Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. | Media Literacy | Children and War

"War Play Today and What We Can Do about It." International Montessori Magazine. Spring 2010. (Invited article adapted from Beyond Banning War and Superhero Play in Young Children, May 2003.)

“Common Core Standards: One Size Doesn't Fit All.” Boston Globe April 18, 2010. Op/Ed piece co-authored with Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Discusses how the proposed common core national education standards are harmful to kids.

“Hard Economic Times May Not Be All Bad for Kids.” Op/Ed piece co-authored with Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Includes suggestions for how adults can respond to the current economic crisis with children.

"Children of Parents Deployed in the War." In The Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology, Daniel J. Christie (Ed.). Wiley/Blackwells. In press [with J. Van Hoorn].

"Objectified Self, Objectified Relationships: The Sexualization of Childhood Promotes Social Injustice." In Promoting Social Justice for Children: Facing Critical Challenges to Early Learning and Development, Beatrice S. Fennimore & A. Lin Goodwin (Eds.), in press.

"In Harms Way. Or Are They? War, Social Justice, and Young Children in the United States." In Promoting Social Justice for Children: Facing Critical Challenges to Early Learning and Development, Beatrice S. Fennimore & A. Lin Goodwin (Eds.). In press. [with J. Van Hoorn].

"Danger, Danger Everywhere: Helping Children Feel Safe in a Culture of Fear." Exchange Magazine—in Beginnings Section on “Safety and Risk.” March/April 2010.

"Problem Solving Deficit Disorder: Creative versus Programmed Play in Korea and the United States." Child Life Focus. Winter 2010. (Originally published in: Where Do Children Play? E. Goodenough (Ed.). Detroit: Wayne U. Press, 2007.)

"From 'I Want' to 'I Can': Promoting Healthy Development in the Consumer Culture." Child Life Focus. Winter 2010. (Originally published in: Child Care Information Exchange, September/October 2004.)

"Voices from the Field: The Vital Connection between Anti-Bias Education and Peace Education." In Derman-Sparks, Anti-Bias Education: Empowering Young Children and Ourselves (2nd Ed.). 2009.

"Voices from the Field: The Sexualization of Childhood." In Derman-Sparks, Anti-Bias Education: Empowering Young Children and Ourselves (2nd Ed.). 2009.

"Good Guidance: Dealing with Today’s Sexualized Childhood." Teaching Young Children (NAEYC). October 2009.

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Or Is It? The Impact of the War on Children in the United States." Childhood Education special issue on “The impact of war, terrorism, and disaster on children's wellbeing and development (with Judy Van Hoorn). August 2009.

"The Impact of Violence and Disasters on Children and How to Help Them Heal and Thrive Afterwards." Plenary Presentation in Proceedings of the International Conference on Rebuilding Sustainable Communities for Children and their Families after Disasters. University of Massachusetts, Boston, Nov 2008. Cambridge, England: Cambridge Scholars Press. In press.

“Child’s Play as Transformative Work. A videotaped on-line interview with Diane E. Levin.” In Transformative Works and Cultures (On-Line Journal): Special Issue on Videogaming. Interview conducted by Julia Russo. Vol 2, March 2009. Videotaped Interview Published in On-Line Journal.

“Challenges of the Technological Age on Children's Development & Learning.” Closing Plenary Session. National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Institute. 2008 Institute Proceedings: DVD with Audio with PowerPoint Slide Presentations.

"Too Young to Be a Consumer: The Toll of Commercial Culture on the Rights of Childhood." Exchange Magazine—Beginnings Workshop Section on “Rights of Childhood.” May/June 2009.

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Or Is It? The Impact of the War in Iraq on American Children. Childhood Education" (2009 Special International Theme Issue: The Impact of War, Terrorism, and Disaster on Children's Wellbeing and Development). August 2009. [Co-author J. VanHoorn].

"Problem Solving Deficit Disorder." Paradigm Magazine, Winter 2009.

"Compassion Deficit Disorder: The Impact of Consuming Culture on Children’s Relationships. Attachment and Public Life", Marci Green (Editor), London, England: Karnac, 2008.

"Building Peaceable Classroom Communities: Counteracting the Impact of Violence on Young Children". Child Care Exchange Magazine (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Early Childhood Classroom Communities). September/October 2008.

"Problem Solving Deficit Disorder: The Dangers of Remote Controlled Versus Creative Play". In Where Do Children Play? Elizabeth Goodenough (Editor), Detroit, MI: Wayne University Press, 2008.

"Buy, Buy Childhood: Helping Children Resist the Lure of Today’s Media and Commercial Culture". Early Childhood: The Newsletter of the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood. Spring/Summer 2008. www.winnetkaalliance.org/pdf/SpringSummer08.pdf

"Meeting Children’s Needs in Violent Times". Early Childhood Education: An International Encyclopedia. R. New & M. Cochran (Editors), Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007.

"War Play: Balancing Children’s Needs and Adults’ Concerns". Early Childhood Education: An International Encyclopedia. R. New & M. Cochran (Editors), Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. [Co-author N. Carlsson-Paige].

"Action Research: What Is It? Why Is It Important?" Child Care Exchange Magazine. (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Action Research). July-August, 2006.

"Play with Violence: Understanding and Responding Effectively". Play from Birth to Twelve and Beyond: Contexts, Perspectives, and Meanings (2nd Ed.), D. Fromberg & D. Bergen (Editors). New York: Garland, 2006.

"So Sexy, So Soon: The Sexualization of Childhood". Childhood Lost: How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids, Childhood in America Series, S. Olfman (Editor). Westport, CT: Praeger Press, 2005. Reprinted in: The Sexualization of Childhood, Childhood in America Series, S. Olfman (Editor). Westport, CT: Praeger Press, in press.

"The ‘So Far’ Guide for Helping Children and Youth Cope with the Deployment of a Parent in the Military Reserves". The So Far Project of the Psychoanalytic Couple and Family Institute of New England, 2005. [Co-author C. Daynard]. www.pcfine.org/sofarandguard/sofar_children_pamphlet.pdf

"From “I Want It!” to “I Can Do It!” Promoting Healthy Development in the Consumer Culture". Child Care Exchange Magazine. (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Action Research). September/October, 2004. www.commercialexploitation.com/articles/

"Marketing Violence: The Special Toll on Young Children of Color". Journal of Negro Education. February, 2004. Theme issue: Commercialism in the Lives of Children of Color. [Co-author N. Carlsson-Paige]. www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3626/is_200310/ai_n9248807

"Toying with Children’s Health: How the Business of Play Harms Children". Proceedings of Third Annual Stop Commercial Exploitation of Children Summit. New York, NY, February, 2004. www.commercialexploitation.org/articles/3rdsummit/Levin.htm

"The Commercialization of Childhood: Understanding the Problem and Finding Solutions". Psychology and Consumer Culture: The Struggle for a Good Life in a Materialistic World, T. Kasser & A. Kanner, Editors. Wash., DC: American Psychological Association, 2003. [Co-author, S. Linn].

"When the World Is a Dangerous Place: Helping Young Children Deal with Violence in the News". Child Care Information Exchange, July/August, 2003. Beginnings Workshop on “Children’s Mental Health.”

"Beyond Banning War and Superhero Play: Meeting Children’s Needs in Violent Times". Young Children, May, 2003. Issue theme: Children’s Play. [Reprinted in: Spotlight on Young Children and Play, K. Koralek, Editor, Wash. DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

When the World Is a Dangerous Place: Teachers Can Play an Important Role in Helping Young Children Deal With Violence They Hear In The News? Educational Leadership, April, 2003. Theme issue: The First Years of School.

"Into the Mouths of Babes: Never Too Young to Get Hooked on Junk Food". Proceedings of SCEC Summit: Consuming Kids: Marketers' Impact on Children's Health, September, 2002.

"An Electronic Age Story: Building Global Relationships through the Internet". Young Children, July, 2002 [with Olav Østvold et al.].

"Commentary: Stop Marketing ‘Yummy Food’ to Children". The Christian Science Monitor, June 20, 2002. [Co-author S. Linn].

"Aggression in the Playroom: Facilitating Play through Teaching Conflict Resolution Skills". Play in Practice: Case Studies in Young Children’s Play, C.R. Brown & C. Marchant (Eds.). St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press, 2002.

"The Increasing Role of Electronic Toys in the Lives of Infants & Toddlers: Should We Be Concerned?" Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 2(2), Spring, 2001. [Co-author, B. Rosenquest].

"Learning about the World through Play". Scholastic Early Childhood Today, November/ December, 2000. [Cover story with B. Lobo].

"Help children see through violence in the Media" (A guide prepared by D. Levin in collaboration with Christine Gerzon and members of TRUCE). Violence Prevention Task Force, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2000. www.violenceprevention.com/publication.htm [Information on ordering this free guide in English is available on the website. The Spanish version of the guide can be downloaded from the web.]

"Children and Media Violence". Proceedings of “Children and the New Media,” a seminar organized by the Luso-American Development Foundation & European Research into Consumer Affairs, Lisbon, Portugal, October, 2000. www.net-consumers.org/erica/policy/diane.htm

"Commentary: Shielding Children—Golden Marble Awards 'Celebrate' Corporate Marketing To Our Children". Christian Science Monitor, Friday, September 22, 2000. [Co-author, S. Linn]. www.commondreams.org/views/092300-102.htm

"Rethinking Play: Changing Times, Changing Needs, Changing Responses". Our Children Magazine (The National PTA Magazine-Cover Story). November, 1999.

"Commentary: The War-Toy Connection". Christian Science Monitor, October 5, 1999. [Co-author, N. Carlsson-Paige]. www.parentingbookmark.com/pages/NCP03.htm

"Rethinking Early Childhood Practice in the New Media Culture: Changing Needs; Changing Responses". Child Care Information Exchange, July, 1999). [Reprinted in Australian Early Childhood Educators Journal)].

"Toys: Goals & Guides". Ambulatory Pediatric Care, R. Dershewitz (Ed.), Philadelphia: Lippencott-Raven, 1999.

"Changing Needs, Changing Responses: Rethinking How We Teach Children [in today’s media culture]". Child Care Information Exchange, 7/99—#46.

"Marketing Violence to Young Children though Media and Popular Culture: Testimony Presented to the US Senate Commerce Committee". Congressional Record, May 6, 1999.




		BOOKS Remote Control Childhood? (2nd Edition). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. In preparation. Levin, Diane E. & Kilbourne, Jean. So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids. New York: Ballantine Books, 2008. www.sosexysosoon.com Connolly, Paul & Hayden, Jacquelyn with Levin, Diane. From Conflict to Peace Building: The Power of Early Childhood Initiatives– Lessons from Around the World. Redmond, Washington: Exchange Press, 2007. www.childcareexchange.com Levin, Diane E. & Carlsson-Paige, Nancy. The War Play Dilemma: What Every Parent and Teacher Needs to Know (2nd Edition). New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 2006. www.teacherscollegepress.com Levin, Diane E. Teaching Young Children in Violent Times: Building A Peaceable Classroom (2nd Edition). Cambridge, MA: Educators for Social Responsibility and Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2003. www.esrnational.org or www.naeyc.org Levin, Diane E. Remote Control Childhood? Combating the Hazards of Media Culture. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998. www.naeyc.org Carlsson-Paige, Nancy & Levin, Diane E. Before Push Comes to Shove: Building Conflict Resolution Skills with Children. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press, 1998. Carlsson-Paige, Nancy & Levin, Diane E. Who's Calling the Shots? How to Respond Effectively to Children's Fascination with War Play and War Toys. Gabriola Island, BC, CAN: New Society Publishers, 1990. Carlsson-Paige, Nancy & Levin, Diane E. Helping Young Children Understand Peace, War, and the Nuclear Threat. Wash., DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1985.

		SELECTED ARTICLES "War Play Today and What We Can Do about It." International Montessori Magazine. Spring 2010. (Invited article adapted from Beyond Banning War and Superhero Play in Young Children, May 2003.) “Common Core Standards: One Size Doesn't Fit All.” Boston Globe April 18, 2010. Op/Ed piece co-authored with Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Discusses how the proposed common core national education standards are harmful to kids. “Hard Economic Times May Not Be All Bad for Kids.” Op/Ed piece co-authored with Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Includes suggestions for how adults can respond to the current economic crisis with children. "Children of Parents Deployed in the War." In The Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology, Daniel J. Christie (Ed.). Wiley/Blackwells. In press [with J. Van Hoorn]. "Objectified Self, Objectified Relationships: The Sexualization of Childhood Promotes Social Injustice." In Promoting Social Justice for Children: Facing Critical Challenges to Early Learning and Development, Beatrice S. Fennimore & A. Lin Goodwin (Eds.), in press. "In Harms Way. Or Are They? War, Social Justice, and Young Children in the United States." In Promoting Social Justice for Children: Facing Critical Challenges to Early Learning and Development, Beatrice S. Fennimore & A. Lin Goodwin (Eds.). In press. [with J. Van Hoorn]. "Danger, Danger Everywhere: Helping Children Feel Safe in a Culture of Fear." Exchange Magazine—in Beginnings Section on “Safety and Risk.” March/April 2010. "Problem Solving Deficit Disorder: Creative versus Programmed Play in Korea and the United States." Child Life Focus. Winter 2010. (Originally published in: Where Do Children Play? E. Goodenough (Ed.). Detroit: Wayne U. Press, 2007.) "From 'I Want' to 'I Can': Promoting Healthy Development in the Consumer Culture." Child Life Focus. Winter 2010. (Originally published in: Child Care Information Exchange, September/October 2004.) "Voices from the Field: The Vital Connection between Anti-Bias Education and Peace Education." In Derman-Sparks, Anti-Bias Education: Empowering Young Children and Ourselves (2nd Ed.). 2009. "Voices from the Field: The Sexualization of Childhood." In Derman-Sparks, Anti-Bias Education: Empowering Young Children and Ourselves (2nd Ed.). 2009. "Good Guidance: Dealing with Today’s Sexualized Childhood." Teaching Young Children (NAEYC). October 2009. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Or Is It? The Impact of the War on Children in the United States." Childhood Education special issue on “The impact of war, terrorism, and disaster on children's wellbeing and development (with Judy Van Hoorn). August 2009. "The Impact of Violence and Disasters on Children and How to Help Them Heal and Thrive Afterwards." Plenary Presentation in Proceedings of the International Conference on Rebuilding Sustainable Communities for Children and their Families after Disasters. University of Massachusetts, Boston, Nov 2008. Cambridge, England: Cambridge Scholars Press. In press. “Child’s Play as Transformative Work. A videotaped on-line interview with Diane E. Levin.” In Transformative Works and Cultures (On-Line Journal): Special Issue on Videogaming. Interview conducted by Julia Russo. Vol 2, March 2009. Videotaped Interview Published in On-Line Journal. “Challenges of the Technological Age on Children's Development & Learning.” Closing Plenary Session. National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Institute. 2008 Institute Proceedings: DVD with Audio with PowerPoint Slide Presentations. "Too Young to Be a Consumer: The Toll of Commercial Culture on the Rights of Childhood." Exchange Magazine—Beginnings Workshop Section on “Rights of Childhood.” May/June 2009. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Or Is It? The Impact of the War in Iraq on American Children. Childhood Education" (2009 Special International Theme Issue: The Impact of War, Terrorism, and Disaster on Children's Wellbeing and Development). August 2009. [Co-author J. VanHoorn]. "Problem Solving Deficit Disorder." Paradigm Magazine, Winter 2009. "Compassion Deficit Disorder: The Impact of Consuming Culture on Children’s Relationships. Attachment and Public Life", Marci Green (Editor), London, England: Karnac, 2008. "Building Peaceable Classroom Communities: Counteracting the Impact of Violence on Young Children". Child Care Exchange Magazine (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Early Childhood Classroom Communities). September/October 2008. "Problem Solving Deficit Disorder: The Dangers of Remote Controlled Versus Creative Play". In Where Do Children Play? Elizabeth Goodenough (Editor), Detroit, MI: Wayne University Press, 2008. "Buy, Buy Childhood: Helping Children Resist the Lure of Today’s Media and Commercial Culture". Early Childhood: The Newsletter of the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood. Spring/Summer 2008. www.winnetkaalliance.org/pdf/SpringSummer08.pdf "Meeting Children’s Needs in Violent Times". Early Childhood Education: An International Encyclopedia. R. New & M. Cochran (Editors), Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. "War Play: Balancing Children’s Needs and Adults’ Concerns". Early Childhood Education: An International Encyclopedia. R. New & M. Cochran (Editors), Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. [Co-author N. Carlsson-Paige]. "Action Research: What Is It? Why Is It Important?" Child Care Exchange Magazine. (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Action Research). July-August, 2006. "Play with Violence: Understanding and Responding Effectively". Play from Birth to Twelve and Beyond: Contexts, Perspectives, and Meanings (2nd Ed.), D. Fromberg & D. Bergen (Editors). New York: Garland, 2006. "So Sexy, So Soon: The Sexualization of Childhood". Childhood Lost: How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids, Childhood in America Series, S. Olfman (Editor). Westport, CT: Praeger Press, 2005. Reprinted in: The Sexualization of Childhood, Childhood in America Series, S. Olfman (Editor). Westport, CT: Praeger Press, in press. "The ‘So Far’ Guide for Helping Children and Youth Cope with the Deployment of a Parent in the Military Reserves". The So Far Project of the Psychoanalytic Couple and Family Institute of New England, 2005. [Co-author C. Daynard]. www.pcfine.org/sofarandguard/sofar_children_pamphlet.pdf "From “I Want It!” to “I Can Do It!” Promoting Healthy Development in the Consumer Culture". Child Care Exchange Magazine. (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Action Research). September/October, 2004. www.commercialexploitation.com/articles/ "Marketing Violence: The Special Toll on Young Children of Color". Journal of Negro Education. February, 2004. Theme issue: Commercialism in the Lives of Children of Color. [Co-author N. Carlsson-Paige]. www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3626/is_200310/ai_n9248807 "Toying with Children’s Health: How the Business of Play Harms Children". Proceedings of Third Annual Stop Commercial Exploitation of Children Summit. New York, NY, February, 2004. www.commercialexploitation.org/articles/3rdsummit/Levin.htm "The Commercialization of Childhood: Understanding the Problem and Finding Solutions". Psychology and Consumer Culture: The Struggle for a Good Life in a Materialistic World, T. Kasser & A. Kanner, Editors. Wash., DC: American Psychological Association, 2003. [Co-author, S. Linn]. "When the World Is a Dangerous Place: Helping Young Children Deal with Violence in the News". Child Care Information Exchange, July/August, 2003. Beginnings Workshop on “Children’s Mental Health.” "Beyond Banning War and Superhero Play: Meeting Children’s Needs in Violent Times". Young Children, May, 2003. Issue theme: Children’s Play. [Reprinted in: Spotlight on Young Children and Play, K. Koralek, Editor, Wash. DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. When the World Is a Dangerous Place: Teachers Can Play an Important Role in Helping Young Children Deal With Violence They Hear In The News? Educational Leadership, April, 2003. Theme issue: The First Years of School. "Into the Mouths of Babes: Never Too Young to Get Hooked on Junk Food". Proceedings of SCEC Summit: Consuming Kids: Marketers' Impact on Children's Health, September, 2002. "An Electronic Age Story: Building Global Relationships through the Internet". Young Children, July, 2002 [with Olav Østvold et al.]. "Commentary: Stop Marketing ‘Yummy Food’ to Children". The Christian Science Monitor, June 20, 2002. [Co-author S. Linn]. "Aggression in the Playroom: Facilitating Play through Teaching Conflict Resolution Skills". Play in Practice: Case Studies in Young Children’s Play, C.R. Brown & C. Marchant (Eds.). St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press, 2002. "The Increasing Role of Electronic Toys in the Lives of Infants & Toddlers: Should We Be Concerned?" Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 2(2), Spring, 2001. [Co-author, B. Rosenquest]. "Learning about the World through Play". Scholastic Early Childhood Today, November/ December, 2000. [Cover story with B. Lobo]. "Help children see through violence in the Media" (A guide prepared by D. Levin in collaboration with Christine Gerzon and members of TRUCE). Violence Prevention Task Force, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2000. www.violenceprevention.com/publication.htm [Information on ordering this free guide in English is available on the website. The Spanish version of the guide can be downloaded from the web.] "Children and Media Violence". Proceedings of “Children and the New Media,” a seminar organized by the Luso-American Development Foundation & European Research into Consumer Affairs, Lisbon, Portugal, October, 2000. www.net-consumers.org/erica/policy/diane.htm "Commentary: Shielding Children—Golden Marble Awards 'Celebrate' Corporate Marketing To Our Children". Christian Science Monitor, Friday, September 22, 2000. [Co-author, S. Linn]. www.commondreams.org/views/092300-102.htm "Rethinking Play: Changing Times, Changing Needs, Changing Responses". Our Children Magazine (The National PTA Magazine-Cover Story). November, 1999. "Commentary: The War-Toy Connection". Christian Science Monitor, October 5, 1999. [Co-author, N. Carlsson-Paige]. www.parentingbookmark.com/pages/NCP03.htm "Rethinking Early Childhood Practice in the New Media Culture: Changing Needs; Changing Responses". Child Care Information Exchange, July, 1999). [Reprinted in Australian Early Childhood Educators Journal)]. "Toys: Goals & Guides". Ambulatory Pediatric Care, R. Dershewitz (Ed.), Philadelphia: Lippencott-Raven, 1999. "Changing Needs, Changing Responses: Rethinking How We Teach Children [in today’s media culture]". Child Care Information Exchange, 7/99—#46. "Marketing Violence to Young Children though Media and Popular Culture: Testimony Presented to the US Senate Commerce Committee". Congressional Record, May 6, 1999.