Parents

WHAT'S THIS STEAM STUFF ABOUT?

Simply put STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) are the careers of the future. Brown Toy Box is creating toys, books, games, experiences and content all the equip children to confidently explore STEAM activities so that they will feel empowered to those majors in college and later, those careers as adults.

WHY EDUCATIONAL PLAY?

Acclaimed children’s television host, one of America’s most beloved television teachers used to say, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” We agree! We believe that anyplace a child experiences on a regular basis, be it the toy box, the toy aisle, the classroom or the television (or any screen), they should see themselves positively represented. We know that play is where children get their sense of who they are, and their place in the world. When children don’t see themselves represented in toys, this erasure makes them feel “othered” as if these things are not meant for them. Brown Toy Box is creating products, games, content and experiences that leverage educational play in order to expose children to boldly chase every dream.

WHY ARE ALL DADISI CHARACTERS BLACK?

Brown Toy Box is working to normalize Black excellence, create pathways to prosperous careers, and expand Black children’s ideas of the possibilities for their lives. We do that through purposeful play, STEAM education and cultural representation. The characters represent 15 different STEAM theme and come from across the globe. The Dadisi Academy Crew were all developed with such intentionality to make sure that Black children across the world could finally see themselves positively represented in toys. The characters are essentially guides leading children to and through a journey exploring the STEAM fields that will be the future of work and that could change the economic trajectory of their lives. We are excited that moms and dads and the special adults in all children’s lives are so intentional about ensuring that their youngsters have a more diverse toy box than they had when they were children.

YOU WERENT A STEAM MAJOR? YOU DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE?

Doesn’t matter! You are your child’s most important and influential teacher. The most important thing is to try to always speak in the affirmative about learning, for your children, but also for you too. How many times have you heard adults say, “I’m not good at math.” That negative language sends a signal to your child that if they don’t understand something, they aren’t good at it.

They could very well be a genius at math or a concept they aren’t understanding, the key is to make simple, digestible and if possible, fun. We encourage parents to make ever challenge an opportunity for growth. You don’t need to be a genius, or a STEAM major, or a college graduate to be a STEAM advocate. You just need to be an adult in a child’s life that wants to ensure they have access to everything that you wished you had and everything you want for them.