Mattel Introduces Chatter Matters: The Game ThatEncourages Family Communication; The Game That...

Entertainment Editors

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2000

In a world of working moms, teenage drivers and soccer practice, many parent only see their kids as they're flying out the door.

Families become isolated in their homes. Parents lose touch

with their children. That can all change with Chatter Matters(TM), a new board game developed by family therapist Kathryn Retsky and her son, Jonathan Lane. Chatter Matters creates an environment that fosters open communication among family members by encouraging players to share their thoughts and feelings about various topics. Players are asked thought-provoking questions that can lead to interesting discussions. It's a fun, non-competitive way for a family or friends to spend an evening together, just in time for National Communicate with your Kid Month in October.

Designed for parents to play with their children, questions were developed to encourage warm, positive feelings and help family members learn more about each other. Chatter Matters has four categories of question making up more than 200 playing cards. Included are blue "My Room" cards with questions about yourself, purple "Living Room" cards with questions about the family, orange "Kitchen" cards with discussion questions of various family topics, and green "Game Room" cards with activity questions. In addition, Chatter Matters contains a game board, a die, six moving tokens, and six chip houses, six double-sided wish cards and 90 chips. But the best part is that there are no losers, only winners. Get to know the other players in your family better and be the first player to fill up your "Chip House" with 15 chips and get your wish granted! The game takes about an hour to play and includes activities such as discussions, doodling, scavenger hunts and drawing. As Chatter Matters increases communication within your family everyone becomes a winner.

Chatter Matters was born out of Retsky's real life experience when son Jonathan was 14-years-old and came home from school with a story typical to the teen years. A friend of his was very upset with his lack of communications with his parents. After coming home with this story, Retsky decided it was time to help kids talk to their parents...and vice versa. Using her background as an educator and therapist, she created and developed a prototype for Chatter Matters, carefully consulting with Jonathan on the format of the game and the questions selected. "Many of the problems parents encounter with their children can be attributed to unsatisfactory communication," says Retsky. "Parents often feel it gets increasingly more difficult to talk with their kids as their children grow into the teen years. If we can start developing some skills to keep the lines of communication open, we've got a much better chance at being able to relate more positively to one another. And that's what Chatter Matters is all about."

The primary object of the game is to foster fun and communication. Since every family is unique, some cards may not apply to every family, so the cards can be arranged or altered as they apply. Families today see less and less of each other and Chatter Matters will treat them to conversation, competition and laughter. Because, as we all know, Chatter does Matter.

"In a society where families are going 100 miles an hour just to keep up, simple communication between members can be the first thing to fall between the cracks and Chatter Matters is a fun way to make sure that families communicate and play together," says Phil Jackson, Vice President of Games & Puzzles Marketing for Mattel, Inc. "The new Chatter Matters game expands Mattel's portfolio of family games and players will love the fact that there are only winners. It's a new way to reach an audience that grew up playing traditional board games and are looking to bring back those great experiences with a game that they can call their own as they share the experience with their children."

Chatter Matters has been named one of "Dr. Toys 100 Best Children's Products" by helping to expand children's communication, emotional and social development skills, as well as their imagination. The game has also received the national Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

Chatter Matters is available nationwide with an approximate retail price of $19.99.

Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of family products. With headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and markets its products in more than 150 nations worldwide.

Artwork available upon request.

Chatter Matters(TM) is a Trademark of Parenting Solutions, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA