Fun Contest & Coupon PSA: Charlie's Playhouse Asks Kids: What Is Evolution?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Posted by Jolly Mom
Timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species,” Charlie’s Playhouse is encouraging parents to ask their kids one simple question: “What is evolution?” Launched November 4th, the “Ask the Kids Project” spotlights kids’ knowledge of evolution and is designed to spark discussions in family rooms across the country.
Parents are being asked to submit by the deadline of Nov. 16 their children's honest responses to the question online. The project will culminate on November 24th, the anniversary of “Origin of Species,” with the release of a professionally-edited video compilation of kids’ responses to the question “What is evolution?” Kids’ recent answers include:
"Evolution is accidental copies of DNA in a bad way and then results in changes and sometimes the changes can be helpful or the changes can lead to extinction. I think Charles Darwin can explain it better."
"Something about the evolutionary war."
"Well, one thing's for sure, it's not the cave times when they had to sleep on rocks."
"The first living things appeared, like medusa and the first fish. And fish evolved. And fish became something very important: a sleepwalker."
"Evolution is candy."
"Ummm, it's science."
"You mean like when we were animals and now we're humans?"
"I have no idea."
"When animals change to adapt to the weather!"
LOL! Kids say the darnedest things, don't they?!
The purpose of the Ask the Kids Project is not to tally “correct” or “incorrect” responses, but to touch off a lively discussion between parents and children about evolution. The hope is that when parents hear their children’s responses – sometimes hilariously off the mark -- they’ll take the opportunity to discuss evolution more accurately.
To thank parents who submit a child’s response, Charlie’s Playhouse is offering a 10% coupon for written responses and a 20% coupon for video submissions. Instructions and a parental release form can be found on the Charlie’s Playhouse website. The video will be posted to www.CharliesPlayhouse.com and on YouTube, and no names or ages will be used. The submission deadline is Nov. 16.
Parents are being asked to submit by the deadline of Nov. 16 their children's honest responses to the question online. The project will culminate on November 24th, the anniversary of “Origin of Species,” with the release of a professionally-edited video compilation of kids’ responses to the question “What is evolution?” Kids’ recent answers include:
"Evolution is accidental copies of DNA in a bad way and then results in changes and sometimes the changes can be helpful or the changes can lead to extinction. I think Charles Darwin can explain it better."
"Something about the evolutionary war."
"Well, one thing's for sure, it's not the cave times when they had to sleep on rocks."
"The first living things appeared, like medusa and the first fish. And fish evolved. And fish became something very important: a sleepwalker."
"Evolution is candy."
"Ummm, it's science."
"You mean like when we were animals and now we're humans?"
"I have no idea."
"When animals change to adapt to the weather!"
LOL! Kids say the darnedest things, don't they?!
The purpose of the Ask the Kids Project is not to tally “correct” or “incorrect” responses, but to touch off a lively discussion between parents and children about evolution. The hope is that when parents hear their children’s responses – sometimes hilariously off the mark -- they’ll take the opportunity to discuss evolution more accurately.
To thank parents who submit a child’s response, Charlie’s Playhouse is offering a 10% coupon for written responses and a 20% coupon for video submissions. Instructions and a parental release form can be found on the Charlie’s Playhouse website. The video will be posted to www.CharliesPlayhouse.com and on YouTube, and no names or ages will be used. The submission deadline is Nov. 16.
November 12, 2009 8:34 AM
This is crazy! We're really beginning to teach our kids this nonsense? How about we begin to teach our children about how God created each and every one of us and that He has a purpose and plan for each of our lives- that He came to give us life abundantly and not that we were once "animals". That is the silliest idea I've ever heard.
November 12, 2009 11:31 AM
msortegon: Thank you for your comment! While I do understand your frustration and respect your opinion, I know that many people who believe in evolution also believe in God.
My personal opinion is that having open discussions with children about all beliefs--religious and scientific--is always healthy. This contest seems like a way of opening the door to having a conversation about evolution AND other beliefs as well. Talking about one does not mean we have to negate the other.
November 16, 2009 10:01 PM
Piera, I applaud you for having the courage to post about this topic. When I read it I had a feeling you would get the response like the one you received from msortegon. While I do believe in God, I really do not know exactly HOW we came to be on this earth, I was not there and there is no one here now that was there at the time. I do not think there is sufficient evidence to prove one way or the other exactly HOW we came to be (IMHO), so I will continue to read and learn and listen to religious people and scientific people WITH RESPECT! (Isn't that why it is still called the THEORY of evolution?)
I also think you answered msortegon very well without insulting her beliefs in any way, or belittling her. I think she/he could have stated her/his opinion in a much less rude manner.
Thank you for bringing this information into the mainstream.
Bravo, Piera