Arizona State University - Sun Devil Spark / Sahuaro Yearbook (Tempe, AZ)

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procedures to be used in the home. The Toy Talk environment is intended to free the parent and child from any identifica- tion with a cultural or eco- nomic background. The parent and child will face a setting that is completely unfamiliar for both and yet is conducive for play and fantasy. The room is a playground for education without adult inter- ference with fantasy. We are trying to take away the domi- nance role of the adult, said Caryl Steere, assistant pro- fessor of elementary educa- tion. The imagination of the child basis on which the pro- works. The adult is is the gram trained to encourage the child's use of imagination while directing him toward meaningful play. The Toy Talk curriculum was developed to serve three pri- mary purposes: to improve parent-child communication, to teach values and to increase language facility. The parent learns to direct his child in cre- ative play by teaching him the meaning of words while they play. The parent is provided a cur- riculum which gives instruction on how to present opportuni- ties for play. A plot is suggested to help the adult begin. For example, the child is asked to imagine that people are lost in the room. He then is given free rein to select a course of action. Toys available for the exercise may be helicopters, trucks, or boats. A vocabulary list provides the parent with words such as safe, rescue and danger- ous which the child hears and uses. When possible the parent indicates the meanings of words by facial expressions. The child is given a pre-test to determine what words he does know and at the end of the exercise he is given a post- test to determine what he has learned. The most difficult aspect is the inability of the adult to play with the child. Children are not used to parental inter- action in play and fantasy. The adult must work to create a bridge between himself and his offspring. It is hoped that the parent will expand this training in the home, not only with toys but also TV. The child can view a program and then be quizzed to determine what new words he has learned. In this manner he is encouraged to express his views and ideas. The parent is warned to re- frain from trying to dominate. Dr. Strom feels that the present generation gap is a product of parent domination. The parent should encourage ex- pression of ideas even if they disagree with his own personal views. The Toy Talk project has been supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation and has a Carte Blanc for toys from the Toy Manufacturers of America. The project is a long way from being complete and is subject to change as it gains in experience. We still want to implement and grow. To make it as childlike as pos- sible, said Steere. The Toy Talk facility was designed and constructed by i2 feye squaredl, a develop- ment firm as unique as the class room itself. The organization is comprised of teachers, stu- dents, graduates and anyone seeking to provide community service and the opportunity to further their own experi- ence. i2 is a non-profit organiza- tion comprised of different people from different disci- plines, said Richard Britz, research coordinator. Britz defines disciplines as fields of inquiry. The membership is comprised of many different specialists. The more numer- ous are the architects but spe- cialists in economics, mathe- matics and computers con- tribute. Children are not used to parental interaction in play and fantasy. Toy Talk-23

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The non-ego i who multiplies himself by himself. 24-Toy Talk The meaning of i2 is the non-ego i who multiplies him- self by himself, said Britz. This metaphysical definition equates to the development and expansion of the individu- al's experience through ex- perience. i2 was organized about 18 months ago to help some graduates fulfill their three year apprenticeship required to obtain their architecture license. i2 provides practical experience instead of the three years of drafting that the ap- prentice usually undergoes. Britz said, i2 is neither a business nor a partnership but a consentive. The members consent to share their know- ledge. According to Britz the consentive is a brain trust for research, design and con- struction. There is no hierarchy of income, only of experience. Members receive pay in ac- cordance with their needs. The purposes of i2 are as varied as its membership. The only common direction is diversity, said Britz. Their projects have traveled the spectrum of experience. They have worked on the Sacred Heart School playground, a community service project, done research for the lane Wayland Child Development Center, the Deer Valley Mall Co., and the Arizona State Senate Sub-Committee on Land Use. In addition, they produced a color exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum. i2 is idealistic but it is work- ing, said Britz. Whatever it is, it is a diverse and complicated group working to improve a diverse and complicated so- ciety. yr A