Body Painting!

1. Why did you choose this particular activity?

Painting is always a fun activity! What better way is there to learn how to accept yourself and others rather than just judging too quickly or believing stereotypes? Children will have a fun and great time being able to paint and draw themselves and realize how they view themselves. The ending result would be a multicultural collection of paintings and acceptance of one another.

2. What is the appropriate age for this activity?

This activity is very age appropriate for ages 3 to 8. “Preschoolers get even better at noticing differences among people. They can name, identify, and match people according to their physical characteristics” (York, pg. 12). This proves that the children would be able to paint their own physical characteristics and notice others. “Young children’s thinking is very limited, distorted, and inconsistent, which makes them susceptible to believing stereotypes” ( York, pg. 12) and the ultimate goal is for the children to believe their own judgements rather than stereotypes. “[Children] (ages 5&6) continue to be interested in physical differences and can easily describe themselves in terms of their own physical features” (York, pg. 13). “They (ages 7-9) finally understand that things stay the same even though they may change in appearance. Children realize their gender and skin color will stay the same as they grow into adulthood” (York, pg. 19).

3. Explain why this is an appropriate theme.

Themes such as “I’m me, I’m special and alike and different” are very important for children to learn while they are young. This is appropriate so that they can enter the real world and society with a positive mindset on themselves and acceptance of differences and multicultural diversity. Children will have the ability to compare and contrast with themselves and others and learn to understand while growing.

4. Relate your activity to three concepts from the handout Goals for Anti-Bias Curriculum. (handout, supported by Ch 7)  This is where you answer "how does this activity meet anti-bias goals?"

-”Increase children's ability to interact, talk and play with people who are different from them.”

Children will be able to see each other work on their paintings and see how each painting is different from one another and talk about differences and similarities.

- “Teach children how to cooperate with others” by working with one another and helping each other out on their paintings.

- “Provide children with a positive experience exploring similarities and differences” by the final outcome of the drawings. Each drawing will be different and special in it’s own way and children will be able to learn how to accept all the differences.

- “Encourage children to respect other cultures.” Since children will be painting themselves, all paintings will be different. It’s a virtual version of them and respecting each drawing is also the same as respecting one another’s cultural differences.  

Materials:

- Unbreakable full-length mirror

- Tempera paint

-  Paint brushes

- Butcher paper

- Crayons

- Markers

- Soap & water

- Paper towels

Directions:

1. Put a piece of clear plastic film over the mirror
   

   
2. Ask the child to stand against the mirror and trace their body outline.
3. Have the child color in their body.
4. We then have the children lay on butcher paper to trace their bodies to create a body sculpture.
5. Have the children paint, color, and draw in their features to their bodies.
6. Cut out both body drawings and staple it to one another.

After children have finished their masterpieces, they will be able to showcase it to everyone else. Children will be able to present their paintings and view each other’s while analyzing the differences and similarities.

Children’s Books:

The first book I chose was “It’s Okay to be Different” by Todd Parr. This fun, colorful, vibrant book teaches children that it is okay to different and unique from everyone else, because everyone is special in their own ways and will be loved for it. I chose this book because it promotes self-love and acceptance of oneself and everyone else despite skin color, body image, disability and more. I would read this book aloud to the student’s with the sound effects and have children do their body painting after!

The second book that I chose is “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt. This fun book is based on a bunch of crayons that have quit on their owner due to being treated unfairly and misused. Children will have a blast reading this and actually be able to apply it figuratively and literally. The crayons are protesting against what they are used for, which you could also compare to stereotypes (ex. the yellow crayon is always used for the sun and black is always used for outlining). This I chose this book because of it’s great illustrations and humor! The most important part of this book to me is the message of accepting one another and being able to accept who you are! Children could apply this reading to their activity while drawing in their features with crayons.

This activity is an overall great exercise for children. It’s something that they can both enjoy and learn from at the same time. Being able to draw/paint yourself out and draw your own features is a way of they perceive and accept themselves and also have the ability to see how different and alike they are from one another.

Reference List

York, Stacey. Roots & Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf, 1991. Print.

"It's Okay to Be Different: Teaching Diversity With Todd Parr - ReadWriteThink." Readwritethink.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015.

"The Day the Crayons Quit." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015.

Children's Film Movie Review: Mulan

Mulan

Released: June 5, 1998

What might children be absorbing from this film?  

• Children could be absorbing that only beautiful women can get married or find a man and that only men are able fight in war or serve in the military.

If you watched the film as a child, what do you remember thinking?  

• This was my most favorite movie growing up which is obviously why I chose it. I remember that it was my favorite because she wasn’t a princess. I was so used to princess fairy tale movies and this one was different because it showed that a woman was able to fight (last quarter of the movie). I didn’t like her with all the make-up in the opening scene because she didn’t like it, wasn’t happy and didn’t feel like herself, so it was like I felt for her. I also thought that if girls were to have short hair then they would look like a boy, just like Mulan.

If your children watch this film, what do you think they are learning from it?

• If my children or students were to watch this film, I think that they would learn that not all women are accepted by society. Mulan had to pretend to be a man to fight in war, and this shows children the stereotype that women are incapable of doing “the man’s job”, or simply serving in the military. She did a great job earning her honor by the Emperor of China and defeating the Huns, but she didn’t exactly do it as her original self until the end of the movie, which I think is what makes the film so awesome.

Compare your notes with what others are saying. Do you agree/ disagree?

• Compared to some research that I have found. I have to agree with what some of them say. Some reviews point out racism, stereotypes, and of course, sexism.

Asian Stereotypes and Racism:  The movie takes place in China. Your typical Asian (mainly Chinese) stereotypes can be found in this movie such as traditional Chinese dragon dances, music from a guzheng, paper lanterns, pointy farmer hats, pale white make-up, giant pandas, and odd haircuts and facial hair.

• “All right! Who wants egg rolls?”
• *while riding a panda* “What’s the matter? Never seen a black and white before?”
• “Order, order!” “I’ll have sweet and sour chicken!” “Moo goo gai pan!”
• “My children never caused such trouble. They all became acupuncturists!”
• “Number one in his class, extensive knowledge of training techniques...

Masculine Roles Stereotypes:

Mulan has the courage to pretend to be a man in order to protect her father. Unfortunately, chopping her hair off and wearing a soldiers uniform doesn’t cut it. She is forced to learn masculine roles in order to fit in with the rest of the soldiers. Mulan deepens her voice, acts masculine by throwing punches and hocking loogies. With Mushu’s assistance, Mulan sees how men are “supposed” to act. They’re unhygienic, gross, dumb and like violence.  

Mulan: “They’re disgusting.”

Mushu: “No, they’re men. And you’re going to have to act just like them, so pay attention… It’s all attitude. Be tough like this guy here. Punch him. It’s how men say ‘hello.

Not to mention, the most masculine thing in this film, is the lesson on how to become strong and macho like me should be, and if you fail to do so, then you’d be sent home dishonored.

Feminine Roles Stereotypes:

The movie opens up with Mulan getting ready and dolled-up to meet with a matchmaker to become someones bride and bring their family honor through that. During the scenes of her getting ready, a snippet from the song states “Men want girls with good taste, calm, obedient, who work fast-paced. With good breeding and a tiny waist…”. Women are only viewed as wives or housewives and the prettiest, smartest one will be the winner of a groom.

What a bride is projected to look like

After the three men dress in “drag” to help Mulan rescue the emperor, Yao makes a comment stating, “Does this dress make me look fat?” Statements like these are very stereotypical towards femininity and “that women are made to look pretty and worry about their figure, and men are made for violence and action?” (Epstein).

Sexism: When it comes to sexism, Mulan contains it to the extreme. Mulan pretends to be a man in order to participate in war to cover for her father. Women in this film are portrayed as submissive and almost nonexistent. Mulan may be the main character but the woman’s role overall in this film is considered as nothing to their society.

After discovering Mulan has ran away for war, her ancestors are awaken and one of them made a comment stating  “Your great-granddaughter had to be a cross-dresser!” Not really child friendly. It was stated in a derogatory way which children could gain the hint that it is wrong to dress as the opposite sex.

As the movie progresses, Mulan is in her “manly” form. After finally gaining, the Army Captain’s, Shang, trust and approval, Mulan felt somewhat accepted in her role until they had discovered that she was a woman. After being wounded, they had discovered that she was a woman and she admitted to it. Their reaction was very negative not just towards the whole concept of lying but for her being a woman. Before trying execute Mulan and banishing her, Chi Fu states,  “I knew there was something wrong with you! A woman!” and later he says, “She’ll never be worth anything! She’s a woman!” How negative can that comment be? To the men, women are worth nothing and nonexistent and have no role in society.

After the war victory, Mulan returned to the city alone and back in her woman form alone. “Mulan discovers that no one will listen to her warnings that the Huns are still alive because, as her sidekick Mushu puts it, “you’re a girl again”.  All of this points to the clear message that women are worth less than men. And if you would argue that Mulan proves her worth by becoming a soldier and saving her country, it must be remembered that she did it all, as a man and not as a woman” (Minna). 

Mulan will forever be my favorite childhood movie, despite all the negative connotations that it contains. Aside from all the stereotypes and sexism, you can't deny that Mulan is a pretty good role model for young girls than any other Disney "princess".

References

Mulan. Walt Disney Home Video, 1999. DVD.

"Disney’s Mulan: A Dark Film Rife with Racism, Sexism, and Questionable Morals." Review. Web log post. Wordpress. N.p., 14 Apr. 2012. Web.

Epstein, Allison. "DISNEY DECONSTRUCTED: A FEMINIST WATCHES MULAN." Review. Web log post. Wordpress. N.p., n.d. Web

Love You Forever

Love You Forever

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Sheila McGraw

Published: October 1986

This wonderful story is based on a mother’s love for her son. The story showcases her journey of love from the time he was an infant until his adulthood which also includes his wild behavior in between. As he grows older, so does she, and the cycle is reversed and a new one is created.

 

• I believe that this book showcases the characters as individuals. It’s not necessarily outside the mainstream norm, because mother’s and children is a normal thing.
• My book doesn’t really show much culture, other than motherhood. There wasn’t a father mentioned in the story as the boy and mother grew old, so it somewhat gives readers the hint that she may be a single mother, since the time period started from the boys infancy until his adulthood with no father mentioned. Some stereotypes applied to single mothers is that they are incapable of raising children, mainly sons, without the help of a man. This story proves that wrong, since the boy grew up healthy, and happy. 

• It’s actually pretty hard to decide who has the power in this book. Throughout the boy’s childhood, his wild behavior “drove his mother crazy,”  but despite all of that, at the end of the night she would rock him, and sing him a lullaby while he was asleep. Overall, I think the mother has the power. 

• The mother definitely gets all the credit for the wisdom. The nature of her wisdom was caring for her child and his crazy ways and giving him all her love every night. 

• The son didn’t really receive consequences, it was more of the mother, because he drove her crazy. I guess you can say that the mother was more of the one receiving both punishment and rewards because she was honored to be his mother and displayed that every night. 

• The language in this book is very soft and nurturing, which is usual traits applied to mothers. The images in this book is very clear on how the son has caused some chaos and how the mother displays her love and affection for her child. The images are realistic and normal to our world and aren’t fantasy like.  

• During the boy’s childhood, his voice was missing, but his actions were loud. The mothers voice is very clear and as the story ends, the man now has the voice. 

• I think that the narrative and illustrations presented in this story show that mothers will always be loving and nurturing and that boys will be hectic. 

• I think that the boys role, can portray the stereotype that boys can be rebellious and not display affection during their childhood/adolescent years. 

• The problems displayed in this book are temporary. Yes, the child may have caused some chaos and frustration for the mother, but that’s how it works, because every night, after a hectic day, it all fades away and the mother is nurturing and loving towards her son. As the story progresses, the tables turn and the man is now the one singing his mother the lullaby and rocking her to sleep, when she ultimately passes. The story then continues onto the man doing what his mother did to him, with his new child, which recreates the cycle.
• I would highly recommend this book. This book is a wonderful way of showcasing a mother’s unconditional love. It gives readers insight on mother’s journey’s as their children grow up but in the most fun and thoughtful way. It’s more emotional than it looks, and will give readers a warm feeling.

  

This book was very clear and very easy to understand. It was simple, which is what I think would catch most readers attention. There are only two characters in this book, but I think that it’s easy to have readers view in both perspectives of the son and the mother.

The characters in this story are white. There are no extreme stereotypical characteristics displayed in it, as well. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite. The story does not mention a father figure role, which gives the audience a hint that the mother may have been a single-parent.

The illustrations are very realistic, which is also another reason for readers to love this book. It shows real life illustrations on how children are and what they grow into. Both the mother and son, remain as the same characters from beginning to the end.

I believe that the lifestyles of the characters in this story is generally accurate. Yes, most neutral families tend to be predominantly white, but that doesn’t mean that there are no single-parent households that belong to them. It’s just a normal lifestyle  and relationship between a loving mother and son.

The narration of this story is very culturally authentic. It’s narrating from a mother’s perspective! It shows everything from a mother’s frustration to her unconditional love.

The mother’s role in this story is the true definition of a mother. It shows her hardship, her ups and her downs but at the end of the day she’s always the loving, caring, warm-hearted nurturing mother that every mother is depicted to be. Her role is simple and dominating at the same time. I find it dominating because she is the primary caregiver in this story and there is no husband or father figure role that is represented in this story. With society’s standard that a boy needs to have a father present, this story gives readers the belief that they aren’t always necessary in the picture.

The son’s role is also very effective. He’s a boy. He’s a hand full, rebellious and wild, which are they typical traits for boys. The social norm for boys/men is for them to be macho and strong and not display affection. This story also goes against that. The boy did not reject his mother’s affection, nor did he display affection throughout his childhood and adolescence, but as soon as the tables turned and he grew into adulthood, he wasn’t afraid to display his love and affection for his mother.

I think that this book can give children some insight on how childhood and growing up can be. Toddlerhood is wild, childhood is fun and messy, teenage years are rebellious and adulthood is when reality hits and everything is appreciated. I think that children can think “well I’m at this age and I’m the same way. Maybe I’ll progress like when as I get older.”

References:

"10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Sexism and Racism". Adapted from the original brochure which was published by the Council on Interracial Books for Children by the California State Department of Education. Sacramento, Bill Honig, 1998.

Bliss, Kellie. "Evaluating Children's Literature". (2015). Online Article.

Munsch, R., & McGraw, S. (1986). Love You Forever.