| |
|
|
| |
 |
Quotes |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
"Thanks
for all you do! In
addition to saving us time (and
money!), your reviews have
helped me have good discussions
with my son about how important
it is to make choices that
reflect our values." - Laura,
Austin, Texas
"This is
by far the best website I have
found for Christian schools to
see the content of books without
having to read them all.
Keep up the good work!" -
Gloria, Savannah Christian
Preparatory School
"I was
able to use the service to
determine if what my daughter is
reading is appropriate. It
turns out that there are a few
touchy subjects that I need to
discuss with her about the book
she's reading now. The
site is a huge blessing for
today's busy parents." -
Michelle, San Antonio,
Texas
"Discovery
Journey helps me be a better
parent. Knowing what my
children are reading and viewing
affords me an opportunity to
have more open communication
with them." - Peggy -
Atlanta, Georgia
"Your
commitment to good character is
demonstrated first hand in your
prompt and thorough response." -
Natasha - Naperville,
Illinois
"Your
service is outstanding." -
Amy - Lizella, Georgia
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Counter the Effects of Media Violence on Children
Despite the fact that their own ratings systems found the material
appropriate only for adults, the motion picture, music, and video game
industries practice "pervasive and aggressive marketing" of violent
movies, music, and electronic games to children. - Federal Trade
Commission finding regarding child entertainment
The values
depicted on TV and movie screens are a far cry from the values you want
your children exposed to in their formative years. For example, the
average American child will have watched 100,000 acts of televised
violence, including 8,000 depictions of murder, by the time he or she
finishes the sixth grade. In a typical American home, the TV set is on
for over seven hours each day, and the average child spends more time
watching that TV than they do in school, or doing any other activity
besides sleeping. And, while your children are glued to the tube
watching so-called child entertainment, they will see between 1,000 and
2,000 television ads promoting alcohol every year.
It's
difficult to control parental outrage in the midst of that kind of media
influence. How do you teach your child the concepts and character traits
that translate into better learning habits at school, better behavior at
home, and better citizenship in the world? How do you define loyalty to
a five-year-old? How to you teach a four-year-old about bravery and
respect? And how do you explain love?
These aren't simple
words that can be taught to your child by rote. They're complex concepts
that your child needs to know, understand, and adopt at an early age if
they're to succeed in life.
The key to teaching children
sophisticated character traits - such as courage, loyalty, justice,
respect, hope, honesty and love - is character-based education. The
heart of character-based education is guiding your children toward TV
shows, kid movie, and books that reflect positive values. While you may
not be able to give your child the words that explain diversity, you can
exert and control parental influence by giving him or her any Winnie the
Pooh book, which demonstrates that theme in ways a child can easily
understand. Pooh Bear also interprets the concept of family and the
value of friendship.
Thomas the Tank Engine teaches lessons
about cooperation, sharing, and the value of hard work. Your child may
not realize that they're being taught a lesson while reading about or
watching Thomas and his friends, but by the end of the book or TV show,
they will have learned a complex concept - and been entertained in the
process.
For older readers, The Wizard of Oz follows a similar theme.
When the Scarecrow complains of his lack of a brain, the Cowardly Lion
discusses his lack of bravery, or the Tin Man wishes he had a heart,
your child learns what intelligence, bravery, and love are, and why
they're so important. Dorothy tirelessly tries to find her way home, and
in doing so surrounds herself with new friends who work together to
overcome their weaknesses and harness their strengths. Even though your
child is engrossed in the story, the concepts of family, courage,
cooperation, home, and love are made clear.
 |
When you look at the values presented in the media, it becomes clear
that positive character traits are poorly defined for children. What one
child learns about bravery and loyalty from watching two bank robbers in
a kid movie is much different than what another child learns about
bravery and loyalty through reading about or watching Winnie the Pooh
helping a friend out of a jam.
|
As parents, combating the negative influence of media by filtering the
content to which our children are exposed - such as looking at a movie
rental review - may not be enough. Even if our children are an exception
to the national average - over six hours of daily exposure to the media
- it's safe to assume that their peers have internalized negative media
messages and will influence our children. To counteract negative media
and peer influences, we must take charge of our children's character
education. That's not easy, given that our active lives and hectic
schedules leave little time for reviewing and selecting appropriate
reading and viewing material for our children.
Still, you should do what you can to guide
your family toward materials that reinforce values that you hold
dear. Evaluate the content of each children's book, television
show, and movie rental review for positive and negative examples
of the following ten traits: self-discipline, compassion,
responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance,
honesty, loyalty, and faith. Also, look for negative behavioral
influences, such as violence, profanity, nudity, sexual content,
scary elements, and the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Then, make your selections according
to the messages that each book, television show, or movie sends your
children.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Example
Reviews & Review List:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Kid Tested |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Many of
the titles we list on Discovery
Journey are road-tested by our
10-year-old Triplet Testing
Team. To see the likes and
dislikes of each kid on the
team, see the
Meet the
Guides page.
In
addition, Discovery Journey
explorers share their family's
experience with books and movies
so that you can benefit from
their knowledge as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
