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7:15 AM | link
Particularly relevant to the future state of our democratic union is research showing that the more time babies spend in front of TV, the less time they spend in one activity which we know is educational--creative play. Losing, or never acquiring, the ability to play may not sound like much until you realize that play is essential not just to learning, but to democracy. It's through playing that children learn skills essential to thriving in, and protecting, a democratic society. Critical thinking, initiative, curiosity, problem solving and creativity are capacities that develop through play, as are the more ephemeral qualities of self-reflection, empathy, and the ability to find meaning in life.
And what do children learn from the more than forty hours a week they spend with a commercially dominated media? They are being taught the corporate values embraced and promulgated by the Bush administration--unthinking brand loyalty, impulse buying, and a belief that consumption is the solution to all ills. Remember, this is the administration that told us to go shopping after the World Trade Center was attacked.
9:06 PM | link
I started this book this afternoon and finished it before bedtime. The author's story is engrossing yet so sad. I wasn't popular in school by any means, but luckily I experienced not one iota of what the author had to endure. Hopefully this book will bring bullying to the forefront of parents' and teachers' minds and encourage them to learn more about effective responses to bullying.
My only minor criticism of the book is that I wished the author had commented more on how very lucky she was to have all the resources at her disposal that she did -- a seemingly affluent family that for example, could whisk her out of the country on a moment's notice. My heart goes out to kids who have to deal with bullying without those luxuries.
But I hope more parents, teachers, bullies, and the bullied read this book. Here are some resources that she lists at the back of the book for those needing help or wanting to learn more:
KidsPeace
Bullying Online
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE