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Lesson Overview
Featured Article: “A 6-Year-Old Asks Why There Are No Female Toy Soldiers. Now, There Will Be.”
A letter written by Vivian Lord, who is 6, drew a flurry of news media attention and prompted one toymaker to develop, for the first time, a pack of the classic toy soldiers designed to be women.
In this lesson, you will reflect on your own favorite toys from childhood, explore why one girl from Arkansas decided to implore toy makers to update a classic and make the case for a toy you believe needs a 2019 revamp.
Warm Up
What were your favorite childhood toys?
Make a list of at least five. Then, select one from the list to write about or reflect upon:
Why was it one of your favorites toys? What made it so much fun to play with?
How would you describe the toy for someone who has never seen or played with it (e.g. the color, size, main features, accessories)?
Then, turn to a partner and share your writing or reflection.
Discuss together: Do you think young children in 2019 would want to play with your toy? What makes a great children’s toy?
If time permits, share your favorites with the whole class and see what patterns and commonalities emerge.
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the article, then answer the following questions:
1. The article begins, “Since their debut in the 1930s, toy soldiers have, at their core, hardly changed.” Describe in your own words what a typical toy soldier looks like. Have you ever played with one? If yes, what was fun about it? If no, explain why.
2. Who is Vivian Lord and what was her reaction to playing with toy soldiers on a recent vacation? What inspired her to write a letter to a toy company?
3. What are the main arguments of Vivian’s letter? What aspects of the letter do you believe are most persuasive?
4. How did Jeff Imel, the owner of BMC Toys, initially react to Vivian’s letter? What led him to change his mind?
5. Why does JoAnn Ortloff, a retired fleet master chief, believe female toy soldiers can have an important impact on the issue of gender equity? How do you think female toy soldiers would have affected you and your peers had they been available in your childhood?
6. What is your reaction to the images and descriptions of Mr. Imel’s first group of female toy soldiers? Do you think they will be popular with young kids today?
7. What is your reaction to the article? Would you consider buying the new female soldiers for yourself or a younger sibling or friend? What did you learn about the power of individual voices — especially young ones — to create change?
Going Further
What childhood toy do you believe needs an 2019 update, makeover, rebranding or even a completely new launch?
Review your list of favorite childhood toys from the warm-up activity. Are there any that seem out-of-date or problematic?
Then choose one or both of the following two activities:
1. Write a letter to a toy company and urge them to make a change.
How will you get the toymaker’s attention? What is the problem with their current version of the toy? What specifically do you think should be changed and why? Who would use the new version of the toy? Do you have a particular target audience for the new product in mind? How will this revised product positively affect young children who might use it?
Use Vivian’s letter as a model: Consider the persuasive techniques she used — lots of exclamation points, making a personal connection — and employ your own, perhaps more age-appropriate ones, for your letter. If you feel inspired, find out which company manufactures your toy and email or mail them your letter.
2. Design and sketch an updated or revamped toy.
What is your new vision for your toy? How will the makeover address and fix the problems with the old version? Who is your target audience? What design features might appeal to the interests and needs of this audience? Consider how specific details like color, size and accessories can help you meet your vision.
Annotate your design to explain how it improves the original toy. If you’re inspired, create a new product tagline, slogan or jingle.
