Depending on who you are, the racy new Gossip Girl ads have either made you snigger or caused the blood vessels in your forehead to bulge alarmingly. Either way, we suggest you take a moment to surf on over to Common Sense Media. The folks there are suggesting you use those ubiquitously provocative (provocatively ubiquitous?) ads as an opportunity to teach your kids about advertising, and have some tips which walk you painlessly through the process.
We wholeheartedly agree. It’s not about the ads. It’s how you respond to them.
Media literacy, baby. ‘Cause Britney Spears is going to come out with a new album sooner or later and you better be prepared.
Full disclaimer: Although we’ve never seen an ep of Gossip Girl, we are still absolutely certain that we would have loved this show back when we were teens.
The Dark Knight’s a little too angsty (not to mention violent) for comic-loving kids. So what’s an underage Batfan to do? Cartoon Network’s hoping they’ll tune in Friday nights this fall (parents in tow) for the new animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. According to the sci-fi folks at io9 reporting from Comic-Con this weekend, it’s “the goofiest, most kid-friendly Batman since the 1970s.”
Don’t expect the usual small screen setup. This Batman is sans Alfred. He’s Commissioner Gordon-less. And he’s not even in Gotham. The show stays true to the old “Brave and the Bold” comics, in which Batman’s constantly switching up locations and sharing quips with new hero sidekicks. (Look for Green Arrow, Aquaman and Blue Beetle to make appearances.)
We’re not saying this looks like a show which will teach your kids how to play the piano or get them all hyped up about algebra, but kicky, action-packed fun? We’re guessing yes.
Seventy-five years ago, the first English language story of Babar the Elephant appeared in the United States. The creation of Babar itself is a sweet story – the author, Jean de Brunhoff, based the first book on a story his wife, Cecile, had invented for their children. If there are Babar fans in your family, they’ll love the books on which the popular Qubo show is based, and you’ll find many for them to enjoy at your local library.
The STA’s Summer Tips are ideas for projects and activities inspired by your kids’ favorite shows, to help them learn while the TV is on and after it’s off. Look for more tips all summer long, to OutSmart the 150% Summer Spike in childrens’ television viewing.
Studio DC: Almost Live sounds like it could be coverage of the upcoming presidential election, yes? But good news: The stars of this new half-hour Disney Channel sketch comedy special are our beloved Muppets of yesteryear, not politicians. (Trust us, Muppets are way cuter close up. )
Premiering Aug. 3, Studio DC will be hosted by real-life Moppets Dylan and Cole Sprouse of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. But don’t let that keep you from watching. Here’s what you do you have to look forward to:
Billy Ray Cyrus introducing Whatshername, that wallflower daughter of his, to the Electric Mayhem Band
Kermit the Frog singing “Bop to the Top” with Ashley Tisdale
And…Miss Piggy not only casting herself as the “Jonas sister,” but then actually performing with the Jonas Brothers
Call us conspiracy theorists, but it sounds like Disney, which purchased all the Muppets (except for the Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock characters) back in 2004, is trying to re-introduce them to kids and tweens of today. And why not? No matter what generation you were born into (X, Millenium, Digital, I’m forgetting a few), a meeping Beaker is still downright adorable.
While The Wumblers is devoted to promoting serious issues like global consciousness and embracing diversity, the show is still incredibly lighthearted, entertaining, and downright whimsical – the characters’ babies come from watermelons! Some might call this absurd, and they may be right – did we mention their food falls from the sky? At the same time, their cheerful idealism is a lot like the carefree happiness you feel when enjoying a watermelon with your family on a bright summer afternoon. Check out The Wumblers website for different, fun, and very tasty ways to prepare and enjoy watermelon with your kids.
The STA’s Summer Tips are ideas for projects and activities inspired by your kids’ favorite shows, to help them learn while the TV is on and after it’s off. Look for more tips all summer long, to OutSmart the 150% Summer Spike in childrens’ television viewing.
Remember Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Superbowl? And all the hoopla it caused? And how red-faced and up-on-its-soapbox about indecency the FCC got because of it? Yeah, well, that’s all over. On Tuesday, a Federal Court threw out the $550,000 penalty the FCC had demanded CBS pony up. The judges even scolded the FCC, saying they acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” over what really was just a fleeting image of nudity.
The FCC reminds us so much of John Lithgow’s Reverend Shaw Moore character in Footloose. (Uh-oh, did we just date ourselves?) Well-intentioned… but mostly just sort of sanctimonious and ineffective. If Hooters can bill itself as a family restaurant, we’re pretty darn sure Janet Jackson’s slip didn’t scar kids for life.
But, hey! On the bright side, the FCC did recently nail Buzz Lightyear to the wall. It took years, but they did it. Um… way to go, guys?
Weigh in below: If your offspring was watching during the 2004 Superbowl halftime, do they remember what happened?
Backyard Habitat is a program by Animal Planet in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation that teaches people how to “make the planet a better place for animals – one back yard at a time.” Besides promoting environmentally conscious behavior, the projects make great family activities, and you don’t have to be a forest ranger or master carpenter to do them. One fun, artistic project we especially liked was the hand-painted watering dishes you can make with your kids for woodpeckers. Check it out!
The STA’s Summer Tips are ideas for projects and activities inspired by your kids’ favorite shows, to help them learn while the TV is on and after it’s off. Look for more tips all summer long, to OutSmart the 150% Summer Spike in childrens’ television viewing.
Their latest masterpiece of listy greatness (with video): The 50 Most Adorable Cartoon Characters. Kudos to writer Jen Chaney for not just skimming through the most recent Pixar movies. We haven’t thought of Gleek or Atom Ant in years. We also appreciate that the list is blissfully Smurf-free. And while we must take issue with some of the numerical order (Porky Pig beats Kipper by ten points? Really?), we’re touched that #1 wins for having more than just a sweet face and tail.
Nice to see, too, that the super-cute cartoon characters our kids are growing up with today – like Blue and Boots – are waaaay smarter than say, um, Babs Bunny. Is anyone ever going to apologize for eighties TV?
Between family vacations, visits to grandparents, trips to the beach, and everything else, it’s likely you and your kids are spending a lot of time in the family car. If you’re looking for new car-ride activities for your kids, we recommend Dora’s Colorful Car Bingo . The items on these printable NickJr Bingo cards are all objects your kids can spot out the car window, and they’re all labeled in English and Spanish. As you drive, your kids can circle the objects as they see them, and learn to say them two ways.
The STA’s Summer Tips are ideas for projects and activities inspired by your kids’ favorite shows, to help them learn while the TV is on and after it’s off. Look for more tips all summer long, to OutSmart the 150% Summer Spike in childrens’ television viewing.
Hey, you didn’t forget about that nasty summer spike in kids’ TV watching, did you? We know, we know, it’s not easy, what with heat waves and Avatar mini-marathons. But just in case your kids are beginning to take root on the couch, we’ve got a few words of encouragement as you pry them loose.
And not from us this time. From Dr. David Walsh, founder and president of the National Institute on Media and the Family. Because, well, sometimes we all need a little outside perspective.
Get it? Outside perspective? Because your kids really should be spending time outside instead of…Oh, forget it. Just check out this little PSA. We’re digging the video camera idea. Read the rest of this entry »
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While The Wumblers is devoted to promoting serious issues like global consciousness and embracing diversity, the show is still incredibly lighthearted, entertaining, and downright whimsical – the characters’ babies come from watermelons! Some might call this absurd, and they may be right – did we mention their food falls from the sky? At the same time, their cheerful idealism is a lot like the carefree happiness you feel when enjoying a watermelon with your family on a bright summer afternoon. Check out 
Between family vacations, visits to grandparents, trips to the beach, and everything else, it’s likely you and your kids are spending a lot of time in the family car. If you’re looking for new car-ride activities for your kids, we recommend 
