Precious Pinata will be showcased Thursday, December 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that episode.
Here is the Q&A with Charlene for you to enjoy:
1. I love how the book has so many different themes to explore and the plushy Precious Pinata toy is adorable with all the stuffed coloured balls inside its belly. How did you come up with this concept?
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The concept came from my first book, the Pinata Theory which targets an adult audience. The Pinata Theory explains the dynamics and sources of human influence, stored in an individual’s subconscious mind, affecting a person’s beliefs and life outcome. “What’s in Your Stuffing” is the subtitle of this book, a metaphor to help people visualize the effects of life experiences coming from many sources, i.e., family, religion, social norms, culture, adversity, where you live, media, etc.
The book speaks about “unhealthy stuffing” such as racism, greed, materialism, unhealthy family dynamics, childhood adversity, or trauma, which all contribute to a person’s life outcome (i.e., socioeconomic, health, relationships, self-image). The book contained “Sparkling Pinata Tips” which are life tips sprinkled throughout the book, highlighted with an adorable Pinata. I thought, why not make this cute Pinata into a toy for children to teach them about life, minimize adversity and promote health, safety, and life skills? Each of the balls relates to a life topic. Putting the balls inside of Precious helps children visualize the effects of healthy and unhealthy stuffing (life experiences) that go inside of them, or they share with others.
The book “Precious Pinata What’s in Your Child’s Stuffing?” is read to a child by an adult, covering diverse life topics to prepare children for everyday life. The design of Precious was based on psychology, prevention, education, and mentoring, all produce a successful teaching method that works.
2. I think most of us wish that we learned more as kids growing up, but the resources were limited and conversations about mental health and other topics carried a heavier stigma than today. How does Precious Pinata address tough topics so loved ones can navigate these waters effectively?
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I agree! If we learned about real-life or had good discussions with an adult early in life about tough topics, many people would have had a better life, versus developing mental illness, addiction, or life-altering disease. Adverse childhood experiences are the greatest link to future disease. “One in three girls and one in six boys in Canada experience an unwanted sexual act” and “95% of sexual abuse victims know their predator. Source: https://littlewarriors.ca/about/information-resources/. Precious Pinata’s book covers abuse, unhealthy relationships, mental health and so much more.
Being honest with children will save their life, health, and future. Precious’s book makes it easy for parents to teach their children about life, done in a child-friendly way. We can have a better world if we cut through the lies, stigma, and distortion, being transparent about sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, and accepted norms that are wrong.
Would you put your child in a car without a seat belt? Not speaking to them about real-life topics is leaving them blindfolded, naïve, and vulnerable.
3. You offer a lot of school programs and workshops which is fantastic. I’m wondering since kids are very inquisitive, what kind of questions do they ask you? On the flip side, since you also cater to parents, educators, and communities, what kind of questions have you encountered from them?
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The school programs did not start because of covid. If educators would like to have a presentation this fall moving forward, the school presentation includes interaction (learning, sharing), an appearance by the Precious Pinata mascot, dancing, and music, suited for children in Junior Kindergarten to grade 5. The school can request specific topics to cover in the presentation, i.e., Orange Shirt Day (Residential Schools, Indigenous Children, Racism), Pink Shirt Day (Bullying), 911, Healthy Relationships, Emotions, and Mental Health, for example.
The topic of sexual abuse is a topic covered by a parent (or therapist) with their child, not in a group setting. Therapists use Precious Pinata with positive results with children who have experienced trauma. Children open up and share based on Precious Pinata talking about the brown ball – Pinata Poop Stuffing. Children are encouraged to share any experience that makes them feel sad, angry, afraid, guilty, or worried with an adult right away so they can get help with the situation and feelings. Parents have shared their children opened up and shared experiences and feelings with them. The book encourages dialogue, health, and growth tools. The book is designed to open up dialogue about important life topics and fill the gap that traditional education does not provide.
A parent shared her seven-year-old daughter thwarted off a predator, as she was taught about familiar people acting strange, sexual abuse, and telling someone right away. A therapist in Montreal shared great success using Precious with autistic children. A teacher shared a shy boy opened up after she read portions of the book to him about sharing experiences and emotions.
Many adults have said they wished Precious Pinata was shared with them as a child, as they would have been aware of the abuse and known what to do. Children are vulnerable. Precious Pinata educates them to remove the vulnerability. Predators are tactful and ruthless. We must be truthful with children, to avoid abuse and exploitation.
4. Collaborations are always a great idea. Can you tell me more about the Precious Pinata song with music production and vocals by Julian Telias and how that came to life? It’s quite a catchy song!
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I did not plan the Precious Pinata toy and book, rather it just came to me. I knew it was needed for this generation. With the pandemic, I was unable to do live presentations. It was discouraging. I prayed for assistance and I was directed (through a thought) to write a song. I wrote it in 30 minutes.
I posted a musical production project on Freelancer outlining the song project and purpose, with replies from across the world. I liked Julian’s style, talent, and voice, so I awarded him the contract. Within three weeks, the song was completed. Julian did an amazing job and recorded the song in English and Spanish. He is from Argentina. His friend did the translation to Spanish for the Spanish version.
The song was designed to reach the masses, not just kids. The song promotes diversity, unity community and love. It’s very upbeat, danceable, and has words to encourage self-love, love of others, and the planet. We are at a critical stage in humanity, shifting from damaging social norms, moving to love, peace, unity, and breaking barriers through community action. Racism plagued people of this earth. Canadians have seen this in attacks on Muslims, Chinese and Indigenous people.
5. Are there any areas of Precious Pinata that you would like to expand on or include that you feel you haven’t already covered?
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Welcome a presentation by Charlene at your workplace regarding the link between adverse childhood experiences to future disease and the design, creation, features, and purpose of Precious Pinata.
Other ideas to promote Precious Pinata and its mission:
• If you are an educator, contact Charlene for a school presentation with the Precious Pinata mascot.
• If you are a therapist or child psychologist, invest in Precious Pinata for use as a psychoeducational therapy tool.
• Police services and children’s aid services may also consider using Precious Pinata plush toys to comfort children and help them share difficult experiences.
• Retailers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding carrying Precious Pinata in their store, to get Precious Pinata to the masses.
• Psychology students would also benefit from learning about the psychological approach and advantage of Precious Pinata for children.
• High schools and universities are invited to lead a project to expand Precious Pinata locally and globally (i.e., film, cartoon, apps, dance with Precious Pinata to a new Precious Pinata song.
• Movie producers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding collaboration on a Precious Pinata movie for television or theatre.
• Musical, acting, and/or dancing students and theatre crews are welcome to propose a live production of Precious Pinata, to help children (and adults) and address social problems with solutions.
• Investors and collaborators are greatly appreciated.
You can learn more about Charlene and Precious Pinata at the following links below.
💜Website: www.preciouspinata.com
💜Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRenaudSpeakerAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/Precious-Pinata-239427400098291
💜IG: preciouspinata
💜LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-renaud-3b32b936/
💜Contact: info@charlenerenaud.com / 519-436-3911
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