RTé's Late Late Toy Show – Diversity & Inclusion in Action.

A television show which first aired in 1975, The Late Late Toy Show is an Irish institution. Each year individuals, couples and families across Ireland tune in to watch Ireland’s children sing, dance, entertain and talk all things toys. Branded pyjamas, mugs, blankets, baby onesies and lounge wear – with many proceeds given to Irish Children’s Hospitals’ charities – there is no question we love our Toy Show tradition. This year alone, over 5,000 acts applied to participate in the show, and audience tickets were applied for in equal enthusiasm. Arguably the most sought after in the country, over 90,000 people applied to win one of the coveted 150 tickets within the first 5 days. With winners in the minority, the vast majority of us watched on TV. Such is its institution, that expats all over the world tune in to watch online, and Irish embassies opening their doors for special ticketed viewings. It’s THE event on the Irish entertainment calendar. It rarely fails to disappoint, this year no exception, with many claiming it was the best show to date – but ‘best’ for reasons which may be “different” than what one might expect of a show ‘about toys’.

Inclusion in Action.

This year’s show was the most diverse and inclusive to date.

Diversity of identity, ability, cognition, ethnicity.

Diversity of experience and appearance.

Diversity of preferences and talents.

Diversity was presented in a host of enriching ways. Difference was highlighted as beautiful. Diversity was championed and normalised. But perhaps most crucially, people and inclusion were at the heart of the show. In fact, if I was asked to sum it all up in just one word, ‘inclusion’ would be the word I would choose. Irish sign language throughout, boys who knit, girls who box, presenters with Down’s Syndrome, toy’s with autism featured, dolls with prosthetic legs, book characters with two mothers, use of assistive technology, a segment about buying locally in charity shops, boys who dance, girls who play golf, boys who like gem stones, girls with short hair.

“Difference is a badge of honour.”

Diversity really was the golden thread which ran throughout the entire show and sowed us all together inclusively. Our respective differences are what we have in common. Difference is ironically what binds us.

Tone-sensitive: Financial Diversity.

With homelessness in Ireland at an all-time high, a show which could be predominantly materialistic and consumption-driven really made a conscious effort to subtly address Ireland’s housing crisis. With reference to Santa finding children who live in homes as well as hotel rooms, the show’s producers consciously and unpatronisingly acknowledged financial diversity, the presence of privilege and lack, and the struggles of many, at this time of year in particular. These challenges were addressed with frequent reference to ‘cheap for the elves to make’ toys, conscious shopping and great gifts to be found in local charity or second-hand shops.

“The elves love this one cos it’s not dear to make.”

Planet Conscious: Give Time & Experiences over Plastic & Packaging

In keeping with tone sensitivity, the show’s producers were clearly mindful of one of the most pertinent current discussions around us – climate change and environmental impact. With a growing evidence base on Regenerative Coaching Psychology and Climate Conscious Coaching Psychology – we are learning more about the states of anxiety people are living under, due to severe concerns about environmental damage. The discussion and science is ever-evolving and further encompassing the psychological impact such concerns are having on pathology and mental health. With a segment on recycling, the show endeavoured to inclusively address this, with a message as to the importance of giving quality time, experiences and undivided attention to our children – the thing they value most – over needless plastic and packaging.

Mindfulness – Diverse champions

Mindful living is another theme which surrounds us in our daily life. We are well used to it being championed by lifestyle gurus, coaches, yoga practitioners and so on. While this is in and of itself wonderful, a subtle nod to inclusivity of this discussion, mindfulness was championed by an 8 year old boy, who enjoys knitting because it “takes his mind off things”. Children really do have a way of keeping things simple.

Children and their beautiful diversity first.

The Toy Show is a show for children – it might seem obvious, but this year’s show played particular homage to Ireland’s future. Unquestionably, children’s voices and experiences were to the fore, while commercialisation was in the wings; side-lined, even.

“Children’s voice matter.”

Celebrated for achievements and accomplishments, struggles, differences, and talents, children and their diverse range of childhood experiences were inclusively at the very heart of this year’s show. Whether that diversity encompassed neurodiversity or physical disability, glasses-wearing or short hair, loss or homelessness, being bullied or being deaf, an unusual hobby, gender identity or adverse life circumstance, the show allowed viewers – children and adults alike - to see themselves and their experiences reflected.

This is a great example of how we move from –

• the DISCUSSION about Diversity...
• ... to the ACTION of Inclusion.

As I wrote recently: “inclusivity, by its very nature is definitive. We can’t be kind of inclusive. We are either inclusive, or we are not”. It is said that actions speak louder than words, and through our actions, we are inclusive – or we are not. RTé and the Toy Show exemplified this very point – actions in the form of time dedicated to particular segments, representatives chosen, segment themes allocated, toys selected to feature (such as assistive technology Freddie Fish Bubble Machine, an Autistic Doll who likes quiet spaces, Barbie Wheelchair, Little Person The Sinead Doll) – wonderful examples of not simply talking about being diverse, but rather, actions that are inclusive.

From the mouths of babes. Resilience, Humour & Curiosity.

Despite humbling challenges, enlightening too, was the ease and good humour with which these children were so able to dust themselves off in the face of adversity. Resilience personified. Children are indeed remarkable. As adults, in organisations and wider society, we can learn so much from their approach. They see difference for what it is, not the story they attach to it.

• Child: “Look John is/has X. Why?” (acknowledgement & curiosity)
• Typical Adult 1: “John is/has X. Don’t look, you might make him uncomfortable.” (see, but ignore – avoid one's own discomfort)
• Typical Adult 2: “John is/has X. That means he can’t do XYZ.” (see difference as debilitating or limiting)

While these are not the only responses, here is where adults and children typically diverge – while as adults we often ignore the issue out of our own discomfort, children call it out and lead with curiosity; while as adults we attach a story of what can’t be done based on our perception, children lead with curiosity about what can be done, or what can be changed to accommodate the difference. They see difference, and rather than seeing what can’t be done as a result of it, they look for accommodations which can be made for it.

Language counts: ‘As a result of’ VERSUS ‘in order to’

“Where does the adjustment need to lie?”

A key takeaway from a recent masterclass with Global Neurodiversity expert and FORBES contributor Dr. Nancy Doyle on Coaching for Neurodiversity as an Inclusion Strategy, was the power of asking the question “where does the adjustment need to lie?” This places our focus on accommodating external changes, rather than changing the individual. As individuals, managers, leaders, parents, siblings, friends, a subtle shift in language can have a much wider inclusive footprint.

• Instead of: “she can’t do X as a result of Y”,
• try changing our language to: “in order to do X, how can we accommodate for Y?”

A subtle change in language but one which totally transforms our focus. Like this language change, The Toy Show championed a strengths based approach, leading with curiosity about matching toys with children’s strengths, and in doing so, transforming the diversity discussion into inclusive action. 

Difficult themes. Vulnerable conversations. Powerful Messages.

Bullying, loss, homelessness, child illness, neurodiversity, physical disability – the show didn’t shy away from difficult themes and vulnerable conversations. In doing so, they successfully conveyed powerful messages that hit home with many viewers.

Children, too, teach us about vulnerability through their sense of wonder. Curiosity and vulnerability go hand in hand. We cannot champion vulnerable and open workplaces, schools and societies if we do not encourage and foster curiosity first.

Vulnerability and judgment cannot coexist.

Creative, open, authentic expression cannot exist where scrutiny flourishes. For vulnerability to thrive, psychological safety, compassion, empathy, and acceptance must be nurtured.

The Toy Show’s host (Ryan Tubridy for any non-Irish readers), fostered such safety through his compassion, empathy and acceptance, that the children who featured on the show courageously wore their vulnerabilities on their sleeves. Their vulnerability fostered connection and belonging – as shown in the outpouring of love which flooded social media in the minutes, hours and days that followed. If connection and belonging is what we seek to nurture, we must first provide safe spaces for vulnerability and curiosity to lead, and encourage our children’s natural sense of wonder.

What matters most.

Compassion. Empathy. Connection. Non-judgement. Acceptance. Kindness. Relationships. Quality screen-free time. Sharing experiences. Families reunited. Sick children and their siblings acknowledged. Diversity celebrated. Inclusion in action.

The most viewed Irish TV show, The Late Late Toy Show is, and has an important platform, with viewership reaching 1.7 million tuning in - roughly 75% of Irish TV viewers. It is one of the few moments where so many of us come together to consume the same viewing experience. With such a powerful platform comes responsibility - representation really does matter and once again “see it to be it” comes into play. The production team did a noteworthy job, ensuring maximum diversity of representation, and in using the platform privilege for greater good. The show was used as a vehicle for positive change, a vehicle to promote important social discussions, and vehicle for inclusion – all of which sought to ensure we drive our children to the diverse, empathetic, kind, inclusive, tolerant future they deserve.

The true spirit of Christmas.

The true spirit of humanity.

About the Author

Jen Martin LLB MAaPPCP works as a Psychological Coach and Corporate Trainer. From SME's, Multinationals and Individuals, Jen has spent the last decade gratefully working with C-suite executives, government officials, diplomats, and actors in Europe, Russia and Asia. Jen’s psychological approach to English language and soft skills training for non-native English speakers, optimises business and management communication. Jen's coaching centres on cognitive-behavioural psychology for managing growth and change, harnessing positive change for individual, team and organisations alike. Passionate about supporting her work and clients with empirical evidence, through her leadership research, Jen champions and specialises in Vulnerability and Psychological Safety - promoting increased connection, engagement, commitment, collaboration, innovation and inclusion. Other areas of research interest include Self-Efficacy, Imposter Phenomenon, Resilience, Cognitive Flexibility and Optimal Performance. She is deeply passionate about fostering and leveraging human connection, the driving force behind her work and research.