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KIDS FIRST! NEWS 2004
Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
CQCM Newsletter Archive:
KIDS
FIRST!® NEWS 2004
Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
February 12, 2004 Issue #1
Christine L. Pollock, Editor
Ranny Levy, Publisher [email protected]
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Letter from the President, Letter from the Editor, Readers’ Comments
2. New Endorsements
3. Media News
4. Family and Parenting News
5. KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival Opens at The Scholastic Auditorium,
New York City
by Christine L. Pollock
6. Curriculum Connections-
Excerpts from Media Literacy Across the Curriculum
by David M. Considine, Ph.D.
7. Events
8. Member News
* Permission to forward or reprint the content herein is granted with complete
attribution
-------------------------------------------------
Welcome to KIDS FIRST!® NEWS. All articles are by Coalition for
Quality Children's Media unless otherwise noted.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
We often spend so much time coping with problems along our path that we forget
why we are on that path in the first place. The result is that we only have
a dim, or even inaccurate, view of what's really important to us. - Peter Senge,
The Fifth Discipline
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
I’m always delighted to see February arrive. Ground Hog’s Day aside,
to me it is the month of renewing love for those special people in our lives.
Valentine’s Day appears like a warm glow smack in the middle of the coldest
weather of the year. We’re given an opportunity to practice “random
acts of kindness” just like the bumper stickers used to say. What a great
time to practice forgiveness, to let someone get that better parking place without
being annoyed, to recognize the goodness in everyone. I remember several years
ago when my mother was gravely ill. My sister and I had been at the hospital
all day long for days and were emotionally and physically wrung out. We were
walking out at the end of yet another long day and headed to find something
for dinner. As we hurried out of the building, a somewhat befuddled gray-haired
woman came up to my sister and asked her something. I was ahead of her and stopped,
waiting. My sister listened to her, led her elsewhere in the building and was
gone three or four minutes before she returned. She looked at me and said, “I
think she was my guardian angel.” I asked her why she thought that and
she replied, “I don’t know but somehow, in helping her I forgot all
about all our problems of the day.” My sister’s like that sometimes.
I don’t know if that old woman was her guardian angel or not, but I know
one thing - my sister is and always has been my guardian angel. I hope all of
you have a chance to celebrate your love with someone this Valentine’s
Day and may your guardian angels hover close.
Speaking of love, we’ve had a slight change of plans here at KIDS FIRST!
I’m delighted to introduce to you our new editor for our E-zine-Christine
Pollock - a lovely woman. Christine has been an All-Star KIDS FIRST!® Juror
since December, 1999, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education,
has been a home day care provider, home schools two of her three children and
is a Thomas the Tank fan! Christine has been a free lance writer for the KIDS
FIRST!® e-zine since November, 2003 and we’re pleased to welcome her
as our new E-zine editor. Enjoy her first issue.
Much love,
Ranny Levy
President, KIDS FIRST!®
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Friends,
This year has started off fast and furious. The effects of media are on everyone’s
mind after the Super Bowl surprise. It’s actually a wonderful time to focus
on the KIDS FIRST!® mission of providing the visibility and availability
of quality children's programs.
As a writer, parent, educator, and former Head Start daycare provider, I have
been watching the changes at KIDS FIRST!® with great interest.
It is rare, in this day and age, to find people who work non-stop for the benefit
of other people. This is something I admire and respect in the individuals who
work for KIDS FIRST!®
Since December 1999, I have been a Juror. I have watched KIDS FIRST!® grow
and strengthen. When Ranny asked me to become editor of the newsletter, I accepted
with great pleasure.
On January 10, I had the opportunity to attend the 2004 Film Festival kick-off
at the Scholastic headquarters in New York City. As I talked with the Girl Scouts,
I was impressed with the way the girls analyzed the media presented. My article
below tells about the experience.
Since the kick-off, we've been in more than 17 different cities in New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and New Mexico.(The detailed list is on the
website.) We've recently created a mini-festival specifically for children's
museums, non-profit film centers and similar institutions which will be starting
this month in Denver and Houston, and next month in Richmond, Virginia.
We've contacted more than 100 museums nationwide, and are anticipating a major
expansion with children's museums this year. Simultaneously, we've been adding
programming to our festival. To find it, go to http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/.
Remember that you can bring the festival to your community by simply contacting
our office (505-989-8076.) We will be more than happy to add you to our tour.
Have a wonderful month!
Christine Pollock, Editor
NEW ENDORSEMENTS
*****************************************************
Video/DVD- Ages 0-2
* BABY LOONEY TUNES: BACKYARD ADVENTURES - Features Baby Bugs and friends as
puppets exploring insects, flowers and other backyard wonders. Combines live
action footage with puppets. Adult Juror Comments: Well produced but lacks focus.
Cartoon characters alternate with baby pictures and occasional photos. Intended
audience is questionable since images are aimed at 2-year-olds but vocabulary
level is 4- to 5-year-old level. Kid Juror Comments: Watched for a few minutes
then wandered off. Video. 34 min.; $12.94; Age: 1-3. CHILD SMART.
* BRAINY BABY - ENGLISH, LEARNING FIRST WORDS - Introduces colors, numbers,
favorite objects, action words and familiar phrases, all voiced by a friendly
female narrator. Fun music, a nursery rhyme and a vocabulary review section
make this a fun learning experience. Adult Juror Comments: Well photographed
but fragmented. Basically a set of animated flash cards. Inappropriate for babies
despite the title. Most 4-year-olds already know these words. Most appropriate
for ESL program with 4- to 7-year-olds. Kid Juror Comments: Captivated them.
Watched attentively, guessing the names of things and numbers. Liked the use
of other babies and kids. Fast pace and soothing music appropriate for this
age group. Viewing in segments worked well. Video. 45 min.; $15.95; Age: 1-3.
THE BRAINY BABY COMPANY.
Video/DVD-Ages 2-5
** POCKET SNAILS LETTER ADVENTURE POCKET SNAILS - Join Jake and the Pocket
Snails on a magical adventure learning the letters of the alphabet. Adult Juror
Comments: If you enjoy the Teletubbies, you'll enjoy this. It is very colorful,
cute and cheerful. The cognitive benefits of letter recognition are questionable
as it doesn't really show examples. Fast paced, good animation; repetitive.
Kid Juror Comments: Liked the alphabet and the music. "It made me sing
and dance." "We liked the pocket snails singing together." Kids
enjoyed recognizing the letters they saw onscreen but it didn't hold their attention
for long. VideoDVD. 35 min.; $14.95; Age: 2-5. SOARING STAR PRODUCTIONS, LLC.
*** THE SNOWY DAY…AND MORE EZRA JACK KEATS STORIES - One winter morning
Peter wakes up to see that snow has fallen, covering everything in the city.
His exciting adventures come to life in this adaptation of the perennial children's
classic and Caldecott medal winner. Adult Juror Comments: Wonderful. Gentle
story-telling, delightful music and art. Muted, beautiful animation with acoustic
guitar. Methodically slow pace. Rare glimpses of a child alone, engaging in
imaginative play, allow children to project their own experiences and stories.
Kid Juror Comments: Most were excited to see small stories from their own lives.
"I loved it." "Peter was too big to sit in the chair, and he
gave it to the baby." "I have a baby sister now." Some tried
to whistle along as Peter struggled to learn how to whistle for his dog. DVD.
27 min.; $14.95; Age: 2-5. NEW VIDEO GROUP, INC.
** THIS LITTLE PIGGY STAYED HOME - Interactive music, activities and fun for
indoor days. Adult Juror Comments: Ideas and activities good; presentation more
appropriate for adults than kids. Demonstrations of activities are unclear.
Offers new games and encourages puppet play, parental involvement, and moving
to music. Pace too fast for kids. Kid Juror Comments: Enjoyed it. "We sing
these songs at my day care." "My favorite was the Piggy and his mom."
"Nobody said anything bad. They were all singing and dancing." They
wanted to play some of the games afterward. VideoDVD. 28 min.; $16.95; Age:
2-5. WAY WAY ENTERTAINMENT.
Video/DVD-Ages 5-8
** ELLIOT THE INVINCIBLE - The town jocks have exiled a boy named Elliot from
their zany new game, Flobo, and given him a cruel nickname. But the Good Sports
Gang knows that everyone has a talent and they're off to the rescue. Elliot
learns that everyone is a champ. Adult Juror Comments: Fun and light. Cute characters,
catchy music. Good mix of live action and cartoons. Christian content. Uses
a sports theme to present wholesome messages of hope and self-esteem to children.
Enjoyable "bloopers" and "how it was done" segment at the
end. Kid Juror Comments: Sang and danced and re-told the story. Liked seeing
how the video was made. "Sometimes I feel like I don't have a talent."
"They were helping the little boy find his talent and feel proud."
"I liked the end when he is feeling good about himself." Video. 40
min.; $12.95; Age: 3-8. GOODTIMES ENTERTAINMENT.
** FOLLOW JADE! LET'S GO TO MARKET IN CHINA - Teaches basic Mandarin Chinese.
Children will have fun visiting a market and farm in China and learning about
fruits, animals, body parts, action verbs and more. Adult Juror Comments: Appealing.
Gentle and interesting. Many approaches shown in segmented clips, with game-like
"quizzes." Pleasing mix of gender, race and culture. Not for bilingual
kids just learning English, but "a decent way for even adults to learn
basic Chinese." Kid Juror Comments: Liked the pace, songs and seeing interracial
children. Participated in the games and interacted with the body parts segment.
Attempted some words. "I liked the yummy food and the girl's dress."
"They sang songs we know in Chinese." "It's just good."
Video. 29 min.; $19.99; Age: 4-8. MASTER COMMUNICATIONS.
Video/DVD-Ages 8-12
*** THE TIN FOREST - In the story of the Tin Forest, a lonely old man lives
in a gray place, surrounded by other peoples' discards, but he builds the forest
of his dreams. The story parallels the lives of the children of 9/11 who have
healed and who tell their own stories. Adult Juror Comments: Stellar, powerful
production. Sensitive treatment of a tough subject allows the viewer to hear
the children's fears as well as their hope and resilience. Touching without
being frightening. Inspiring. Shows more about hope for the future than the
tragedy. Kid Juror Comments: Riveted them. They loved the song and story and
asked how the kids survived the buildings crashing. "It was sad and happy
at the same time." "Different people in different places helped the
kids." "The kids smiled, so I knew they were glad to be back."
Video. 30 min.; $39.95; Age: 5-13.
*** UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES - A children's celebration of America, the
heart of this production is its emphasis on the commonality of people and the
strength to be found in unity, friendship and peace. Provides America's kids
a voice. Adult Juror Comments: Excellent, upbeat video. Great job with video,
editing and sound. Super clips of history, songs and dancing. "Amazingly
fast and fun. The jokes are a riot. The parents will enjoy as much as the kids."
"Truly a video for the children, by the children." Kid Juror Comments:
A huge hit, across the board. They sang the entire video and asked about freedom,
the flag and the Statue of Liberty. African, Indian, sword and dragon dances
were favorites. "Brown people, white people, yellow and more!" "It's
good to be different." Video. 60 min.; $9.98; Age: 5-12. GOLDEN FILMS.
CD-ROM 8-12
** BE ALERT, BE PREPARED, BE SAFE - Interactive training tool for children
on the dangers of abduction. Uses dramatic situations, worksheets and coloring
sheets. Adult Juror Comments: Professional program that can be useful to parents
and children alike. Starts up immediately. Presents important safety information
in a positive way. Video clips get issues across quickly. Internet safety particularly
useful. "Good for the classroom." Kid Juror Comments: Appreciated
it for what it is. "I knew most of this stuff but it was interesting to
see." "Your parents tell you about it, but this kind of makes it real."
"You don't have to install anything, just wait for it to work." "It
had technical difficulties." CD-Rom. WIN/MAC; 30 min.; $12; Age: 8-12.
Child Protection Education of America.
MEDIA NEWS
*****************************************************
KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival Opens
at the Scholastic Auditorium in New York City
By Christine L. Pollock
Chattering voices bounce off the walls at the Scholastic Auditorium at Scholastic
headquarters on Saturday, January 10, 2004. The Girl Scouts filing into the
theatre are undaunted by the single digit temperatures outside. This is the
kick-off for the fourth annual KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival in New
York City.
Over the next few weeks, the Junior Girl Scouts will be working on Junior Film
Critics patches. They will study the media industry and review videos, films,
and television programs verbally and in writing.
Dawn Nolan, Senior Vice President of Membership and Program for the Girl Scout
Council of Greater New York, states that about three hundred girls are working
for their Junior Film Critics Patch. Their leaders have been trained by KIDS
FIRST!® to help the girls achieve this goal.
One leader, Eleanor Gray, said the training was wonderful. “I want to
go again and take my older kids.” Eleanor and the other leaders teach the
girls to analyze media, including commercials. They emphasize that just because
something is advertized, it doesn’t mean it’s a quality product or
that they have to buy it.
Eleanor points out that advertisements have “taken Christmas away.”
She believes that the holiday season has become too commercial. The Girl Scouts
are learning to evaluate products and story lines so they are not easily swayed
by advertising hype.
In fact, the KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival and the training sessions
have such a positive effect on the girls and their viewpoints of media, they
remembered lessons from last year’s festival. When asked about last year’s
film festival, Sydney and Jindara respond that the animated titles were “really
cool.” They loved the 3-dimensional effects of the movies they saw. Most
of all, they realized that the characters in the movies were not real. The live
version of Dora the Explorer who walked on-stage after the movies further emphasized
that point.
Chloe was not at the festival last year; this is her first time attending.
She loves doing arts and crafts in Girl Scouts -especially sewing, candy-making,
and beading. She’s uncertain what the films are going to be like or what
to expect. All she knows is that the older girls she came with loved attending
the festival last year.
The focus of this year’s KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival Event
at Scholastic is the making of media. Terry Solowey, KIDS FIRST!® East Coast
Outreach Director and former Girl Scout, welcomes everyone and kicks off the
film festival. Terry met many of the girls last year when she moderated panels
of them at the Festival. She congratulates the girls on their fine work critiquing
media.
The girls have obviously been doing their homework. Ken Olshansky, Senior Vice
President, Television Programming, Scholastic Entertainment, asks the audience,
“What is media?” A young girl responds, “People that go inside
a story, find out information and put it on TV.”
Ken summarizes the mission of Scholastic: “Every child deserves a good
book.” Scholastic believes in enriching the quality of kids’ lives
by making media more helpful, hopeful, and positive. A fine example of quality
media is one of the nation’s most loved characters, Clifford the Big Red
Dog.
After Ken’s short speech, the lights dim and the kids sink back into the
plush, red seats to watch a movie. The film shows some of Scholastic’s
best and newest work. As the theme song for “Clifford” begins, the
theater fills with the sound of children singing along. They watch clips from
“The Magic School Bus”, “Clifford’s Puppy Days” and
“Spyler and Cece.” The Girl Scouts even get to see a preview of a
show scheduled to come out in the fall of 2004 entitled “The Misadventures
of Maya and Miguel.”
When the Scholastic preview ends, Linda Lee, President, Weston Woods Studios,
speaks. She tells the girls how Morton Schindel, the founder of Weston Woods
and a Coalition for Quality Children’s Media Honorary Board member, was
told that he was too sick from tuberculosis to do anything but become an artist.
He decided to become a Filmakers. Now, fifty years later, his company is the
largest producer of book-based films in the world.
Weston Woods animates stories such as “Harry the Dirty Dog,” “Where
the Wild Things Are,” “Cordoury” and “There Was an Old Woman
Who Swallowed a Fly.” Ms. Lee taught the Girl Scouts five goals in film
making:
1. Determine the message
2. Determine who the audience is
3. Determine your objective
4. Determine the context
5. Determine the medium
Clips from some of the Weston Woods films are shown. The children sing and
giggle along with There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly. Linda Lee points
out that not every book makes a good film. There is a detailed process in accessing
a book before it becomes considered to become a film.
Melissa Reilly, Producer, Weston Woods Studios, describes this process. She
explains how much she enjoys her job. The goal of Weston Woods Studios is to
instill a lifelong love of reading through video. Melissa gets to read piles
and piles of children’s books before one is selected to animate.
Once a book is selected, the producers locate experts from around the world
to bring voices to characters, work on computer animation and graphics, create
the music and edit the film. Melissa encourages the Girl Scouts to “dream
big.”
The question-and-answer time at the end shows that the girls are processing
the information presented. They ask thoughtful questions such as, “Is it
difficult to decide how to draw a character?” and “When you were little,
did you want to be in the film industry?”
The KIDS FIRST!® goal of inspiring kids and teaching the girls to use discernment
in media is also achieved. Chasity likes to draw, and realizes that she might
be able to make her own films or books someday. Hillary wants to be a pediatrician
and work with kids. She wants to show her future patients the importance of
thinking for themselves when watching media and finding good movies and books.
I wonder if any of them might end up working for Scholastic or Weston Woods
Studios?
Curriculum Connections
-Excerpts from Media Literacy Across the Curriculum
by David M. Considine, Ph.D. (From Cable in the Classroom)
In the past decade, media education has slowly begun to find its way into curriculum
frameworks and standards throughout the United States.
Perhaps nowhere is media literacy more logically located than within the social
studies, with their emphasis on civics, citizenship, community, and the process
of locating, gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information.
Media literacy is a logical, even necessary match for social studies standards
that address global connections, individual development and identity, and individuals,
groups, and institutions. Along with the family, schools, and churches, mass
media must surely be considered major agents of socialization, and therefore
worthy of study.
With more and more Americans identifying themselves as political independents,
rather than as Democrats or Republicans, state and national media have an obligation
and responsibility to recognize alternative voices in the political landscape.
For full report, go to http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article551.html
Center for Media Literacy MediaLit Kit
The Center for Media Literacy presents MediaLit Kit and Orientation Guide. Like
a map for a journey, the CML MediaLit Kit provides a path for navigating our
global media culture. FREE on their website. http://www.medialit.org/
Digital Filmmaking Academy For Native Youth
Hokan Media Productions collaborates with tribal communities offers basic training
in the skills necessary to produce a digital film. Students are trained in scripting,
camera basics, shooting techniques, sound recording, lighting, and editing while
being divided into three groups. For more info, go to http://www.pbs.org/merrow/listenup/network/organizations/hokanmedia/index.html
Writer/Producer for Urban Latino TV
Urban Latino TV (ULTV), an award winning, nationally syndicated half-hour weekly
culture and lifestyle TV show targeting the U.S. Latino youth market, is seeking
two assistant writers for their Spring 2004 season to work closely with head
writer and producers to shape/develop show content. These are contracted paid
positions, from
January thru May 2004. Send resume, demo reel and/or writing samples to: Urban
Latino TV, 37 West 20th St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10011, ATTN: WRITER. Resumes
may also be sent to [email protected] or fax to 212-627-3194.
Bra!n Camp East 2004
March 11 and 12 in NYC. A high-level, cross-media conference specifically geared
to major players in children's entertainment. Registration limited to 100 people.
More information at www.braincamp.com or by emailing [email protected].
Jump Cuts: Young Filmakers Showcase
Sprockets, Toronto International Film Festival for Children, is looking for
young people between grades 3-12 to submit their short films and videos. For
more information and to obtain a submission form please visit the Official website
at http://www.bell.ca/sprockets
Youth Internship in Harlem
Reel Youth is looking for an intern for its Audio Production Workshop. The workshop
meets on Thursdays and Fridays 6PM to 9PM at a Childrens Aid Society Community
Center in Harlem. At the end of the program (May) students will have completed
individual and group projects, creating a CD of musical tracks including Hip
Hop and R&B songs. Stipend may be available. To apply please call 917-584-5552.
Video Library Internship for GAP
The Video Library Internship (unpaid) with Global Action Project is a great
opportunity for those interested in media production, youth development, arts
administration or community advocacy. The Video Library Intern plays a key role
in G.A.P.'s growth by helping to screen a wide range of media resources, including
videos, CD's, DVD's, and magazines and then creating a written database for
the resources. Send inquiries and resume to Christine Peng via e-mail ([email protected])
or fax (212-594-9574).
KIDS FIRST!® Film Festival Submissions
Submit your title for KIDS FIRST!® endorsement and for the KIDS FIRST!®
Film Festival Fall 04 Festival Early Deadline - March 15 Fall 04 Festival Late
Deadline - May 10 http://www.kidsfirst.org
FAMILY AND PARENTING NEWS
*****************************************************
News from Children Now (http://www.childrennow.org)
The President's FY 2005 Budget Proposal
The White House sent Congress an FY2005 budget of more than $2.3 trillion that
limits discretionary spending outside of defense and homeland security while
calling on Congress to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent. The budget
projects a $521 billion deficit for the current fiscal year (FY2004), with a
declining deficit after this year. None of the new projections take into account
future expenditures in Iraq and Afghanistan. http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/budget/index.html
The Budget at a Glance
The Bush administration proposes to keep child-care spending flat at $4.8 billion
annually, but wants to double -- to $273 million -- the budget for abstinence-only
sexual education programs for teens. The Seattle Times gives an overview of
the winners and losers in each of the funding categories. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001849540_glance03.html
Children's Defense Fund Claims
Budget Plan Takes from Poor Children to Give to Rich
The Children's Defense Fund calls the Bush Administration's budget proposal
a "reckless" plan to expand tax cuts for the rich at the expense of
the most vulnerable Americans -- including the more than 12 million children
living below the poverty line.http://www.childrensdefense.org/release040206.php
Education Funding
Noting that annual federal funding for K-12 education has increased more than
40 percent since President Bush took office, the administration says it has
done its part to help states, reports Education Week. Spending on Title I --
the biggest program under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law and one that targets
disadvantaged schools -- rose from $7.9 billion in FY2000 to $12.3 billion in
FY2004. http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=21nclbcost.h23
NEA Chart on NCLB Services Denied to Children
The National Education Association (NEA) says federal education funding reaches
fewer than half the students eligible for help and falls well below the amounts
set in the No Child Left Behind Act. Here's a state-by-state chart of the discrepancies.
http://www.nea.org/lac/omnibustitle.html
In this February 3, 2004 article, the New York Times reports that aside from
homeland security, President Bush's 2005 budget offers its biggest domestic
spending increase to the Education Department, charged with implementing the
No Child Left Behind law. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/03/politics/03DOME.html
Evaluation Research: A Ten-Year Review
The Harvard Evaluation Exchange reflects on good and bad trends in the evaluation
field over the past decade, including the "best of the worst" evaluator
practices, changes in university-based evaluation training, and the development
of evaluation as a discipline. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue24
Effective Reading Programs for English Language Learners:
Bilingual Works Best
One in five children in U.S. schools comes from a home where English is not
the primary language spoken. While many of these kids succeed in reading, too
many fall behind. A review of the research finds children in programs that teach
reading in their native language and in English at different times in the day
do better than those in English-only programs or programs that use only their
native languages to teach reading. English language learners have also been
found to benefit from instruction in comprehensive reform programs using systematic
phonics, one-to-one or small group tutoring programs, cooperative learning programs,
and programs emphasizing extensive reading. http://www.csos.jhu.edu/crespar/techReports/Report66.pdf
Valentine's Day Without the Calories
The American Academy of Pediatrics is offering parents 14 healthy, non-caloric
ways parents can show love for their child -- from using positive words or making
a date to spend time together to preventing violence by setting good examples.http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/febvaltips.htm
Sugarplum Society
Valentine's Day is the time of year when adults and children alike encounter
a lot of high-calorie temptation. Connect for Kids' Robert Capriccioso explores
the concerns of health experts and parents in the battle against childhood obesity.http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_show.htm?doc_id=201815
A Closer Look at the Head Start Reporting System
At a cost of $16 million a year, Head Start programs are now using a federally
created standardized achievement test to assess the language, literacy, and
math knowledge of all 4-year-old enrollees. Child development experts question
whether this narrow test is a reliable indicator of the impact of a holistic
program like Head Start, and whether it's valid and developmentally appropriate
for assessing individual children. http://www.naeyc.org/resources/journal/2004/btj01/meisels.asp
New Members Training
Children's PressLine will be hosting a training session for kids, 8 to13, who
are interested in becoming reporters and want a shot at covering the Democratic
and Republican Conventions this summer in Boston and New York. The New Reporters
Training will be held on Sat. March 6 from 12-4pm. Teens, 14-18, who are interested
in learning how to become CPLeditors will be trained on Sun. March 7, 12-pm.
New Editors should be interested in social issues, have the desire to be leaders
and mentors, and want to be at the political conventions this summer. [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> or call 212-760-2772 for more information. RSVP
before March 4.
EVENTS
****************************************************
February 27 - 29, NYC Grassroots Media Conference at the New School University.
Celebrate New York City’s vibrant indy media scene. Attendees 21 and under
qualify for the youth discount price of $8. This includes admission to all workshops
and events on Saturday and Sunday, and a free lunch with other young participants
on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit: http://www.nycgrassrootsmedia.org
or contact Stephanie Elizondo Griest at [email protected] or 212-807-6222 x 17.
March 24 - 26, Urban Visionaries Youth Film Festival. For more info call: G.A.P.
(212) 594-9577 or e-mail: [email protected]
April 3, Raw Arts Youth Media Conference, Columbia College, Chicago IL. Conference
and Showcase for Teens in the Media Arts. FREE! For more info, visit http://www.colum.edu/rawvoices/.
The KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival 2003/04
February 14:- April 7: Denver Film Festival, Denver, CO
February 14: New City Cinema 6, New City NY
February 14: Mt. Kisco Cinemas, Mount Kisco NY
February 14: Mamaroneck Playhouse, Mamaroneck NY
February 14-15: Belcourt Theater, Nashville, TN
February 21-28: Madstone Theater, Albuquerque, NM
February 21: Bergenfield Cinema 5, Bergenfield NJ February 21: Wayne Preakness
Cinemas, Wayne NJ
February 21: Warner Quad, Ridgewood NJ
February 28: Parsippany Cinema 12, Parsippany NJ
February 28: Kinnelon 11, Kinnelon NJ
March 19-28: Gertrude Salzer Gordon
Children's Museum of La Crosse
Resources
*****************************************************
KIDS FIRST!® Book
Our book, A Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs,
featuring reviews of more than 1800 KIDS FIRST!® endorsed videos, DVDs,
TV shows, and CD-ROMs is available now. To order your copy, call our office,
505-989-8076 or send your request, to kfnews@http://www.kidsfirst.org
********************************************************************
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member of KIDS FIRST!® Members help underwrite the various projects of this
organization and are a critical component of our success. The Coalition for
Quality Children's Media's relies on the generous support of its members and
donors to support its programs. An individual/family membership is only $25/year.
An organizational membership is $100/year. An independent producer membership
is $200; Corporate membership $1,000-$10,000/year. For more information, visit
our website (http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org/kidsfirst/head00.htm or contact
our office for an application form, 505.989.8076.
*** MEMBER NEWS ****
Please note the new Coalition for Quality Children's Media members below and
support their work by visiting their sites.
VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES ******************
http://587themovie.com/587themovie/587_stuff/587_video/587_video.htm
http://www.advancedbrain.com
http://www.adventuresinoz.com
http://www.allbymyself.com
http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com
http://www.babybrother.com
http://www.babywondersmedia.com
http://www.a-imagination.com
http://www.activeparenting.com
http://www.BabyAboutTown.com
http://www.babyeinstein.com
http://www.babygenius.com
http://www.babygourmet.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
http://www.babyprodigy.com
http://www.babysongs.comhttp://www.brainybaby.com
http://www.childrensgroup.com
http://www.coachcoz.com
http://www.devine-ent.com
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/
http://www.eatyourlunch.com
http://www.edact.com
http://www.familiesoftheworld.com
http://www.fancymonkey.com
http://www.finemediagroup.com
http://www.filmmarketonline.com
http://www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp?AFID=2002072002"
http://www.ftfun.com
http://www.goldenzah.com
http://www.hamtaro.com
http://www.hunktabunkta.com
http://www.iluminadaproductions.com
http://www.judypancoastkidpop.com
http://www.kidskills.com
http://www.kathybyers.com
http://www.kidskills.com
http://www.kirikou.net
http://www.lafete.com
http://www.learningbyosmosis.com
http://www.LetsTalkPuppyDog.com
http://www.Littlehardhats.com
http://www.littlemammoth.com
http://www.magicfrank.com
http://www.magicofmartialarts.com
http://www.makebabylaugh.com
http://www.master-comm.com
http://www.mybabyandme.com
http://www.mybestenglish.net
http://www.nafce.org
http://www.nestfamily.com
http://www.newvideo.com
http://www.northbayentertainment.com
http://www.pixiesage.com
http://www.pocketsnails.com
http://www.powertocreate.com
http://www.production-associates.com
http://www.rainbowplace.com
http://www.seafunforkids.com
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.shanabanana.com
http://www.sosmart.com
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/web/pl1.html
http://www.sqedunk.com
http://www.strangerinthewoods.com
http://www.stinkyshoe.com
http://www.tcfhe.com
http://www.twotomatoes.com
http://www.underthestarsandstripes.com
http://www.underthewaves.tv
http://www.vidmedia.com
http://www.vickilew.com
http://www.view.com/
http://www.vtmproductionsinc.com
http://www.wamtv.com
http://www.warner.comhttp://www.waywayentertainment.com
http://www.winkandblink.com
http://www.zula.com
********* IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ****************
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Copyright 2002 by Coalition for Quality Children's Media,
http://www.kidsfirst.org
**************ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!® ***************
KIDS FIRST!® is the not-for-profit Coalition for Quality Children's Media's
initiative that evaluates and rates children's media -videotapes, CD-ROMs, and
television - using a highly acclaimed method that has been praised by parents
and educators alike. It utilizes professionally designed criteria and evaluation
tools and engages a volunteer jury comprising child development professionals,
teachers and parents nationwide and children of diverse geographic, socioeconomic
and ethnic backgrounds. KIDS FIRST!® endorsed titles appeal to people around
the world and include many programs on topics important to children's development.
KIDS FIRST!® - endorsed titles are available on CQCM's award-winning Internet
site, in The Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs
and in reviews it provides to more than 75 publications.
CQCM evaluates feature films, television programs, videos, CD-ROM, DVDs, and
audio recordings. For an application form and application deadlines,
visit our website (http://www.kidsfirst.org), call our office (505.989.8076)
Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, 112 W. San Francisco
St., Suite 305A, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
KIDS FIRST! is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media
112 West San Francisco Street, Suite 305A
Santa Fe, NM 87501
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