WITH BY KIDS OF ALL AGES, THEY ARE USUALLY FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE, AND THEY CAN HELP CHILDREN LEARN."(:11) WILSON SAYS TOYS THAT PROMOTE PASSIVE PLAY CAN STIFLE A CHILD'S CREATIVITY AND THINKING SKILLS, SO PARENTS SHOULD LOOK TO BALANCE HIGH-TECH DAZZLERS WITH TOYS THAT ENGAGE. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.
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