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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu
Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Linda Crowe, associate professor of family studies at K-State

1 Wrap
2 Actualities

You have selected a report on the pros and cons of giving children electronic toys as holiday gifts. This report contains one wrap and two actualities.

WRAP 1: An expert at K-State says there's nothing like the tried and true "classic" toy for holiday gift-giving.

TIME: 58 Seconds

SUGGESTED INTRO: WITH THE CONSTANT BOMBARDMENT OF TV, NEWSPAPER AND RADIO ADS PROMOTING HOLIDAY GIFTS, IT'S HARD TO DECIDE JUST WHAT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD. AN EXPERT AT K-STATE TELLS US ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME GOOD ELECTRONIC TOYS OUT ON THE MARKET THIS YEAR, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE TRIED AND TRUE "CLASSIC" TOY. LANICE THOMSON REPORTS.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AND MANY PARENTS ARE WONDERING WHAT GIFTS TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN THIS YEAR. DR. LINDA CROWE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FAMILY STUDIES AT K-STATE SAYS THE TRIED AND TRUE "CLASSIC" TOYS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE BECAUSE THESE TOYS ADDRESS A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. . .

(Crowe :35 "The areas that are critical later on in life through play and imaginative play children learn about the world and the world they're going to be living in. Electronic toys don't give them that feedback from the world. It's just requiring them to be more passive. They sit there and passively are getting information shot at them, and told what to do how to do it versus figuring out how to function in the world. I think that's why they've lasted."

CROWE SAYS THAT IF A CHILD DOES GET AN ELECTRONIC GIFT, IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR PARENT AND CHILD TO PLAY WITH THE TOY TOGETHER. LANICE THOMSON, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

 

ACTUALITY 1: A K-State expert says parents must choose toys that address a child's four basic areas of development

TIME: 21 Seconds

With the holidays approaching, it's not always easy to find that perfect gift for your child. Do you go with a new electronic toy that contains all the bells and whistles? Or do you select the tried and true "classic" toy that never seems to go out of style. Dr. Linda Crowe, associate professor of family studies at K-State says there are pros and cons when giving electronic toys to children. She says because we are living in a technological society, our children's future vocation will probably include some form of electronics. Crowe notes that some electronic toys can have a positive place in a child's life, citing Leap Frog and Baby Einstein as two companies that produce positive electronic toys for children. She says whether you go electronic or not, there are several things parents must keep in mind. This sound bite is 21 seconds and the outcue is ". . .toy to select."

(Crowe :21 "They need to think about four areas of development that the toy might address. Figuring out things work, or problem solving, creativity, physical development and social interaction, so if a toys aren't going to address those four areas of development, then it may not be the best toy to select.")

Crowe says some of her research indicates some electronic toys can be helpful in developing a child's vocabulary by providing new words that children haven't heard before. Some electronic games require children to figure out problems that can help them develop problem-solving skills. Crowe notes some of the new marketing strategies developed by electronic toy companies is to encourage parents and children to play with the toy together. If the parents are participating in playtime with the child, the toy can be more productive and the child is better able to develop some of the social skills that normally would be missed if played with the toy alone.

ACTUALITY 2: An expert at K-State says there are toys that she would not recommend for young children.

TIME: 49 Seconds

Crowe notes that there are certain toys that that - for safety reasons- she would not recommend for younger children. This sound bite is 49 seconds and the out cue is ". . . children to learn."

(Crowe :49 "There are certain toys for safety reason I would not select for younger children. Those are ones that have small pieces that they can swallow. Those are not sturdy durable toys that can break easily. You always have to be concerned how a battery fits into a toy. Is it going to be secure? Is the child going to be able to access that battery and get it out? And toys that really don't promote areas of development, they're more for bells and whistles and they provide some quick sensory stimulation but don't have any other educational value. And then also those toys that seem to promote violence and the non-cooperative kinds of interaction that we want children to learn."