The Federal Trade Commission released its “secret shopper” survey of the nation’s retailers last week. Many of the top national retailers have followed through and are working to keep M rated video games out of the hands of kids. Parents should be relieved that many retailers will back them up and keep their kids from buying games like Grand Theft Auto.

Don’t forget however that many of these M-rated games are hugely popular with teens and pre-teens. Parents need to be game-savvy and check the ratings before they buy a game. Every video game displays a rating on the box, along with content descriptors. Take a moment, check the rating. If it says M, you’re holding a game that has been rated for people ages 17 and above. The content will contain graphic violence, sex, very crude language, and possibly drug and alcohol usage. These are not games for kids. So be MediaWise® - check out the ratings. Say “no” when you should. Post a comment - what’s your parenting strategy for video games?

We just released our new Brain Power video as a public service resource on You Tube.  Click here to view it and pass it along to any friends and colleagues you feel might be interested in seeing it.

As a component of our MediaWise Education program, through u, Brain Power has wowed audiences in our trainings from coast to coast.  From neurons to brain wiring, the video gives an easy-to-understand tour of children's and teens' brain development and the impact of experience on the "wiring' of their brains. Children are shaped by the stories they see and hear from parents, relatives, and teachers which pass on values, attitudes, and affect emotional and physical well-being. More than ever, media has become a powerful storyteller in children's lives. Raising healthy kids in the media age includes making wise media choices.  Send us your comments about Brain Power.

David Walsh

When I visualize a parent or caregiver interacting and talking to a baby, I see that baby’s brain light up, neurons popping and wiring all over the language center.  When I visualize that same baby watching TV, I see the same language center monotone, quiet, no connections being made.  Why?  Characters on TV are speaking words, singing, telling stories.  Why is a baby’s language center quiet?  Because babies need real world language interaction - real words from real people.

TV can interfere with babies learning and the sounds he or she needs to know to form those first words and then those first sentences.   A recent study in the May issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found limited verbal interactions between parents and six month olds in front of TVs.  Is this a problem if it’s 5 minutes?  No.  Is it a problem if it’s a half hour or an hour or two hours a day?  Probably yes.  Babies’ brains grow at such a rapid rate during infancy that their language development needs a rich language environment to equip them with the sounds they need to form the wealth of words they need to be successful in speaking, reading and writing.  It all starts in infancy with the sounds they hear from those who love and care for them.  When are your favorite times to talk with your baby?

David Walsh

Last week was a busy week for us at the Institute with the release of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV (rated M – mature).  While there is much about the graphics and the way the game plays that gamers enjoy, we urge parents to give this game a resounding “no” for their kids.  It is rated M with graphic violence and sexual content, intense language, partial nudity, blood, and use of alcohol and drugs.  Major retailers will not sell this game to anyone under 17 years of age and they are asking for IDs to prove it.  Unfortunately this game is hugely popular with teens and even pre-teens.  Now is the time to talk to your kids, let them know what you don’t like about this content.  It’s out there, they’ll see it, they might play it – help them to start thinking critically about the content and what they are putting into their brains.  Kids will say that they know the game is fantasy and that they know the difference between reality and fantasy, but that’s their thinking brains speaking.  Their emotional brains do not know the difference and wiring with graphic sex and violence has an impact.

Note - Someone alerted me to a great deal on Amazon.com.  Limited quantities of the hardcover version of No are available for $6.99 at http://www.amazon.com/NO-Kids-Ages-Need-Hear-Parents/dp/B000WPMMO0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210000819&sr=8-1

David Walsh

Brains – they are such fascinating orbs that sit right on top of our heads.  What would we do without them?  Much of my work has involved explaining how our brains develop and how they wire the trillions of connections that shape what we think, feel and do.  Neuroscience made so many recent fascinating discoveries that I wrote Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen.  My talks on self-discipline and No also rest on how children’s brains develop. 

Well it turns out that brains are not only fascinating to us adults, but kids, too.  Two kids, Bo Erik and Shennendoah, found that they love learning about brains and are taking their interest to a whole new level.  With the help of some adults, the Neuro Kids built a website (http://www.neurokids.org) dedicated to teaching kids about brains – even animal brains.  Filled with fun facts, games, book reviews, blogs and more (even an interview with me), Neuro Kids is a great place for kids to learn about that orb that sits right on top of their heads.   I certainly enjoyed talking to them.   Do you have a story about how Why Do They Act That Way influenced how you parent?  Send your comments in.

David Walsh

By now most of you know that Alissa Peichel has been the sparkplug behind the success of Minnesota Say Yes to No. Alissa was so captured by the importance of the Say Yes to No message that last May she signed on as the coordinator of the groundbreaking campaign. Today, one year later, at least five hundred Say Yes to No conversations have taken place with more being scheduled every day. Leaders in Michigan and Allen County, Indiana are busy getting ready to bring Say Yes to No to their states in the next school year.

Alissa’s talent and commitment transformed an idea into a movement that has drawn interest from around the world. More importantly, it has sparked conversations and decisions among parents and educators that will position our children and youth for success. A measure of the importance of Alissa’s work came from an elementary school teacher last month: “This could be the thing that not only saves our kids, but saves our society.”

Alissa has decided it is time for her to move on to her next adventure. She is leaving Say Yes to No at the end of this week and preparing to go on to graduate school. Please join me in thanking Alissa for laying the foundation that we can build on. Just click on the comment button and wish Alissa good luck in her future endeavors.

Dave Walsh

A very special email awaited me this morning.  Our coordinator, whom many of you know, Alissa Rath accompanied a group of students from St. Cloud University to China last January.  One of those students, Silu Ma, was so impressed with our Say Yes to No message that he is translating some of our Say Yes to No materials into Chinese as a gift. 

It’s a book.  It’s a conversation.  It’s success for our kids.

We hope to continue the language translations.  Parents in many cultures and countries are looking for the message and conversations of No.  What started as an initial spark in Minnesota is quickly spreading around the country.

Another interesting study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project popped up today also.  It seems that a lot of our kids are using their texting, and IMing shorthand style of writing in their classroom assignments and writing reports.  Little happy faces are popping up all over.  What do you think?  Should kids be allowed to be ‘creative’ and use this new language in their school assignments or should teachers and professors expect standard English?  Send us your comments.

David Walsh

People energized by their Say Yes to No conversations and book reads want to spread the word. We are excited to announce a new feature on our Say Yes to No website. You can now add your event easily by clicking on the ADD YOUR EVENT button on the Events page http://www.sayyestono.org/events.html from the top tool bar.

We want to hear about your Say Yes to No event!  Send us the details by clicking on our new ADD YOUR EVENT button and we will post it on our Say Yes to No Events page. Parents and community members are hearing about Say Yes to No and want to know where they can plug in. You can help.

Here’s what one administrator said about their event: “Parents tell me that they wish they would have read this book years ago.”

The public is welcome to the Say Yes to No speaking event next Monday, April 28, 7-8:30pm at the Mraz Center at Burnsville High School. Child care will be provided.