Ep 131: Exploring Diversity and Inclusion in Children's Media
Guest: Kim Wilson & Adrianna Ruggiero, PHD
Kim Wilson is a passionate Children’s Media industry veteran who has dedicated her career to making impactful children’s content. She is the Director of OneFish TwoFish Consulting, a consulting collective that supports content creators in a range of services from education, strategy, focus testing and cultural consultation. Kim teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University and is the Director of TMU’s Children’s Media Lab, focusing on forward thinking research that helps kids media makers on topics ranging from disabilities inclusion to authentic storytelling.
Adrianna has a PhD in developmental psychology with 8+ years of extensive research experience. She is the User Researcher and child development and media expert at Sago Mini, a Toronto-based company that provides high-quality digital experiences for toddlers and preschoolers. Her expertise has impacted various projects within the children’s media industry and she continues to push and advocate for the creation of quality kids content and more inclusive and representative content.
Summary:
Get ready to discover how media shapes our children's perception of the world in our insightful conversation with Kim and Adriana, leading voices in children's media. We delve deeper into how children's media, while entertaining, can also be a powerful tool to support their learning and social skills. With these experts, we unpack the importance of diversity and inclusivity in children's media - from South Asian representation to Indigenous characters, and 2SLGBTQ+ characters - and the conscious efforts to bridge the gap between content creators and academia.
Did you ever wonder how the process of creating kids' shows ensures that children's experiences are accurately represented on screen? Kim and Adriana reveal the fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of children's media. We touch on the importance of having diverse and authentic voices behind the scenes and the intricate process of creating content that resonates with kids. Plus, we examine the unconscious biases that may influence gender representation in STEM characters!
As we navigate our way around the children's media landscape, Kim and Adriana share their tips on media literacy and how parents can initiate meaningful conversations with their children about inclusivity and difference. We learn about the powerful impact of media representation on children and how it shapes their understanding of the world around them. We wrap up by exploring the importance of testing in children's media, revealing how user testing helps create content that both kids and parents enjoy. Tune in to this enlightening conversation, and let's use media as a tool for education and sparking meaningful conversations with our children.