Whilst the debate may continue, clearly it is all down to the superhero. Ideally we would love every child to grow up as their own superhero, however, they definitely benefit from guidance along the way. In my slightly skewered opinion it's not dissimilar to the nature/nurture debate- everything comes down to the individual therefore whether superhero worship is mostly good or bad cannot be accurately ascertained. It is always going to be 50/50 dependent on the child as each one is an individual. Personality plays a huge part in everything psychological; some children will be drawn to the dark side and others the light so to speak. Imagination is everything and there will always be the occasional child who is more on the side of the wolf than red riding hood! This is the reason I like the 50/50 statistic- you either do or you don't! It applies in every situation.
A good positive role model will always be an inspiration which is why so many people regard one or both of their parents as their hero. But failing a hero, we still require role models therefore even a fictional role model with the right characteristics can capture the imagination and help children create a set of values which endorse integrity throughout their lives. Where superheroes are concerned, my first thought is always going to be Batman and his enemy The Joker. The question is, who wants to be Robin? The sidekick is essential because no one leads alone; teamwork is everything... okay, I'll quote it, 'There's NO I in TEAM.' This is a very important lesson for children to learn. Their super heroes, whether real life people or cartoon characters, need to be considerate, cooperative, patient etc.
Now onto some background regarding today's superhero, Candy Floss. Bright Horizons is a chain of day nurseries that originated in the USA starting out as children's centres during the mid 80's. The idea was the brainchild of co-founders Linda Mason and Roger Brown; formed in response to a lack of childcare facilities in the workplace. It was a very innovative project to undertake and ahead of its time. Over the years Bright Horizons has grown gradually and literally expanded its own horizons to different corners of the earth, owning nurseries in several countries, recently advancing to Australia if I recall correctly.
The trend to remain innovative continued, eventually birthing Candy Floss, its blue and black superhero who is there to generate an awareness of health and safety amongst the children within their nurseries. I think the concept is great and children warm to Candy Floss- although I do find it hard to get my head around the name, which was chosen by children- perhaps it's a good job Candy Floss can't actually open it's mouth or a few dentists might faint! Braapers in the USA, please note: your superhero is Lolly Pop, Candy Floss's cousin.
Hopefully the Government's drive on teaching oral hygiene to children and their emphasis on healthy eating, both of which are embraced by Bright Horizons, will have more of an impact than one popular name.
In answer to my question are Superheroes a good thing, I personally believe there is a role for them and if you want my opinion, I think Candy Floss is a good thing; and more importantly, so do Ofsted and if it's good with Ofsted it's good for business!
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Jaz McKenzie~ The Word Magician
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