The Mr. Copycat Project was developed
for two specific reasons:
- To raise awareness of children copying
aggressive or potentially dangerous behaviour from television
(and from computers) throughout Hertfordshire.
- To raise parents' awareness about accidents
to young children in the home.
The Mr Copycat
resource package is aimed to:
- Raise awareness of young children of
the dangers of copying aggressive behaviour from T.V
- Raise awareness of parents of young children
of the dangers of children copying aggressive behaviour
from T.V
- Encourage parents to supervise and screen
potential violent programmes
The project produces a number of Mr Copycat
resources for use by professionals targeting parents with
young children in small group settings e.g.;
- Health Visitors
- School Nurses
- Nursery Leaders
- Playground Leaders
- Under 5's Officers
The Mr Copycat resource pack includes:
- Mr Copycat puppet, which is used in conjunction
with an A3 story presentation;
- Mr Copycat display, which is a series
of 3 posters, 2 banners and a cut-out of Mr Copycat, which
is suitable for promoting Mr Copycat's messages in venues
where parents' and children's groups meet;
- Laminated A3 flow chart, alerting parents
of the need to screen potentially violent T.V. programmes;
- A4 laminated master colouring sheet;
in conjunction with the story presentation, the children
will be given a colouring sheet to reinforce Mr Copycat's
messages at home;
- Carry case
In 1995 the package was used as part of
a pilot study at local Parent and Toddler Groups and in a
Nursery. The general feedback was very positive and parents
were anxious to see it develop further. At this stage, the
Hertfordshire Accident Prevention Group recognised the potential
of such a worthwhile initiative and agreed to work with the
Initial Project Team to facilitate the development and evaluation
of the Mr Copycat resource
Link to Hertfordshire Accident Prevention Group Website: safetynet.org.uk
Contact the Environment and Health
Promotion Manager, Carlton Lomax, on 01727-819455 if you would
like more information on this project.
|
