But how aren't electronics and the like more fun than dolls as a kid growing up? (This is probably choir preaching here?)
Dolls are probably better for social play (i.e., girl stuff), I think, because with Big Trak or Merlin, you take turns playing with it individually, whereas with dolls or stuffed animals or whatever, you're interacting with each other using the toys.
I do recall a few weird gender-crossover things... I had mostly male friends for the first few years of elementary school, and having an older brother I was cool with playing with Matchbox cars and stuff like that. But I treated the cars like dolls -- they had personalities and storylines, and I remember there being some confusion when I realized the boys were just treating the cars as, well, cars. Crazy!
If I ever get a roomba, my new hobby will become constructing the 1812 shell to put over it.
Matt, check it out: [link]
If I ever get a roomba, my new hobby will become constructing the 1812 shell to put over it.
Seriously loving Matt right now.
If I ever get a roomba, my new hobby will become constructing the 1812 shell to put over it.
Seriously loving Matt right now.
Right there with you. Right there.
Dolls are probably better for social play (i.e., girl stuff), I think, because with Big Trak or Merlin, you take turns playing with it individually, whereas with dolls or stuffed animals or whatever, you're interacting with each other using the toys.
Play theory suggests that this is mostly true. But also that dolls (and cars) both serve as an entree for dramatic play, which is where kids can socialize and practice/experiment with social roles (dramatic play later serves as a stepping stone for early literacy). Girls also control play more often than boys. (stuff like where girls assign roles "you be the baby and I'll be the mom." "you say this" etc)
If we can design things that are somewhat emotionally engaging, it doesn't have to be as reliable.
Okay, NOT the lesson I'd like companies to be learning!
(I mean, yes, we named our Roomba* and find it's little quirks adorable, but I'd still prefer it didn't get so confused by cables & rug fringe, you know?)
ION, there was an 8GB iPod Touch on my keyboard when I came in this morning. I suspect this is our new office iPod (to show off our content to new media clients at pitch meetings), but until someone comes in and confirms it, I'm going to assume it's a present to me for being so nice.
*Hera, after the baby Cylon
I stayed up way too late last night. At least I finished my book, so I can start fresh today. Now I should be working before I go to the airport, but bleh.
I wish someone would leave an iPod Touch on my desk as a giftie.
But alas. Instead I get notes with things that tell me how many kids are where at any point in time.
I am not actually awake. I know my arms and legs are moving, and I drove into work and grunted hello to my coworker, but this is not an awake feeling.
ION, there was an 8GB iPod Touch on my keyboard when I came in this morning. I suspect this is our new office iPod (to show off our content to new media clients at pitch meetings), but until someone comes in and confirms it, I'm going to assume it's a present to me for being so nice.
Hmm. See, I'd be all, "iPod? What iPod? There wasn't anything on my keyboard when I came in!"
