Beth provides invaluable input on the media effects on children today
Question: What are the media effects of children's videos and music on children today?
Answer: Children are absolutely bombarded with media today. My two sons are now teenagers, and I know it was a struggle to moderate their media intake. It's important for parents to stay involved in the process - and sometimes to just turn off the TV/video game/CD player and get outside and play!
Question: As you very rightly pointed out, kids nowadays are spending more and more time in front of the television or playing video games. The effect of media on children today can be harmful. Do you have any advice to parents regarding quality of content their kids watch/listen to today?
Answer: Look at alternative sources for information that will help you guide your purchases. Your kids may demand that you get the latest TV or movie property, but try to balance it with unusual and educational material that you find in places like library review publications, awards organizations like Parents' Choice or the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio(etc), parenting magazines and your local specialty toy retailer. Teachers can also be an excellent source of information about the classic children's music and videos that continue to enrich children today.
Question: If a parent was interested in picking out the best videos and music for his/her child, what would you advise them to go in for?
Answer: DVDs/videos:
-Anything from Scholastic / which now distributes the wonderful story adaptations produced by Weston Woods Studios -PBS-TV productions like "Arthur"- Nick Jr TV Shows like Dora -A&E Home Video productions - Wind in the Willows is a classic -The Big Kids Video catalog has some great selections for kids: www.bigkidsvideo.com
Music:
Music such as "Beethoven's Wig" from Rounder Records (www.rounder.com), Putumayo World Music (www.putumayo.com), Smithsonian Folkways (www.folkways.si.edu), Magic Maestro Music (www.magicmaestromusic.com),independent artists like Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Daddy a Go Go, Katherine Dines, David Grover, Jessica Harper, Billy Jonas, Hap Palmer, Justin Roberts, Ben Rudnick, Trout Fishing in America and other artists featured on the Children's Music Web (www.childrensmusic.org)or at BestChildrensMusic.com, or KidzMusic.com.
Question: What difficulties do you face in your job as a children's media publicist?
Answer: Paucity of outlets interested in children's music and videos. It can be like trying to promote the poor stepchild. These media don't get a lot of attention - or retail shelf space. It's frustrating to see schlocky stuff get a lot of press, when I know how many good things are out there for children.
Question: What does the future hold for you - any exciting plans, developments?
Answer: I'll be interested to see how children's musicians and labels adapt to the new world of file-sharing. Some of the savvier ones are now offering their song downloads right from their own home-pages, and are uploading songs to I-Tunes. It should be interesting to see how this all plays out. Artists and labels must add value to their CD packaging or digital enhancements so that it makes it worth the $10-15 to buy a CD. The need for added value on CDs will become increasingly important very soon.
As for children's videos, there is a renaissance in the marketplace because of the DVD format. The video industry is abuzz with news about how the children's category is one of the blockbusters these days, outselling most other DVD genres.
For my business personally, I want to improve my own tech-savvy, employing e-outreach and other technologies to make my efforts more effective.
DM: Beth, it was great being able to speak with you and to learn so much about you and your work as a publicist for children's media. I'm sure that all our readers appreciated your inputs on the media effects on children today, and your advice on choosing the best media for children. I wish you all the best for the future.