Dora the Explorer Grows Up and Gets a Makeover

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Feb 17th 2009 11:00AM

Dora the Explorer is a spunky, kind-hearted, bilingual kid who spends all of her time outdoors having adventures with her dearly loved friends. Until she grows up, that is. Nickelodeon and Mattel announced their new Dora Explorer Girls line yesterday, marketed to kids 5 and way over. That's right...Dora is now a a tween.

The new Dora, who will be revealed in the fall, lives in the big city and goes to middle school. She still solves mysteries but she's abandoned outdoor adventure for shopping, jewelry and fashion. She's also computer savvy; her new fans -- other tween girls -- will be able to plug into virtual Dora playtime on a new site.

"(The Dora's Explorer Girls brand) empowers girls to influence and change the lives of Dora and her new friends," says a press release from Mattel and Nickelodeon. What I wish that doll makers understood is that power shopping is not empowering. We've got a market full of Barbie, Bratz and Polly Pockets that already do a fine job of teaching girls about lip gloss, heels and consumerism.

Bad Kid-Habits and How You Can Fix Them

Whining

TRY: "I can't understand you when you're talking in that whiny voice. Can you ask again in a different way?" (You have to say this at least 10,000 times before it works.) Hold firm with: "I'm sorry you're upset but the answer is still no."

Zela on SXC

Bad Kid-Habit: Screen-obsession

TRY: "Hey kids, new rule: You can only watch TV [say your rules here]." Follow by posting the new rules on the fridge, which will give you the opportunity tosimply point rather than repeat the rule 100x per day.

TIP: Refer to the Tips on the Bad Kid-Habit Whining slide to cope with what happens immediately after you say this and for the 7-10 days that follow.

Annalog85 on SXC

Bad Kid-Habit: Won't Eat Anything

TRY: "If you eat that broccoli, I will cry! I'll do it! No! Don't eat it!" Follow with hysterical pretend-crying. For some reason our children love to watch us sob over veggies.

TIP: You have to really pour on the drama for this to work.

justinhenry on Flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Won't Get Ready

TRY: We put a sticker chart by the door, and give stickers (princesses for our Little Princess, smiley faces for our Prince) every time they are ready at the door by 7:45.

TIP: Give a small prize when the chart has 25 stickers on it. Something small. Like stickers.

merfam on Flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Ignores your requests

TRY: Wait until your child needs something (hungry, thirsty, help with a project) then say, "Sure-could you please just put your clothes in the hamper first? Thanks!"

TIP: Don't repeat requests a million times, because that turns your voice into Background Noise.

Johan Larsson on flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Won't Go to Bed

TRY: Routine, routine, routine. After reading 1,000 books about this, routine is the common advice-thread. Figure out the sequence of events that works best for
your family and do their bedtime routine the same way at the same time every night. (If you have a great routine that works, will you post it in the comments?)

TIP: If you can incorporate things you say or sing into the routine every night, that's even better (like singing the same songs in the same order). Remember Pavlov?

Robert Crum on flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Sibling fighting

TRY: "Okay you two are not allowed to play with each other for the next 5 minutes. Please find separate things to do." (Follow up with suggestions so they don't just stare helplessly into the middle distance).

TIP: This tends to make siblings unite against you in their desperate desire to play together. Really make them wait it out.

hyperboreal on flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Dawdling

TRY: When you need your kids to walk along say "Green Light!" and when you need them to stop say "Red Light!" Add in fun by saying "Purple Light!" and explaining what that means (skipping, hopping, or kids' favorite method of forward-motion: the Gallop).

TIP: This comes in super-handy when kids are about to run too far down the block and you shout RED LIGHT!

bjearwicke on SXC

Bad Kid-Habit: Hitting

TRY: When she gets that "I'm going to hit you" look, prevent her from hitting by saying "no hitting that hurts" and moving out of reach or holding her hands.

TIP: Preventing hitting takes more vigilance but if you can do it, it's easier to correct the behavior rather than reacting once you have been hit and part of you is in parenting mode while part of you is distracted by: "Ow, my eye!"

jmcknight on flickr

Bad Kid-Habit: Clinging

TRY: Cling back. This sounds crazy but worked for me-I tell my 4 year old "Oh my gosh, you are stuck to my butt! Please hang on! Don't fall off!" She laughs like crazy while I try to get dressed and put my makeup on with her hanging on. After a few minutes she's had enough and lets go.

TIP: Finish your coffee first.

Sarah Serendipity on flickr

Dora has always offered girls something different. I hope that tween Dora is still brave, active and doesn't mind setting herself apart from the crowd. I mean, her best friend is (or was -- no word on what's happening to Boots) a talking monkey. Can Barbie say that?

Maybe I'm judging the new Dora too quickly. After all, all we've only seen her silhouette. But that flowing hair and those long, skinny legs give me great pause. My three-year-old adores Dora just the way she is. But she also loves "big girls." The minute she sees Tween Dora, will her devotion to that spunky little adventurer fade for a fashionista middle schooler?

It's like this: When Dora first showed up on the scene, she was an adventurer. But then her cousin Diego came along and suddenly Dora's toys were offering girls two options: princess or babysitter (to Dora's twin baby brother and sister). My hope for Dora's Explorer Girls is that they open up a whole new world of choices for girls 5 and up, not box them in even further.

Are you excited that your big girls will now have their own Dora to play with, or do you wish that Mattel and Nickelodeon had just left Dora alone?

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Comments (200)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

LS 2-17-2009 @ 11:35AM

Man, am I glad I have a boy.

You ought to know better than to expect Mattel and Nickelodeon to leave Dora alone!! She's a cash cow right now, and past experience has shown them that a cash cow for one age group can ALWAYS be expanded into a cash cow for all age groups. Muppets became Muppet Babies, Mickey Mouse et al became Disney (hurl) Babies, even Barbie got a little sister, and the always-hated Bratz turned into Bratz Babies, complete with rhinestone pacifiers and thong-diapers. gag.

So they see another cash cow in Dora. Pity, though, that they're sending a message, LOUD AND CLEAR, that in order to be "popular" and "in" and whatever, you have to be exactly like everyone else out there. I agree with you. I'd LOVE to see a spunky, blue-jean or cargo-pant clad, dirt-smudged, messy-haired Adventuring Dora as a tween. I might even buy that for my son!!

But, alas, it never will be. Because, dontcha know, all girls can DO is shop and makeup.

Mattel and Nickelodeon are idiots.

Lola 2-18-2009 @ 9:24AM

I so agree with your comment. Wow all a girl is good for is shopping & make-up, cool! Why will we never have a woman president? Gee I don't know, I have to go buy a new lipstick! Whee! Giggle giggle.

LS 2-18-2009 @ 9:31AM

Make sure you get matching shoes... and don't forget the facial/makeover/mani/pedi before that, because you SURE can't go outside without looking PERFECT!!!

Give me my mud-covered pickup truck ANY day.

Mary Ann 2-18-2009 @ 12:05PM

As a "mom-mom", I'm appauld that Dora needs to grow up. She empowers little ones (Kate is 2 1/2 yrs. old). She prefers Dora and her adventures to all other activities. Dora can keep up with everything that happens in life. If you turn her into another Barbie, you will be telling girls to be "bubble heads". In this day, girls need to be leaders and able to take care of themselves, because the men don't do that. Keep Dora exploring with learning experiences.

Mylena 2-20-2009 @ 8:31PM

LS, I'm a tomboyish girl. The only "shopping" I do is looking for books. I don't do makeup, I love crime dramas, Pokemon, Power Rangers, you name the boyish thing, I like it.

I hope Dora becomes a tween thing for everybody.

mary 3-07-2009 @ 1:36PM

ya your right they should make a new dora if not theyll just get bored of the same OLD dora

Sue 3-07-2009 @ 9:16PM

I only have a boy too. But I am concerned about the message it sends to him. Pop culture is sending the message more and more that a girl's value is in her beauty, which must conform to Hollywood's standards of beauty. It's beyond vexing!

Shele 3-08-2009 @ 3:49PM

Dora needs to stay "little". No need to grow up. She is unique and special to the right age group as she is. I agree we already have enough dolls teaching girls to be fake! Dore is happy to work for an answer or adventure. Life isn't easy; why should we endorse toys that make it seem as thought it is.

FedUp 3-09-2009 @ 11:57AM

This article is redunkulous.
Why can't people just leave things alone? Everyone tries to manufacture things to follow kids as they grow up.. and in some cases, I completely understand. But come on people.

This is Dora the Explorer we're talking about here.
She was made to be the fun-loving little girl.

Kids grow up... and that's fine.. but can't we just think up a NEW show for the Tween-aged fans of this type of show? Is imagination really running out over there at Nick and Matel?

Parents FINALLY have another show that is educational and fun for their 5 year olds.. and POOF! Marketing executives take it away.

Disney better send Nickelodeon a GIANT Thank-You gift. Atleast they still show some decent cartoons every once in a while.

lauren 3-09-2009 @ 1:42PM

They are sexing up Dora the Explora and making her into just another tween sexy character. And that is because this society does not really want smart, fearless, kind girls.....they want sexy, dumb girls who only are interested in SHOPPING. There are no positive role models for girls and it SUCKS. Then people wonder why girls are having SEX at ... Read More10. When you have a character that is now supposed to be in JR high dressing like a slut!!! They claim that they just want to grow with the girls who grew up with Dora. Ok fine, then make her older but keep her smart and adventurous and fearless..and innocent....Don't SLUT her up and make her go shopping.
I am DEVASTATED for Amanda and we are supposed to see Dora (ok the old Dora) live tomorrow and I feel sick. ROAR...........and people want to know why I am a feminist...................lets start a letter writting or e-mail campaign to express our displeasure.lets me pro active for our kids!!!!!!

Apple 3-09-2009 @ 1:14PM

I 10000% agree!!! I COMPLETELY refuse to buy any of the Dora stuff now - why let my daughter get started then have to stop her? It's hard enough to combat the "boys toys" and "girls toys" problems now... LEAVE HER ALONE!

Why do they feel it necessary for 5 year olds to be dressed in mini-skirts, anyway?? what's wrong with jeans and regular t-shirts?

camdon89 3-09-2009 @ 9:12PM

This is why Americas kids are becoming more and more sexually active. This is why Americas kids are so materialistic, because we are always trying to make them adults before it is time. Does Matel have to make billions at the expense of our children's welfare. Nothing is wrong with the old Dora. My 3 year old loves her and has learned so much in the years she has been exposed to her. i don't think a 5 year old needs to know about shopping and jewelry and short skirts. I think children are not being allowed to grow up slowly and stay children. What's the rush, there is enough stuff when they turn into teens that they and we as parents will have to contend with. I am appauled at this new possibility of Dora. I will personally not allow my daughter to be associated with it and will campaign against it if it comes to fruition. Let kids stay kids. Why do we want them to grow up so fast, so a companies can line their pockets. I bet those corporate heads won't allow their 5 year olds to play with or watch her. We need to get back to what's in the best interest of the child. Let little girls stay little girls for as long as life will allow them!

Mindi 3-09-2009 @ 9:15PM

HOW STUPID!!!!! I don't understand why these companies don't talk to consumers before they do something so silly, and they will lose soooo much money! I have 2 daughters... one just turned 2 the other in in kindergarten ( her 1st year in school). My 2 year old LOVES Dora and Boots. My five year old is a Hannah Montana fan and used to love Dora but now "DORA IS FOR BABIES" ask any child 5-6 years old and they all say the same thing----"Dora is for babies" and once kids are "too old" for something they are not going to start liking it again, even if deep down they want to like the new Dora. They will not take the chance of playing with "baby" toys no matter how old they make her look she will still have the same name. What Mattel and Nick should do is leave Dora the way she is(there are always 1-3 year olds that will like her). If they want to do something along the lines of older kids.... invent a whole new character(that is what they are doing anyway) and give her a different name so older kids will like her! Doesn't anyone who makes these decisions have little children???

Rhonda OConnor 3-11-2009 @ 4:31PM

No my daughter Loves Dora The Way she is and she is 8 now

Karen G 3-14-2009 @ 8:29PM

This is absolutely rediculous! My baby girl is just over 2 years old and I kid you not when I say that she has watched Dora since she came home from the hospital since birth. She does not watch a lot of t.v. but this is her favorite show. We have Dora everything. One of her first words was "backpack".
I understand wanting to expand to an "older" audience, but why ruin a good thing? At the very least, introduce a new cousin. For those faithful followers of the show, Diego's sister used to be Daisy not Elisia so they think we didn't notice that, why not pop in another cousin?
I fear that my baby girl will no longer follow the show. What is this going to teach our children? Dora is now portrayed as a middle class girl who doesn't need a lot of money or material possessions to have a great adventure. She just needs her back pack, her best friend Boots and occasionally some help from Tico, Isa or Benny.
My baby girl has learned so much from the show and she doesn't need to learn how to shop! I can handle that on my own.

paige 3-24-2009 @ 1:17PM

I think that this change for Dora is fine and everybody should stop making a big deal about it. This new tween Dora was probably created for the interest of kids 6 years and older, not your 2 year old daughter or son.
bove Mindi said that her kids have mentioned that Dora is for babies and they would rather watch Hannah Montana. Well, compared to Hannah Montana, which is probably too mature for a 5 yr old, the tween Dora is the better choice. Wouldn't you rather have your kids watch a show with a character you know is safe and educational instead of something that deals with situations that aren't appropriate for the young child's mind?
Also, whoever said that Nickelodeon was completely giving up on the old Dora? The original Dora will, or at least should, still be around for those children who haven't grown out of that original, little girl character. Just because Dora has grown up and has a different look to her does not mean she is a "slut" or is just going to talk about shoes, lipgloss, fashion, etc.! All the public has seen is a new style, not a new character and personality.
Some will agree with me and some will not. I'm only a teenager and I'm also not a mother. So yes, I do have a little bit of a different outlook on the whole situation than a mother or father would. Though, my final say in this matter is if you don't like the way the new Dora looks then stop showing the program to your kids. But in my opinion, you should at least wait and watch the show before you go on and make judgements about what you're seeing on the outside. Like the old saying goes...dont judge a book by its cover.

-Paige C.

Jessica lam 4-11-2009 @ 6:39PM

I was reading the comment that you posted on this site and was a little offended. You see I am 13 years old and curently atending middle school, I have 3 younger silngs and I do not shop, shop, drool over boys and hang out on my computer all day. Maybe the creators of this new and "cool" Dora will givehe a personlity. She could be presien of the school newspaper, skip to every class with a peace sin bag over her sholder. Before any parents get too over worked maybe this Dora isn't going to be a popuar middle schol girl. Not every girl that dresses nice is going to be a no good teenager. Maybe Dora Grown Up will teach yournger veiwes how being a little different than the crowed, but dressing nice isn't that hard to achive. Don't judge the Dora by the silhoutte!!!! Thank You for your time.

Jamie, CT 3-27-2009 @ 4:40PM

I wonder if the same parents complaining about this are the very same parents putting their kids in beauty pagents. It's really not that bad. It's like like she's got bare legs. They are covered. I believe the outrage is misplaced.

Rose 3-27-2009 @ 7:35PM

I am so tired of little dolls looking like hookers. My girls love Dora and they wont be playing with this Bratz wanna bee. Gee thanks for making one more thing to cause children to grow up too soon.

LaRae 3-27-2009 @ 7:58PM

The new Dora... I think she’s cute. This is simply a doll. It is not the responsibility of the doll makers to ensure that our children are instilled with good values and know what is important in life. The doll signifies the growth that our children will eventually reach (Little Girl Dora to “Tween” Dora). Yes, our children will eventually care about there looks. They will love to go shopping and get a very relaxing manicure and pedicure. I teach my children that after they take care of all of there responsibilities and they have enough left, it’s all right, in moderation, to indulge in such luxuries. I do and they see me.

I tell them that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that; explaining that the wrong comes when we do these things in excess and before taking care of our responsibilities. This home training is not the responsibility of a doll or the makers of it, but the parents. If you are strongly against what the doll signifies, then simply don’t buy it. I’m sure there are plenty of parents who are confident in the knowledge they give their children. I know that my children are grounded enough to not allow a doll to strongly influence the values and teachings that I am instilling in them (and we know, that’s a never ending job). It is our responsibility to observe our children; their habits and actions, and if they begin to veer off in an unacceptable direction, I talk with them and explain the right way. The doll is make believe, I teach my children the real and then let them play. I love that they decided to keep the original Dora, which I can buy for my little nieces who relate and the “tween” doll for my little lady.

Quite frankly, the novelty will probably end soon and the doll will, more than likely, land under a bed or in a box somewhere, never to be seen again, as with the other toys that she out grew, and as she searches out the other interesting things of our world and the explanations of them.