Why we learn, what we learn
Yesterday I was looking for some Bollywood music to send for Big G's school theme. The husband has been in a big huff as to why 5-6 year olds need to learn about Hollywood, etc? How is this kind of knowledge and awareness going to help them in any way? I agree but am also of the opinion that kids in general are exposed to lots more sensory (and unnecessary) stimulus when they are watching TV programs or simply when they are in the same room with the TV turned on. Ads, film trailers, random music videos, action programs - shape their perception and cognition of the world around them. I am now asked to buy certain type of shoes, or games or biscuits based on what they see on TV!
Regarding the school theme, it involved some housework where they (rather the parents) had to answer questions regarding their favorite TV program, their favorite character, TV channel, genre of film they watch (which was a bit much with romantic as an option?!!), and favorite Hollywood movie and actor. Big G chose Mary Poppins and Julia Andrews by default, as that is the only one she has watched so far. They are also going to compile the results and draw up a Hall of Fame, listen to some film news (delivered by the teacher), sign autographs, and build a camera and discover their acting talent. I think there will be a fair bit of learning too about the making of a film/TV program.
I like the theme-based approach to learning at Big G's school. It is very different from the traditional and rigorous education in India that I am used to. Till the kids are in the kindergarten, which is for 3 years, they are not taught to read or write, only theme and activity based learning. Kids in the last year of kindergarten, Big G's class, keep a pencil at school and write their name on worksheets. Some children don't know how to and that's ok too. The learning is varied - a restaurant theme, a science laboratory, a baking week, a visit to the airport for the theme 'flying'...............And that Big G is learning new things is demonstrated by the sheer number and diversity of questions she asks me.
My question, rather the husband's, is why pick this particular theme. Even in children's programs on TV, you have child models, singers, dance groups. A 5 or 6 year old with restricted TV (and TV channels) viewing privileges may be ignorant of it but peers will fill in that gap surely. And that Justin Bieber, Laura Omloop, K3, Ian Thomas etc demonstrate attitudes, values and behaviours which I am not sure my child can discern objectively at her age. Hence the reservation and a request to talk to the teacher.
What do you think? Isn't this a fine line to cross? On one hand, I can take recourse to the cultural differences - where I'm coming from to what is acceptable here. Kids here are exposed to parents smoking, drinking in front of them, divorced parents, teens dating, teen sex too!! There is a TV program 'Tiener Moeders' (teenage mothers) - sometimes as young as 14 to 15 year olds having a baby and life therearound. Sad! I think there ought to be an age appropriate learning and sensitization to young impressionable minds. And even back in India, I have seen kids watching movies, dancing to movie songs, etc. Where and how does one draw the line? I don't have the answer yet.
Regarding the school theme, it involved some housework where they (rather the parents) had to answer questions regarding their favorite TV program, their favorite character, TV channel, genre of film they watch (which was a bit much with romantic as an option?!!), and favorite Hollywood movie and actor. Big G chose Mary Poppins and Julia Andrews by default, as that is the only one she has watched so far. They are also going to compile the results and draw up a Hall of Fame, listen to some film news (delivered by the teacher), sign autographs, and build a camera and discover their acting talent. I think there will be a fair bit of learning too about the making of a film/TV program.
I like the theme-based approach to learning at Big G's school. It is very different from the traditional and rigorous education in India that I am used to. Till the kids are in the kindergarten, which is for 3 years, they are not taught to read or write, only theme and activity based learning. Kids in the last year of kindergarten, Big G's class, keep a pencil at school and write their name on worksheets. Some children don't know how to and that's ok too. The learning is varied - a restaurant theme, a science laboratory, a baking week, a visit to the airport for the theme 'flying'...............And that Big G is learning new things is demonstrated by the sheer number and diversity of questions she asks me.
My question, rather the husband's, is why pick this particular theme. Even in children's programs on TV, you have child models, singers, dance groups. A 5 or 6 year old with restricted TV (and TV channels) viewing privileges may be ignorant of it but peers will fill in that gap surely. And that Justin Bieber, Laura Omloop, K3, Ian Thomas etc demonstrate attitudes, values and behaviours which I am not sure my child can discern objectively at her age. Hence the reservation and a request to talk to the teacher.
What do you think? Isn't this a fine line to cross? On one hand, I can take recourse to the cultural differences - where I'm coming from to what is acceptable here. Kids here are exposed to parents smoking, drinking in front of them, divorced parents, teens dating, teen sex too!! There is a TV program 'Tiener Moeders' (teenage mothers) - sometimes as young as 14 to 15 year olds having a baby and life therearound. Sad! I think there ought to be an age appropriate learning and sensitization to young impressionable minds. And even back in India, I have seen kids watching movies, dancing to movie songs, etc. Where and how does one draw the line? I don't have the answer yet.
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I'm with you. While I really like theme based learning, the key is to pick up appropriate themes. For instance, daughter's class has done themes like, growing, weather, behiviour(bad behavour, good behaviour), numbers, animals. And they are great. It is amazing how much they learn from theme based learning. TV programs, Bollywood/Hollywood, I'm not quite sure. Not when there are so many more relevant and interesting things which are age-appropriate.. I would talk to the school about it, if I were you..
ReplyDeleteChildren's programs here on TV are quite good that way - I don't feel uncomfortable with whatever daughter watches - so far. Touchwood, but I wouldn't want the school encouraging her to watch TV in any way. Thankfully, we've been quite happy with the way the school here handles stuff.
Agree Smitha, I too question the need and appropriateness of this theme. And for all dance and music festivals, it is rock and pop numbers which are used, again my observation from the annual festivals. One reason could be here specifically and maybe elsewhere in the West, there is an absence of heritage culture- music, songs, dance, etc the way we have in India. It does exist and is preserved only in museums, closed circles, etc, not for the general population. And that is a big cultural lacuna. Another is obsession with Americanism. Either ways, not a great state of things!!!
ReplyDeletei agree to you completely. you know because of this reason we don't have a cable connection at home. Once we have a cable connection, we can't control what Zini watches, but if we don't have it, then nobody watches TV and then this problem doesn't arise...I wonder what will happen if Zini gets such an assignment!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a very good decision. I have also restricted TV viewing for my kids to 'Nick Junior', found the mix of programs ok and have some learning too. But really, TV viewing ought to be a privilege and it's great if you don't expose them early to it.
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