The aims of Art Education according to the MOE Art Syllabus 2009 is "to enable every child to be visually literate and to appreciate art". If you look at the syllabus here (p. 5), there is a brief explanation of visually literate and appreciate art. In addition, the MOE English syllabus 2010 also has similar intent (p. 131). I will attempt to construct what visually literate is with examples in my own words.
Once during recess, I saw a Primary 3 girl buying only a few snacks. I made a causal remark about how little food she was eating. I expected her response to be something along the line about not feeling hungry but instead she said she wanted to lose weight. Flabbergasted, I asked her for the reason for wanting to lose weight. She was tall for her age but definitely not overweight. She said she couldn't fit in some of her clothes. After explaining growth spurts and suggesting that she can choose healthier food instead of restricting her food intake which might lead to malnutrition, she seems to be convinced.
It's probably too early for a 9 year old child to worry about body image. However, it's no wonder that they do so especially when we are bombarded with images in our environment. We have the media to tell girls what to wear or how to look, check out the internet or magazines which is easily accessible to teach girls how to wear makeup or perhaps trying to convince girls that being beautiful means you have to be skinny and fair. For example, below is a photo that I've taken on the MRT. It's an advertisement about a skincare product (I've pixelated the brand so I won't get sued) that emphasized about its ability to achieve "instantly 4 times fairer skin that keeps getting fairer*". Note the asterisk that comes with a small print at the bottom that probably states result may vary depending on individual skin types.
Sometimes, it is also common to see advertisement featuring lingerie-clad models at the bus stops. These models who are featured are usually slim-built and fair. Girls learn indirectly from these sources that their appearances are more important than how smart or hardworking they are and many girls of colour have little hope of ever measuring up to the cultural standard.
The film industry are aware of their impact on children. The classic Disney movies have moved from portraying women as a damsel in distress (e.g. sleeping beauty) to being more feminist such as the movies in Mulan and Brave.
It's also relevant to think about the societal messages to young children in the context of a patriarchal system.
As a teacher, I think it's important that I know what my pupils are learning and not learning both from the outside and inside of a sanctioned educational institution. When children are more critical of images or information presented to them, they will become better-informed consumers.
Once during recess, I saw a Primary 3 girl buying only a few snacks. I made a causal remark about how little food she was eating. I expected her response to be something along the line about not feeling hungry but instead she said she wanted to lose weight. Flabbergasted, I asked her for the reason for wanting to lose weight. She was tall for her age but definitely not overweight. She said she couldn't fit in some of her clothes. After explaining growth spurts and suggesting that she can choose healthier food instead of restricting her food intake which might lead to malnutrition, she seems to be convinced.
It's probably too early for a 9 year old child to worry about body image. However, it's no wonder that they do so especially when we are bombarded with images in our environment. We have the media to tell girls what to wear or how to look, check out the internet or magazines which is easily accessible to teach girls how to wear makeup or perhaps trying to convince girls that being beautiful means you have to be skinny and fair. For example, below is a photo that I've taken on the MRT. It's an advertisement about a skincare product (I've pixelated the brand so I won't get sued) that emphasized about its ability to achieve "instantly 4 times fairer skin that keeps getting fairer*". Note the asterisk that comes with a small print at the bottom that probably states result may vary depending on individual skin types.
Sometimes, it is also common to see advertisement featuring lingerie-clad models at the bus stops. These models who are featured are usually slim-built and fair. Girls learn indirectly from these sources that their appearances are more important than how smart or hardworking they are and many girls of colour have little hope of ever measuring up to the cultural standard.
The film industry are aware of their impact on children. The classic Disney movies have moved from portraying women as a damsel in distress (e.g. sleeping beauty) to being more feminist such as the movies in Mulan and Brave.
It's also relevant to think about the societal messages to young children in the context of a patriarchal system.
As a teacher, I think it's important that I know what my pupils are learning and not learning both from the outside and inside of a sanctioned educational institution. When children are more critical of images or information presented to them, they will become better-informed consumers.
