TRUCE talk: comments from our readers/
​viewers 

TRUCE is thrilled to receive many positive comments, thoughts, and ideas from people not only around the country, but around the world!  These comments show that there are many of us with similar concerns about young children today which unite us.  See a sample below.  Note that we are not using names, just affiliations and locations:
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• Would like to know and find alternative ways to engage children in educational play other than purchasing plastic toy and digital form of entertainment. – Preschool Administrator, Monrovia, Liberia

 

• With the schools pushing iPads into our kids’ hands, as a teacher and parent I have concerns of what this is doing to our cognitive development, creativity etc...  And when I push back, I want to have information and data to back me up. Thank you – First grade teacher, Lombard, IL

 

• Happy to fight the electronic culture that is robbing our children’s childhood.  – Teacher, Shelbyville, KY

• Am keen to find healthy ways to expose our child to media and manage his exposure at other people's houses. – Parent of a three-year-old, Nelson, New Zealand

 

• I am finding that screens and media time is pervasive across all daily routines in a family's life. I am also seeing that children have less and less opportunity for uninterrupted play. I am seeing a dependence on the screens. I am seeing an increase in the amount of children needing speech therapy. I am concerned about all of this. - Early Intervention coordinator and Speech Pathologist, Oak Park, MI

• As a parent and educator, I am always on the hunt for reliable resources in working with children.  I was recommend to TRUCE by an instructor at the university I attend. - Teacher and Administrator, Oklahoma City, OK

 

• I like that I can have a website to turn to for articles to hand out to my parents. – Teacher, Orange, CA

 

• I love your resources and handouts and like to share them with our Early Intervention Providers throughout the state of MA. Thank you! - Early Intervention Specialist, Natick, MA

 

• Hi, I'm an advocate of teaching parents the importance of being involved and monitoring their children's actions online. what they play and who they're in contact with via ipad/ iphones/computer etc can be damaging and dangerous. – Teacher, Sydney, Australia

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• As an Early Intervention Specialist our program uses a coaching interaction style whereby parents and caregivers become their child's best teacher and advocate. Strategies are developed from parent priorities. Capacity building is crucial and the materials from TRUCE are outstanding resources that can be offered after a family determines what routines in their day they need help with.  – Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, Columbus, OH

   

• My job takes me into the homes and facilities where child care is provided. I work directly with those providers to help support the children in their care. These resources and the other information I can expect will be a benefit to both the providers and the families they work with. – Trainer of Child Care Providers, The Dalles, OR

 

• Teaching parents to play with their children and reduce screen time especially traumatizing screen time. – Social Worker, Maumee, OH

 

• I am studying to become a licensed mental health counselor after working with young children with disabilities under early intervention for 23 years. I love that I can turn to TRUCE to get support in promoting play and interaction with the human world that helps us to grow socially and emotionally healthy little people. - Graduate Student, Teacher, and Parent, Natick, MA

 

• I am interested in promoting "Family Engagement" as Head Start has a family involvement component. Parents are always in need of resources. Suggestion...Please strongly consider having your resource materials translated into Spanish! It would be most helpful.
  Thank You. – Head Start teacher, Washington, DC

 

• I came across your website through the Baby Talk publication. Part of my job is to ensure that the childcare centers I work with provide children with developmentally appropriate practices. I want to be a part of keeping play alive. – School Administrator, Bethel Park, PA

   

• I love that this grassroots movement exists! Excited to hear and learn more! :) – Teacher, Fargo, ND

 

• In the State of Washington, the government is taking over childcare and running providers out of business. They are currently re-writing licensing rules and want to eliminate play while children are in care. I'm a HUGE believer is PLAY and I love your message. I am always looking for material to educate parents, other providers and even my legislators before I am pushed out of business because I will not do what I fell is unhealthy for the children in my care that the State thinks needs to be done. I am fighting and I will continue to fight! – Child Care Provider, Spokane Valley, WA

 

• Parents are always asking what toys to get for their toddlers. Early Intervention has gotten away from bringing toy bags and is trying to encourage using what families already have creatively. Always love new ideas and good handouts for parents! – Early Intervention Provider, Hanover, MA

 

• I am a retired Early Childhood Teacher with a current interest in the wellbeing of all children and I applaud your organisation and what it stands for. - Retired Teacher and Grandparent, Thirroul, Australia

 

• I agree completely with your mission and values. – Preschool Teacher, Breckinridge, CO

 

• As I was reading through the website, I really agreed with the idea that there should be more non-screens play. When I sit down and try and think of activities to do with the kids that are fun and meaningful, or that they might be interested in, sometimes i struggle, but looking at the seasonal family play plans, really inspired me to do them, not just with the children at the daycare but at home with my four year old. she would really enjoy doing them all and I am very excited to start them. Children need more play where they play with each other and not a tablet or by themselves. They promote and encourage social-emotional development. – Child Care Provider and Parent of four-year-old, Randolph, MA