Mary Manz Simon's Blog, page 49
April 20, 2016
VR for kids
“Google cardboard with fries.”
That’s how one commentator described the Happy Meal boxes that turn into virtual-reality viewers.
McDonalds launched the trial run last month in Sweden. The process is simple: a child tears along perforated lines, folds the cardboard, inserts an included virtual-reality lens and adds a parent’s smartphone. Magically, the Happy Meal box becomes a VR headset.
Sounds like an upgrade from Pizza Hut’s pizza box projector.
April 18, 2016
Chick-fil-A wins mom votes
“Mom’s Valet” didn’t come soon enough for me, but it’s perfect for today’s Millennial Moms.
Parents can order at the drive-thru (with kids still in the car) then go inside to eat where an employee serves them at a table and the correct number of high chairs.
Great idea!
Will Wendy and Taco Bell catch on?
April 15, 2016
Family Friday
As an early childhood educator, each year “my” professional organization, NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children) draws attention to the importance of the years 0-8 during “The Week of the Young Child.”
Today, on “Family Friday,” young children throughout the country are celebrating the importance of those whom they love the most: it’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day all rolled into one day.
As an early childhood educator, I know that at least half of teaching young children is partnering with families. Today, we celebrate these people who prioritize the next generation.
April 13, 2016
More for “Maker” Girls
American Girl is grabbing onto the “Maker” movement.
Their new construction collection by Mega Blocks is inspired by the popular Girl of the Year characters.
Designed for girls ages 8 and up, I anticipate that ceiling will age down. Initially, the sets are exclusive to Toys ‘R Us, but will be available elsewhere after July 1.
April 11, 2016
Celebrate National Library Week
I am thrilled each time I see one of my grandsons with a book. A physical book.
These boys who breathe tech love to curl up with a book. They aren’t alone.
Both statistics and anecdotal reports from librarians and teachers say kids prefer physical books.
I’m thrilled and encouraged: children are smart enough to realize that good books are still good books.
April 8, 2016
Safe to eat?
Have recent headlines generated by Chipotle issues changed your definition of food safety?
Some moms are questioning their assumption that fresh = safe.
How do you define “clean food?”
April 6, 2016
Electronic candy
Do toys do the talking in your house?
Researchers have shown that if the toys are talking, parents and babies aren’t.
That’s important, because language acquisition is a key aspect of development during the early years.
Dancing bears and spinning robots are entertaining (for toddlers and parents) but hearing your voice is more valuable than any talking toy.
April 4, 2016
Mini runners
The running season kicked off last weekend here in our community.
Just like we saw in our area, I predict an increasing number of spring runs will include multiple opportunities for family members of all ages to get involved.
That prediction is inevitable: as Millennials become parents, these health-conscious and budget-aware moms and dads will bring their children. Smart race organizers are noticing that fitness is part of family identity.
Although family runs recognize fast times, an authentic experience is the focus for the most successful events.
April 1, 2016
“Unstoppable” emojiis
The push toward gender neutral toys (and related store signage) appeared to be one of the last battlegrounds to break sexual stereotypes in the world of children. However, P & G’s Always brand said, “Look what we discovered.”
Eager to empower adolescent girls during puberty, P & G researchers discovered that stereotypes have crossed over into technology.
Each day, girls send more than billion emojis on smartphones and tablets. Yet few emojis show strong, active, empowered females.
Encourage young girls in your world to join the campaign to “make girl emojiis as unstoppable as girls.”
Click link for more information:
http://always.com/en-us/about-us/our-epic-battle-like-a-girl
March 31, 2016
Digital dads
We commonly refer to “Digital Dads,” but recent research shows that’s really true, at least in the UK.
Dads go online for help- consulting parenting websites, blogs, online videos and apps – far more than asking their peers for advice.
Hmmm. Appears the Macho Dad is still alive and well.
