I. INTRODUCTION

The objective in developing the education program "TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" was to send an important message to educators and young people alike to think about, react in support of, and to help create a safe world. The purpose of the lessons is to foster activism and a greater awareness in children by teaching them to be educated consumers. This curriculum stresses the use of critical thinking and participation skills and is directed toward "young consumers" and their "real world", with the expectation that this knowledge will transcend to many other areas and prepare them for the "real world" of adulthood.

Toys are a very real part of a child’s universe. Yet most children (end even many adults) are unaware of and uneducated regarding the world of dangerous toys. Children spend much of their play time with these items, but do not know that toys can cause them harm. They don’t realize how many children are injured and killed by toys, and that some of these victims could have been saved if they, or their parents, had been aware of the hazards in certain toys. Most children have no awareness at all of the poor standards that exist for pre-market safety testing of toys, in contrast to the rigid rules that exist for food and drugs. They have no idea that our government agencies function with inadequate laws and standards; or that toy advertising, labeling and packaging can promote false and misleading information; or that some toys promote gender bias and violence.

The goal of "TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" is to teach children many important concepts using the child’s familiarity with and affection for toys to demonstrate and explain each theory. While the specific subject matter of this curriculum is derived primarily from public safety issues and consumer economics, the individual lessons are formulated to develop and facilitate cooperative learning skills in young children. Through verbal and interactive participation, both as individuals, and as part of a group, the students will be researching, collecting, analyzing and graphing information. They will be reading, writing, solving problems, brainstorming, making decisions and defining values.  Back to top

II. CURRICULUM

Using toys as instructional tools, the twelve lessons in "TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" will teach a child about: toy safety; how to make and use a Toy Inspection Checklist for detecting dangers; how to read and understand product labels, warnings, instructions; how to understand advertising and develop good buying techniques; the difference between cost and value; how toys depict and characterize gender, cultural diversity, and bias; how toys can promote violence or war; and how to use the power of the pen and letter writing to make their ideas have impact and influence. They will be learning about their rights as citizens and the function of a democracy; about the concept of "people before profits" in business; about consumer and corporate decision making; about the excitement of planning and having a Toy Fair; and how much fun it is to play "The Toy Store Game"!

Many of the given homework assignments encourage parental involvement. "TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" is specifically designed to invite parent/child interaction. The underlying concept for using this approach is that the home is the child’s primary environment. Children will gain information and knowledge from ancillary environments, such as school, and share what they have acquired with parents and siblings.  Back to top

III. TEXTS

The Teacher’s Manual has been written using uncomplicated language and examples. The objectives in each lesson are clearly defined, as are the methods for teaching them. The instructor is provided with all the materials necessary to teach the unit: charts, worksheets, case studies, overhead display transparencies, the classroom version of "The Toy Store Game", and a classroom copy of Edward M. Swartz’ book, Toys That Kill (Vintage Books, Random House 1986), which served as the foundation for this curriculum. The book is a good reference source to support the rest of the program’s literature.

The Student’s Booklet is organized and specifically designed to parallel each lesson in the Teacher’s Manual. Included are worksheets, interesting statistics, word search exercises, crossword puzzles, and the children’s version of "The Toy Store Game". The students are provided with ample space in their workbooks to complete homework assignments and store pertinent handouts or materials accumulated. The instructor will receive "Certificates of Award" that are to be given to every student that completes the program.

The developers of this unique curriculum have coded the material according to Bloom’s Taxonomy (whereby Cognitive Objectives -- information and knowledge -- are coupled with Affective Objectives — concerning attitudes, values, feelings and emotions). The concept is intended to foster creativity of thought. The children will develop their confidence and ingenuity by focusing on the development of a lot of new solutions rather than aiming to echo a single correct answer. The student will learn to sense and identify problems via open-ended situations that are presented with the intention to motivate them to generate original ideas and responses.  Back to top

IV. EDUCATION GOALS

Through the methods previously described, students will gain the knowledge to give themselves a better grasp of economics, safety, government, and world issues, contributing to fortify some important traits such as insight, honesty, sincerity, responsibility, curiosity, and cooperation. The curriculum was created for third and fourth grade elementary school students. Since 1989, the activities in "TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" have helped students acquire recognition and group participation skills while developing confidence in the fact that as individuals, they too have the power to affect change and make a difference -- a power which can only increase as a group.

"TOYS, YOU and the REAL WORLD" will turn classrooms everywhere into bastions of learning, where tomorrow’s leaders can learn about toy safety and the world around them. If educators will join forces with W.A.T.C.H., together we can unite America’s children to help save lives and make their world a safer place.