Sciencey-Type Toys
This is not an endorsement. (Honest. I try not to do that kind of thing with services I’ve just discovered ten minutes ago. Maybe someday though.) I was just indirectly directed over to an interesting site based out of Rhode Island (I think) selling “games and toys inspired by Darwin.” No, really. Check out the link at www.charliesplayhouse.com and see for yourself.
Promising are the explanations of some of their products as science approved, FAQ-type answers stating that with one item, for example, they had “indexed [it] to the National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy.” (Nice!) And even more in tune with this skepdad’s philosophy is the little science-based learning blog they’ve tied in with their site — even if it is mostly about endorsing their products.
From a skeptical perspective I’d want to have a look at any claims these toys are making. Those who read this blog regularly likely already know my stance on toys and other products that claim to carry some torch for education, particularly when they spout off about some grand “learning objectives” for items that are just, well, toys. I flush most of those concerns down the pipe, however, when there is some real attempt to merge education and fun. (Which seems to be the case here.) And I’m even less critical when the primary audience for a product seems to be teachers to use as a supplement to structured lessons.
And the t-shirts look fun, too.
I don’t know what the demand for these products might be — fairly big, I’d hope — but I suppose if there are folks out there who’d keep a business like this one — or others — afloat they’re likely reading The Skepdad Blog.
Hi Brad – Kate Miller here, I'm the founder of Charlie's Playhouse. I saw some hits on my site yesterday from SkepDad and came to take a look — I've been reading your blog here and there for a while now and love your approach to parenting. As for Charlie's Playhouse, I also welcome your skeptical take on my products and hope they'll live up to the scrutiny! I'm a mom and scientist myself, and share many of your views on education and toys. A couple of years ago when I tried to find some educational toys for my kids about evolution, I found none. Absolutely none. Irritating! So that's how Charlie's Playhouse was born, and I just launched with three products about six months ago. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and say hello! – Kate
Hi Kate! I know your grief. We've got some fairly tuned-in local toy stores around here, but the (quote-quote) "educational stuff" is still very rare. Thanks for saying hi, and let me know if is anything I can do to help get the word out. -Brad
Talk about a timely article! My wife's pregnant with our first and, obviously, I'm hoping to turn our little one into a budding skeptic and science wizz from the get-go, so the idea of educational toys has high appeal for me. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely be taking a look and reading through your post back catalog to find other tips for new skeptical parents.
I posted a link to the store on my facebook page. I don't have any kids myself but have a large extended family. Hopefully some of the parents will like these for their kids.
I know mine would have gotten them for me :)
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Skepdad was started as one man’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas about bringing up kids to be critical thinking adults in a world filled with superstition, mysticism, and pseudoscience.
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