Growing Up Too Soon

 

Choosing a chapter from the book Rethinking Popular Culture and Media was challenging. As I took some time to look through the titles of the chapters many of them seemed to pertain to either my classroom or my home, or both. Eventually I made my decision. I chose the chapter titled Six Going on Sixteen written by Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin. The reason for this choice was because during this past school year, and if I am honest, the last few school years, the children in my classroom, and more specifically the girls, have been acting, dressing and playing in ways that made me question their actual age. 

The children in my classroom are 4 and 5 years old. They are young. Many times they did not know how to hold a crayon, but they knew how to twerk. They did not have the social skills to share materials or wait for a turn, but they could cut each other down with mean glances and even meaner words. They did not know how to zipper their own coats, yet they but they could walk all day in a pair of shoes they wore from home that had 2 and a half inch heels. Often times in the classroom my teacher assistant and I would look at each other and say, "5." As in, they are only 5. 

I have watched the children in my classroom come to school and present a wide variety of issues that have been seen in the media. I have heard them quote tv programs that I would not have expected them to have watched. I hear them have full conversations regarding violent video games that I would not have thought they had played. Unfortunately with all of technology that is available today it is quite easy for young children to see an interact with materials that they are probably way too young to understand. Along with the technology though is the marketing. 

It is hard to find children's clothing that is not related to a cartoon, movie or video game. The clothing aisles for children display a who's who of popular shows. These shows are not just transferring to clothing. The popular toys in the toy aisle are often related to these movies and shows as well. The outfits are not just simple t-shirts or dresses either. Often the style of clothing is designed for people much older than the intended audience. 

In the article Six, Going on Sixteen McLaughlin talks about the "negative effect of mainstream media on our young students." She explains the multiple ways she worked to change this culture in her classroom. Many of the ideas she used are ones that teachers are familiar with and utilize regularly. Some ideas included family newsletters that didn't just talk about the curriculum in the classroom, but also talked about the issues that were arising and how they were being handles. She worked hard to bring back play into the classroom by providing a wide variety of open ended materials. She instituted a toy lending library to allow students to borrow materials, use them at home, then bring them back and choose different ones. The school as a whole  had a family game night where families came to school and had the opportunity to play a wide variety of games. McLaughlin also attended a two day seminar led by one of my undergrad college professor Diane Levin of Wheelock College. All of these actions had an impact on her classroom. Students began playing again. Families began questioning choices and making decisions to bring about change at home. The school as a whole shared resources and provided supports to make changes at school. In other words the community came together and decided they wanted better for this group of students. 

Imagine what more of us could do if we pushed back. If we decided that we weren't going to buy the provocative clothes and shoes for young children. If we decided that blocks were a better investment for preschool children than LOL Dolls. Imagine if we connected with our inner child and spent more time laughing and being silly with children instead of helping to perpetuate this idea of forcing them to grow up too soon.

If you would like to read more information regarding the importance of healthier children's entertainment you can find some information here at Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (TRUCE) or Fairplay (formally Campaign for a Commercially Free Childhood).