It would be difficult to exaggerate the reshaping of childhood that has taken place over the last 25 years. Those who do not have young children in their lives may find it hard to believe that the changes are more than the usual generational divide. Time magazine shrugs off the concerns of parents and educators about the remaking of Dora the Explorer (shorter skirt, longer legs, longer hair) as the predictable reaction of overprotective parents.
However, parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children know that something powerful is going on. They are confronted by a profound transformation in the way children play. Parents see a dizzying array of toys and clothing that attempt to make their children “older younger.” They share stories of shopping for underwear for a little girl who is only just potty trained and finding a thong as one of their choices.
Marketers have increased their exploitation of boys' natural fascination with war play to sell violent toys and games. Some third graders beg for a cell phone because “everyone is texting.” The stuffed animal gift from a relative has a link to online play.
While this seems benign on the surface, the question remains: what happens when a young child habitually plays online for long periods? What kind of developmentally appropriate play does that replace? There are concerns about children spending their lives disconnected from nature. Underfunded early childhood programs have advertising in their classrooms and on their books. Book fairs are no longer principally about books.