World Wildlife Day, Kids and Nature: Connect to Protect

March 3, 2015 It’s World Wildlife Day... And opportunity awaits.Can we bring kids closer to nature online in order to get them out IN nature offline?Is empathy and stewardship obtainable through a mediated screen?How do we get beyond caring through "clicktivism" and implore kids to experience the majesty of wildlife in boots on the ground hike-n-help style with all the health … [Read more...]

Can Digital Kids Click With Nature, Wildlife?

Aug. 25, 2016 Update Celebrate 100 Years of our National Parks with FREE admission today! In honor of this centennial milestone, a quick roundup of children's media designed specifically to get kids OUTSIDE to play outdoors in nature and learn eco-literacy lessons for life. Which media would you add that boosts kids knowledge and curiosity about the environment, wildlife … [Read more...]

Amazon Kids Shows Segue Screen Time Into View + Do

June 30, 2014 “What’s a cookie cutter?” said one student as I passed out the tools to build a knock-off of a Lunchable as part of a health literacy ‘switch pitch’ teaching about ingredients.“What do you even DO with Playdough?” said another when I gave mini-tubs to kindergarten kids who poked at it curiously as if they’d never seen or played with it before.These are some of the … [Read more...]

Gaming: A Battle Over Anorexia In World of Warcraft

June 7, 2014 This coming week I’m attending the colossal gaming #Gsummit in S.F., a four-figure fee fandango (won in a drawing) that I’m eagerly sweeping my slate for in order to learn from ‘the biggies’ how large scale gaming and gamification can impact behavior change, physical/mental and social-emotional environments, education, imaginative play, and even widespread public … [Read more...]

Toys R Us Throws Mother Nature Under the Bus In Prankvertising

Nov. 8, 2013 Update! Colbert gives a ‘Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger in his Nov. 6 edition, Forbes adds a resource roundup of the backlash among moms, (though I'd add it's not a gender issue as dads are equally ticked) C&NN's Suz Lipman adds her voice/views, and Ad Land calls out “concern trolls,” thoughts?Nov. 4, 2013 “Don’t bite the hook,” is my mantra for using media … [Read more...]