Latest news with #AlizaPressman
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MGA Entertainment Launches Wonder Factory– The Game-Changing Dough and Sand that Never Dry Out!
Wonder Factory Offers Kids a Hands-On, Tactile, Imaginative Experience Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGA Entertainment (MGA), a leader in innovative play, today announced the launch of its latest brand, Wonder Factory™. This exciting new creative play line is designed to spark creativity and imaginative play through a variety of dough and sand products that never dry out. Wonder Factory introduces children to an engaging, sensory-driven experience, allowing them to shape, mold, and create with ease while encouraging cognitive and motor skill development. The full line of Wonder Factory products is available now at Walmart. 'At MGA Entertainment, we are dedicated to creating toys that inspire creativity and open-ended play,' said Isaac Larian, Founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment. 'Wonder Factory takes sensory play to the next level by offering kids a hands-on experience that you can mold, shape, and create. We have truly unlocked magic through this interactive and innovative line.' The packaging for both Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough and Sand Singles is a 4-in-1 tool, a new system of play, that allows you to roll, stamp, connect, and store, keeping kids entertained for hours. With a wide range of vibrant colors and numerous patterns to stamp and roll, the only limit to kids' creation is their imagination. MGA Entertainment has partnered with Dr. Aliza Pressman to highlight how hands-on activities like molding and shaping dough and sand can aid in childhood development. Dr. Aliza is a developmental psychologist, NYT bestselling author of The 5 Principles of Parenting, host of the Raising Good Humans podcast and co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. 'Sensory play is essential for a child's growth, as it enhances fine motor skills, encourages problem-solving, and supports emotional regulation,' said Dr. Aliza Pressman. 'Wonder Factory provides children with a wonderful tool to engage their senses, fostering creativity and independent thinking in a way that is both fun and educational. The Never Dry Dough and Sand are also gluten-free and non-toxic, so parents can feel good about playing with Wonder Factory with their children.' In addition to the Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough and Sand Singles, the Wonder Factory collection includes: Wonder Factory Dough Products: Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough Extruder – Features different nozzles that allow kids to create unique shapes and designs with their dough. Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough Mega Box Set – Includes 8 tubes of signature Wonder Factory Dough, 12 caps with fun stamps, and 6 connectors to roll patterns into the dough. Wonder Factory Dough Creation Station – Comes with 3 tubes of dough, 5 caps with fun stamps, 1 connector with patterns, and 4 nozzles for expanded creative possibilities. Wonder Factory Sand Products: Wonder Factory Never Dry Sand Construction Trucks – Includes 1 construction truck, 1 tube of sand, and 2 caps with fun stamps. The sand features a variety of colors and textures to mimic a real construction site, encouraging immersive play. Wonder Factory Sand and Dough Sets: Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough & Sand Starter Set – The perfect introduction to Wonder Factory products, featuring one tube of sand, one tube of dough, two caps with unique stamp designs, and a connector with patterns to roll into both materials. Kids can mix the dough and sand for exciting new textures and colors. Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough & Sand Mega Box Set – The ultimate Wonder Factory experience, containing 4 tubes of dough, 4 tubes of sand, 12 caps with different stamps, and 6 connectors for creating unique textures and patterns. The full Wonder Factory collection is available now at Walmart, bringing innovative, sensory-driven play to families nationwide. For more information about Wonder Factory, visit or connect with the brand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @officialwonderfactory. About MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment is the largest privately held toy and entertainment company in the U.S., known for its commitment to creativity, quality, and innovation. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices globally, the company creates innovative, proprietary, and licensed consumer products and entertainment properties, including toys, games, dolls, apparel, consumer electronics, home décor, stationery, sporting goods, movies, and television series. The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!™, Little Tikes®, Rainbow High™, Bratz®, MGA's Miniverse™, Yummiland™, CarTuned™, Wonder Factory™, BABY born®, and Zapf Creation®. For more information, please visit or check out at LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Attachments Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough CONTACT: Amanda Magalski FINN Partners for MGA Entertainment MGA@ MGA Newsroom MGA Entertainment +1.818.221.4431 news@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts Are Begging Parents To Stop Doing These Things That Turn Kids Into Entitled Monsters
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
If You Want To Avoid Raising Entitled Kids, Experts Say Not To Do These 4 Things.
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Buzz Feed
06-04-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
If You Want To Avoid Raising Entitled Kids, Experts Say Not To Do These 4 Things.
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. HuffPost.
