A roundup of recent newspaper stories relating to preteens...

2006:
Jan. | Feb. | April | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov.

2005:
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Oct. | Nov.

2004:
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

2003:
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

NOVEMBER 2006

The Purchasing Power of Preteens
This article, noting Disney's interest in the preteen market, discusses the purchasing power of 8-to-14-year-old girls. There are an estimated 19.6 million preteen girls in America . They spend roughly $30 million of their own m oney yearly, and influence $126 million in spending by their parents. (The Boston Globe, 11/6/06 , by Weiss)

From Actress to Author
Actress Rhea Perlman, who may be best known for her role as Carla on the long-running sitcom “Cheers,” stopped by two schools in San Jose this week to talk about her new book for preteens. Perlman has written a series of illustrated chapter books for children ages 7 to 11 who struggle with reading. (SJ Mercury, 11/10/06 , by McPherson)

Preteens Growing Up Faster, Experts Say
Behavioral and developmental changes that would be typical of teens decades ago now increasingly are common among preteens, experts say. The change is due to many factors including marketing influences, physical changes happening earlier, and a willingness among parents to let their children grow up faster, psychologists say. (AP, 11/28/06 )

OCTOBER 2006

Preteens Not Satisfied with Low-Tech Toys
Many preteens have moved away from playing with traditional toys in favor of high-tech electronic devices, and toy manufacturers have taken notice. In an effort to win back the preteen population, the toy industry has come up with new products -- such as interactive talking dolls, robot-making kits, and art supplies that offer video and audio prompts. ( Hartford Courant, 10/23/06 , by Klimkiewicz)

Column: Revealing Halloween Costumes Narrow Choices
This Halloween, parents and costume shop owners are seeing an increase in the number of revealing outfits being sold -- and a decrease in the average age of those who plan to wear them. Halloween store employees say the risqué outfits gained popularity last year, so they ordered more this year. The demand is making it difficult for parents and their preteens to find appropriate trick-or-treating garb, according to this column by C.W. Nevius. ( San Francisco Chronicle, 10/28/06 , by Nevius)

SEPTEMBER 2006

Experts: Despite Their Energy, Children Still at Risk of Burnout
Roughly 41 percent of nearly 900 preteens ages 9-13 surveyed in a June 2006 KidsHealth.org poll reported they feel stressed “always or most of the time” because they have too much to do and about three-quarters said they would like more free time. Overscheduling activities is a growing problem among American families, experts say, and some children become anxious when expected to perform flawlessly. (CNN, 9/2/06, by Porterfield)

Study: Teenage Brain Lacks Empathy
The area of the brain associated with higher-level thinking, empathy, and guilt is underused by teenagers, a new study conducted at the University College London Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience reports. The study found that teenagers use a different part of their brain when problem-solving than adults do, thinking first how the problem affects them personally. By comparison, adults use another part of the brain and consider how the problem affects others before giving an answer. (MSNBC, 9/8/06, by Goudarzi)

Government Cuts Preteen Health Program
A federal health program for preteens was recently cut by the Bush administration despite its reported success. The VERB program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aimed to promote exercise among preteens in order to prevent obesity. Representatives from the CDC said they are hoping to re-package the program's information so that it is still available to children. (AP, 9/14/06, by Neergaard)

Researchers: Cyberbullying on the Rise
According to an Internet survey conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, 34 percent of the 1,400 young people interviewed report they have been bullied online. Although bullying among children and teens has a long history, the Internet has intensified the problem – especially emotional bullying, experts say. (The Capital, 9/28/06, by Uhlenhuth)

AUGUST 2006

Preteens Opt for a Day at the Spa
These days, it's not uncommon for children as young as 6 to spend a day at the spa, getting a facial, manicure, or highlights in their hair, spa owners say. Experts say the trend toward spa treatments for younger children is spurred by perfect-looking celebrities, as well as parents who enjoy spa visits so much that they want their children to experience it as well. (USA Today, 8/2/06, by Puente)

Cervical Cancer Shots Hard to Find
The newly developed vaccine that prevents infections from the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, other genital lesions and genital warts, has become hard to find and is not yet covered by insurance. Doctors and parents both expect insurers will start covering the $360 cost of the three-shot-series by January next year. (SF Chronicle, 8/29/06, by Tanner)

JULY 2006

Program Offers Preteens Their Dream Job
The Redwood City-based Spark program offers summer apprenticeships that encourage preteens to try out their dream jobs. Program organizers say that the hands-on approach helps preteens get a better idea of what the job is like than if they were learning about it through a video in a classroom. (SF Chronicle, 7/29/06, by Sebastian)

JUNE 2006

Foundation Launches Website for Parents of Preteens
Preteenalliance.org, a new website sponsored by our foundation and The Preteen Alliance, was featured on KCBS Radio, in an interview with JoAnna Caywood. The website provides a forum for discussion of timely preteen-related topics, such as stress, the transition to middle school, peer pressure, health care, single parenting and testing in the schools. (KCBS, 6/18/06)

APRIL 2006

Maryland Report Finds More Bullying in Middle Schools
Data on bullying compiled by the Maryland State Department of Education shows that middle school students are more likely to experience bullying or harassment than students in elementary school or high school. Education officials said they hope to use the data to help school systems develop programs to stop bullying, which parents are calling a significant safety issue. (Washington Post, 4/15/06, by Aratani)

Study: Preteens Don't Get Enough Sleep
More than 60 percent of preteens don't get enough sleep, according to a survey by the Weller Center for Health Education in Easton , Penn. The survey, which questioned nearly 1,200 children ages 9 to 13 nationwide, cited busy lives and inconsistent bedtimes as possible reasons for the lack of sleep. (The (Penn.) Express-Times, 4/24/06, by Deegan)

Marketing for Preteens Targets Parents, Too
Marketing companies targeting preteens are increasingly including parents in their demographic, experts say. Parents say they are noticing an increase in marketing of ‘parent-approved' products for preteens, including age-appropriate music, video games and movies. (Christian Science Monitor, 4/28/06, by Collins)

FEBRUARY 2006

Disney 'Tween' Musical Tops Charts
A musical TV movie produced by Disney specifically for children between 10 and 14 years old has become a runaway hit since its debut Jan. 20. The film's soundtrack has already reached the top 10 on the Billboard album chart, having the biggest one-week jump in the chart's history. According to Disney exec utives, the movie touches on themes such as expressing and believing in oneself, respecting family , and following dreams. (NY Times, 02/08/06, by Sisario)

Counselor Develops Special Class for Preteens
In order to deal with the emotional roller coaster that comes with being a preteen, a Washington, D.C.-area elementary school counselor has started a class on how to be a good friend. The class, which started as one just for girls but has expanded to include a separate class for boys, discusses issues such as friendships, popularity, and how to roll with the punches. The counselor also has offered seminars for parents, and her class has become part of the mandatory curriculum for fifth-grade girls at another elementary school in the area. (Washington Post, 2/10/06, by Chandler)

JANUARY 2006

Program Pairs Middle School Girls with Mentors
A new program in six Baltimore middle schools aims to partner girls with mentors. The girls will participate in workshops covering topics such as peer pressure, conflict resolution, and dating, and are then paired with mentors in the community. Program organizers said they recognize middle school as a crucial time when girls need a consistent , positive influence in their lives. (Baltimore Sun, 1/19/06, by Marech)

No Name-Calling Week
Aimed at grades five through eight, No Name-Calling Week, sponsored by the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, kicks off today. The goal of the week is to draw attention to problems associated with name-calling in schools and to help students and teachers devise ways to eliminate name-calling. (U.S. Newswire, 1/23/06)

Tips for Improving Communication with Preteens
This article notes that adolescents often begin curbing communication with parents as early as the preteen years, and offers tactics for parents to entice preteens to talk. (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 1/21/06, by Hatch)

Teachers Help Preteens Identify Ad Messages
One Portland, Ore.-area fourth grade teacher is concerned about advertising directed at preteens, and decided to educate her class on the topic. The students analyzed ads and learned about underlying messages advertisers are using to promote products to preteens. The school also held a seminar for parents on the topic. (The Oregonian, 1/26/06, by Owen)