Are Your Children Captured by Ninja Turtles? Feb 1991

[IndigoErth]

https://archive.org/stream/ERIC_ED33...ge/n1/mode/2up

How to turn what children love into what is appropriate

This booklet will explain ways to communicate with children about such phenomena as Ninja Turtles. The same techniques may be used to help teachers or parents deal with any fad or idea that appears to consume children. Participants will learn how to move children to related but completely separate play (curriculum) activities.

...

Thirdly, turtles are causing young children to become even more consumer oriented than ever at a young age. As one four-year-old expressed: "Buy me more, more, more of the same old turtles -- they keep breaking and I want more." Finally, Ninja Turtles (even though they claim to be useful beings) demonstrate a way of being and language that teachers are trying to keep children from using. Words such as "mugged," "weapons," "kidnapped," "fight," "battle," "brawl," "snatchers," "killer," "cowabunga," "shredder," "invasion," and others are used as Ninja Turtles communicate. (It is true that words such as strength, knowledge, and peace are also used but since children naturally want "to feel feel big, proud, and important" [Hymes: 1981]; they seem to focus on the previous negative words that imply greater power.)

There are other important elements that will also be covered in the booklet. An overall summery of objectives follows. The reader will gain an understanding of the: (1) history of Ninja Turtles; (2) identification of turtles and their strengths (to help teachers communicate better with children); (3) problems connected with the turtles as the problems relate to preschool children; (4) ways to help children move beyond Ninja Turtle activities; (5) specific examples of activities to substitute for Ninja Turtle activities; and (6) specific ways to speak to children about Ninja Turtles. It is hoped that the booklet will be entertaining and challenging as teachers work to improve personal classroom environments

...

There are many verbal statements teachers may use when interacting with children that help change their way of thinking or, redirect the children's behavior. Some examples of those statements include:
1. "Ninja Turtles are pretend. See how real turtles walk using four legs. Real turtles do not wear clothes.
2. It is fun to pretend but right now the pet turtle needs feeding. Help me get grapes from the refrigerator.
3. You may paint like Michelangelo; however you are Justin.
4. Pound the clay, not Billy.
5. His name is Tommy (when the child calls another "barfoni")."
...

Just a few bits and pieces, see link for rest. (Pardon any typos, retyped by hand.)

Some of that... The poor poor older generations trying to raise and teach kids of those times, such a difficult struggle with Turtlemania. Apparently.