Parents concerned about the toys their children might play with listened March 24 as expert Honey Schnapp detailed some alarming trends.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Parents concerned about the toys their children might play with listened March 24 as expert Honey Schnapp detailed some alarming trends.

“One toy I bring to the workshop is a dress-up kit marketed to girls 4 years and up, that has shiny shoes, purse and an ID card. The photo has a girl looking like a college student getting ready to go out to the club. Also, many of the toys from action movies rated PG-13 and more are marketed to children 4 years old. This is a result of the deregulation of the industry,” said Schnapp.

Somerville Family Community Connections (SFCC) organized the workshop. Schnapp was director for Somerville’s Open Center for Children for 12 years. Schnapp has worked for Connections for 13 years as a trainer and event coordinator. SFCC is funded primarily through grants from the Massachusetts department of early education and care.

During the workshop, Schnapp asked parents and participants to offer up virtues that they would like their children to possess. Scnapp said, “You’re not going to get a respectful child unless their treated with respect. A compassionate child is one that has been shown compassion”

Schnapp said current wars are affecting the toys children’s play with. It’s not to say that militaristic behavior will be taught to children, however they’re still aware that conflict, armed conflict, is going on in the world, she said.