Welcome to Small Humans, an ongoing series at Mashable that looks at how to take care of – and deal with – the kids in your life. Because Dr. Spock is nice and all, but it’s 2018 and we have the entire internet to contend with.

Now more than ever, it’s particularly evident that children need to be exposed to diversity as young as possible. It’s a topic that can inspire hesitation among a lot of parents, but setting the foundation for inclusivity isn’t as hard as you might think. Interactive play with diverse toys can be a great method to accomplish this. 

Diversity – which is often used in tandem with inclusion – in this context refers to having access to toys that represent individuals of a range of races/ethnicities, ability statuses, and genders. There are other aspects of diversity that are more challenging to represent without backstories. For those, books are a wonderful way to introduce aspects of diversity like sexual orientation, financial class, language, neurodiversity, and mental health. 

According to psychologist Dr. Amber A. Hewitt, a specialist in gendered racial socialization, being exposed to diversity via toys has great benefits for identity development. 

“An inclusive toy box can promote positive racial/ethnic, gender, and cultural identity development for children. It’s important for children to see themselves reflected in their toys,” Hewitt explains. She explains how a lack of representation in one’s toy box can send harmful messages ranging from “people who look like me don’t matter” to concerns if there are others who look like them. 

In this way, diverse toys can promote inclusion by literally making members of marginalized groups more visible in a child’s daily life, as well as giving children more models that reflect themselves. 

“All of the messages can impact a child’s sense of self-worth and can perpetuate stereotypes. It’s important to remember that not all of the messages that children receive are verbal. And children learn, including learning messages about identity, through play,” Hewitt says.

It’s hard to think about the subliminal impressions children pick up through toys without thinking of the “Doll Test” of the 1940s. The experiment revealed that all children, including Black children, showed signs of white bias, and the results have been mostly consistent through the years. 

Hewitt also believes it’s essential that we don’t send gendered messages to children during play. “I encourage caregivers and educators to avoid language based on gender stereotypes which perpetuate assumptions about the types of toys boys and girls “should” play with,” she concludes. 

It’s important for children to see themselves reflected in their toys

An inclusive range of toys is vital for children of all stages and demographic backgrounds. Not only for reflections of themselves but also as a means of seeing the diversity of the world. The following items set an excellent foundation for an inclusive toy box. 

Lammily Doll 

By now, you’ve likely heard of Barbie’s new STEM-related dolls, as well as the role model collection that’s inspired by many of our favorite IRL heroes including, Chloe Kim, Katherine Johnson, and Ibtihaj Muhammad.

But if Barbie is just a bit too problematic for your taste, you have another option: The Lammily Doll. The female Lammily doll hit the scene in 2014, and a male version was released in 2016. Based on the body of the “average” 19-year old American, Lammily brings a realistic image to pretend play. The company even sells reusable stickers and kits to simulate real-life milestones like pimples, bruises, and menstruation. Plus they’re produced by a small family-owned company. 

Wonder Crew

As Dr. Hewitt said above, it’s essential we don’t limit children to the narrow classifications of gender-based toys, as those limitations can enforce unwanted gender stereotypes. Unfortunately, children pick up on messages – such as “Boys shouldn’t play with dolls” – early. Teaching boys, in particular, to feel and express their emotions has benefits throughout their lives. 

The Wonder Crew is a novel set of dolls made with boys in mind. A recent Doll Of The Year winner, Wonder Crew encourages friendship, caretaking skills, and freedom of expression to young boys. According to its creator, the five-option doll set was created to motivate and remind young boys that they can go anywhere and be anything.    

Marvel Education MTC-164 Friends with Diverse Abilities Figure Set

You may not always know the best way to talk your child about people who are differently abled. Thankfully, the Friends With Diverse Abilities Figure Set by Marvel Education provides an interactive doorway to the conversation. 

These action-style figures were created for children from kindergarten to third grade, but they have to potential to spark meaningful conversation for folks of any age. Most of the examples are of physical disabilities, including limited mobility, low vision, and deafness. The set also provides examples of gender, racial, and age diversity. 

If you want to spread the joy, gift them to your child’s daycare or preschool 

Barefoot Books Children of the World Memory Game

Children of the World Memory Game was inspired by the classic song “If you’re happy and you know it” and it also exposes 4-to-7-year-olds, and anyone else who plays it, to cultural diversity. The objective of this game is to match boy/girl pairs with information regarding their traditional attire, country name, and background colors. 

This game is fantastic because it provides an age-appropriate introduction to cultural differences that preschool and early elementary school age children may not encounter otherwise. 

Gifts with their own histories

I’m sure all of us a can remember a time a loved one visited a faraway place and brought back a souvenir. That personal gift connected us to their travel and sometimes created a long-term desire to see the place for ourselves. 

These artifacts aren’t limited to geographic destinations. They can also be from places that highlight critical cultural movements like museums or monuments. Posters, books, and key chains all have the potential for long-term impact when given with love and a detailed backstory.    

However, it’s vital that parents and gift-givers provide cultural context to gifts that relate to specific groups and time periods. If you’re concerned that a gift might be culturally appropriative or otherwise problematic, keep the following guidelines in mind. 

1. Always include a fact-based description or book that explains the gift within the necessary cultural context in language the child can understand.

2. Prioritize buying items that are explained and sold by members of the group. 

3. Teach the child that possession of the item does not qualify them to speak on the culture, specifically over members who belong to that culture.

4. Historical gifts related to the child’s own lineage or cultural identity can deepen a sense of appreciation and connection. 

Childhood is a time for play, exploration, and fun, but the toys we use to support this can have lasting effects beyond just a pleasant afternoon. 

Read more great stories from Small Humans:   

• Wild parenting advice from the first man to win a paternity leave suit

• 10 apps to help your kids learn to control their emotions 

• Real life vs. online life: For kids, is there a difference?

• Baby sleep gadgets to try if you’re really tired and desperate

Warning: Major spoilers for the new Halloween lie ahead. 

“I’ve got peanut butter on my penis.” 

That’s an actual line from the new Halloween—and it is as amazing in context as it is out of context. 

The latest addition to the Halloween franchise has been praised for revitalizing the horror of Michael Myers, cleverly throwing back to John Carpenter’s original masterpiece, and giving the franchise’s most infamous victim the conclusion she deserves. 

One of the lesser discussed assets of 2018’s Halloween (although Mashable’s Angie Han nailed it weeks ago) is the uproariously funny gaggle of prey Michael slays before his final face-off with Laurie Strode. The slasher victims’ deaths aren’t particularly chuckle-worthy, but the short vignettes they star in leading up to Myers’ horrifying appearances are memorably hilarious. 

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for your horror movie loving friend

From a yo-yo-loving dad to the most endearing babysitter and kid pairing ever, each victim of Halloween brings personality and depth to the 40-year-old backdrop of Haddonfield, Illinois in a way that makes the story not only more sympathetic, but also vastly more compelling. 

Filling horror films with hauntingly hysterical victims isn’t exactly a novel approach to the genre. Shaun of the Dead and The Cabin in the Woods are just two of many movies that have done it well. But Halloween‘s comical casualties are so timely and endearing that we can’t help but honor this particular take on the trope.

In memory of those lost to the 11th bout of Myers killings, here is a look back at some of the most memorable victims of 2018’s Halloween. (Excluding the Strode women—they deserve a retrospective that is all their own.)

The investigative journalists who basically just have a podcast

Number one: I love a good podcast drag. 

Number two: The dynamic of these two “investigative journalists” is so Sarah Koenig meets Piers Morgan, it had me gasping for air between laughs.

You shouldn’t taunt a notorious serial killer—even if it’s for your podcast.

The true crime world is a pretty easy one to mock—if only because it can be so melodramatic and self-important. (Notably, it isn’t always that way. Shout out to My Favorite Murder.) The characters of Dana Haines and Aaron Korey embody this reality in all the right ways. 

First, Aaron assumes shouting at Michael Myers, an infamously mute villain, will finally get him to talk. (Subtle.) Then, in an obvious breach of journalistic ethics, Dana pays Laurie, a victim of a horrifying crime, $3,000 for a bad interview she does not want to participate in. 

Finally, the two get slaughtered in a gas station bathroom because they couldn’t quite figure out that you shouldn’t taunt a notorious serial killer. Even if it’s for your podcast.

The tiny dancer and his dad who just want quality bonding time

This scene wasn’t particularly funny, but it was quirky, charming, and unquestionably the sweetest part of the film. 

Driving along a backroad in Haddonfield, an unnamed father and son are headed back from a long day of hunting. But they’re not discussing deer or rifles. Instead, they focus on the topics of time management and a passion for dance. 

The young boy explains that his devotion to dance class and becoming a better performer may mean that he has less time to go hunting with his father. The dad seemingly understands the predicament, but is sad to see his son’s time becoming divided. The boy lovingly assures him that they can still go hunting “on weekends.” 

It is a precious exchange that turns horribly heartbreaking when they drive up on the scene of a bus crash—one that resulted in the escape of Michael Myers. It’s a short vignette, but will stick with those who have a love of family and a soft spot for kids’ dreams.

The babysitter and her hilarious favorite 

Who knew the murder of a teenage girl could be packed with so many chuckles?

This horrifying sequence begins with a stunning string of zingers between Vicky, a laid-back babysitter, and Julian, her favorite ward. The two talk marijuana and browser history in an exchange that can only be described as mutual blackmail. Vicky ultimately quips that Julian is now one of her least favorite kids to babysit for.

While that insult could be seen as mean-spirited when directed at such a young kid, it turns unbelievably sweet when Vicky assures Julian that he is in fact her favorite. She wishes him goodnight and he drifts off to sleep. 

Then, Michael Myers shows up. 

Vicky is brutally murdered, but Julian manages an escape. Sadly, that means we’ll never get the incredible buddy comedy spinoff these two could have nailed. At least we enjoyed it while it lasted.

SEE ALSO: Let’s talk about that last-minute twist in the end credits of ‘Halloween’

The babysitter’s boyfriend (who looks a lot like Cole Sprouse?)

Okay, we shouldn’t be sad only because this kid reminded us a lot of Riverdale‘s Jughead, played by Cole Sprouse. But it’s totally okay for it to add to our grief. 

Vicky’s boyfriend, Dave, is present at the time of her killing. Prior to Michael’s arrival, he flirts with Vicky, alludes to a tattoo he got to honor Halloween, and, while dressed as a farmer, names his adorable toy horse. Overall, he seems like a bit of an asshole, but the kind you’d date for a while. (He’s especially dateable considering the actor who plays him, Miles Robbins, is the son of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Who doesn’t want to be in that family?)

Ultimately, Dave tries to take on Michael Myers in a battle of the butcher knives and loses big. In an homage to the original 1978 take, Dave is tacked to the wall via knife to the head. His tattoo is revealed to read “10-31-18.” 

RIP Dave and his silly tattoo. 

The most considerate buddy cops of all time 

I like my coworkers a lot. (Hello to the editor reading this piece!) However, it would take a pretty special circumstance for me to bring them a customized lunch unasked.

Officer Richards and Officer Francis are your typical squad car duo. The two sit side by side guarding the Strode house and aimlessly passing the time like old pals. In a delightful bit of banter, Richards reveals that he has had a novel “peanut butter and jelly banh mi” sandwich made for his picky eater of a partner. Francis refuses the offer saying he brought a brownie for lunch. It is adorable and still gives me the giggles.

Unfortunately, Richards is later found with a scalpel-like blade jutting out of his head and Francis’s severed cranium is gutted and carved like a pumpkin. (That second part, by the way, seems like it would have taken more time and skill than Michael had at his disposal? Not sure how to do that fact-check though…) 

Our crime-fighting buddies biting the big one is pretty unfortunate. But maybe it’ll make you nicer to the people you work with?

Allyson’s yo-yo-loving dad, Ray

Any man who can say, “I got peanut butter on my penis” with a straight face is a man worth saving. 

The men of the Strode family don’t play a big role in this heroine-centric drama. But Ray, Karen’s husband and Allyson’s dad, does make a few shining appearances. 

No amount of peanut butter on your penis can save you from certain death.

First introduced saying the aforementioned peanut butter line (he drops peanut butter on his pants and chooses to phrase it this way, motive unknown), Ray tags along as Karen’s plus one through the film’s sinister developments, occasionally tossing in a bizarre quip. When Ray joins Karen at her mother’s bunker where they are set to hide out from Michael, he cheerfully hangs out in the background and at one point does tricks with a yo-yo. 

But then he decides to offer coffee to the police officers stationed outside the house and things go… south. Michael quickly strangles Ray and leaves him dead on the lawn, heralding the beginning of the film’s finale standoff. 

Ray’s story arc highlights two major things. First, too many people don’t take Laurie seriously enough until it’s too late. Second, no amount of peanut butter on your penis can save you from certain death.

Should you join Halloween‘s victims?

Lots of horror movies can make you laugh unintentionally. (Night of the Lepus comes to mind.) But the writers of Halloween knew exactly what they were doing when they packed their fright fest with comedy. 

In an interview with Vulture, cowriter Danny McBride was asked about how the new take modernized the Strode heroines. McBride’s response aptly emphasized the ways in which ensemble comedy can enhance stories of any genre. 

“… In a horror movie it makes the stakes way better, because you’re seeing someone that you identify with or you admire or you like or there’s something about them that makes you root for them,” he said. “It’s just finding an angle on these characters that’s going to make the audience identify with them and want them to get through the night alive.”

With this generous application of comedy in mind, horror-averse moviegoers should still consider seeing Halloween. Even if you’re not in it for the screams, you should be in it for the laughs—they lurk behind every corner. 

If you’re visiting Arlington, Texas, and have been itching to try out an autonomous vehicle, you’re in luck. 

Starting Friday, three Drive.ai self-driving cars (and eventually five) will be available to ride — for anyone, not just office workers, city officials, or a select group of “early riders.” Back in July, Drive.ai piloted the autonomous Nissan NV200 vans in Frisco, Texas. The Arlington deployment will be around for the next year.

“This is a not a quick demonstration,” CEO Bijit Halder said in a phone call this week.

If you’re interested, you can download the Drive.ai app or order a car from a kiosk at five pickup points. The cars are taking passengers along three routes that hit the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the Texas Rangers ballpark, the Arlington Convention Center, restaurant districts, and other venues. 

SEE ALSO: Don’t believe the naysayers: Self-driving cars are already here in many ways

The cars aren’t entirely driverless — there’s a safety driver in the driver’s seat and a “chaperone” in the passenger seat. But they’re still recognizable as self-driving cars. CEO Halder called them “distinct.” They’re bright orange and blue, with a special city emblem on the side. “Self-driving cars should stand out and proclaim itself as a self-driving car,” Halder said.

Human-robot interaction is a key component of Drive.ai’s vehicles. Digital panels on the car have images and words displayed to tell pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road what the car is going to do, such as stop for you to cross. They also inform people outside the car whether it’s in self-driving or manual mode.  

Here’s what that looks like on the road.

The year-long pilot will provide a trove of feedback about the self-driving experience, something Halder relishes.

Back from the experience in Frisco, the autonomous vehicle company had thought riders would ask about safety. Instead many passengers asked about controlling the music that played during the ride. Halder took this as a promising sign. “If you’re bored, I’m happy,” he said.