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Did you ever try to talk to your kids about something happening
on the screen while they were watching a movie or TV show only to get a scowl in return?
Their eyes were telling you not to interrupt their entertainment. There’s a myth, especially
regarding kids, that learning from media or talking about it saps all the fun out of the
experience. Not necessarily so. For people who care for and teach children— parents,
grandparents, teachers, parish ministers—media provides a wonderful opportunity to
enter into conversation with the children in your care through the very means they
use for entertainment.
A child’s natural curiosity and asking “why?” feeds right into media literacy
education. Just like our high school literature classes, where we delved into a
book, poem, or play, analyzing it and discovering its meaning, media literacy
brings this method of inquiry to the information and entertainment media we use
every day.
Called media mindfulness in faith communities, this 21st century approach asks
questions of the media children and grown-ups experience to gain insight into
living our Christians lives to their fullest. Questions such as: “What would you
have done in her place?” or “How would you feel if that happened to you?” or “What
will you do next time you’re in that situation?” can be powerful ways of connecting
faith with the culture that surrounds us.
This site introduces you to information, strategies, and skills to discern the
media through the lens of faith and values. It will also offer ideas for teaching
and forming children to be wise media consumers.
Follow the links for a variety of articles, activities, and other websites
that will lead you and your family or class into the adventure that is media
mindfulness.
Blessings,
Sister Hosea
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Sr. Rupprecht holds a Masters of Theological Studies from the University of
St. Michael’s College in Toronto and a Certificate in Pastoral Communications from the
University of Dayton. Hosea is currently an associate at the Pauline Center for Media
Studies in Culver City, CA. Over the past 10 years, she has facilitated various film
dialogues for both children and adults, as well as given presentations on integrating faith and media.
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