Archives for February 2014

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Review Oscar Animation Nominees

With so much Oscar chat about Frozen putting all other animation contenders on ice, I thought I’d “get beyond the buzz” of school, social media and neighborhood chatter to ask kids who are trained as media critics by the KIDS FIRST! Coalition For Quality Children’s Media, a 501c3 nonprofit.After an extended chat with Ranny Levy, Founder and President of KIDS FIRST! about the … [Read more...]

Biggest Loser? Healthy Eating. Weight Loss Is Not Entertainment

May 3, 2016 Update Medical communities and studies on metabolic measures should skew headlines into bold "I told you so" moments given that many have wagged about this show doing 'more harm than good' for years, yet producers bring it back time and again, knowing profit over public health reigns supreme. "I'm surprised someone hasn't died yet" should have been at least a … [Read more...]

Shaping Youth at Sundance: Film Finds +Parenting Perspectives

Feb. 21, 2014 For the first time ever, Sundance Film Institute added a Sundance Kids division, to introduce and inspire youth with indie films...alas, I couldn’t find anyone who knew about it.It's been a month since Sundance, and though I've asked around repeatedly, even fellow media/screenwriter pals like Dana Moe Halley, who is covering some of the films focusing on families … [Read more...]

Youth Trailblazers Ignite Inspiration at First Ever Startup Weekend Oakland

Feb. 16, 2014 “You know you have something special when your teen and his friend are up and ready to head in to code by 7:15 am! –Startup Weekend Oakland is changing lives”—Leah McGowen-Hare“Thanks for the best weekend of my life. We built an app with complete strangers that could save lives' and had a blast while doing it.” — Iman Saint Jean, Winning Team, “HelpCircle” … [Read more...]

Olympic Teaching Moments: Body Image + Kids

Feb. 11, 2014 Long after the Olympics leave a wistful wake among those of us reveling in refreshingly positive storytelling, there will be ‘teaching moments’ that stick to our souls.Parenting primers like “What Kids Will Remember Forever From Watching the Olympics With You”  help kids explore backstories, inspiration, competition, geography, and even seed some critical thinking … [Read more...]