CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Cultural Influences: Patchwork Text

Patch 1: Images of Childhood(s)1

Patch 2: What is a Child?3

Patch 3: Interview with an elder about childhood5

Patch 4: Position on Children's Rights6

Patch 5: 'No Way. The Hundred is There!'8

Patch 6: In a child's words…friendship and relationship9

Interview transcript11

Patch 7: A conversation between Malaguzzi and Piaget12

Patch 8: Reflective Commentary14

References16

Cultural Influences

Patch 1: Images of Childhood(s)

Image 1:

Source: http://jenabroad.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/children-playing/

Image 2:

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9143621/Children-spend-353-hours-a-year-using-gadgets.html

Whenever the word 'childhood' is used, the first image that strikes the mind is related to play. All the memories of playing as a child are recalled by just a mention of this word. Play is central to a child's life. There are different plays that one indulges in during the early years of his/her life. The kinds of play and playing habits vary with the region and the prevailing culture of the area. Local culture plays a central role in the way play takes place (Kehily & Swann, 2003). Johan Huizinga (1938) in his work Homo Ludens (The Playing Man) identifies play as central to the culture.

Two pictures above show a stark contrast of the way different children from different areas belief play to be. When I first looked at the photo of those Burmese and Iraqi refugee kids playing in the first photo, I was really inspired by the enthusiasm they showed while playing. They did not even care if they had to play outdoors, in the sand and with bare feet. Instead, there seems smiles and laughter all around. And instead of playing individual or pair games they are seen playing in groups irrespective of age and gender of each other. The source from which the photo has been taken describes how much they enjoy playing. She says that she finds nobody sitting during play time. They do all sort of things that show energy which include running, gymnastics, playing football and different kinds of outdoor games. Their play shows the culture they live in which is quite different from the one we do (Rutter, 2006).

So, on the other hand, the child in the second picture, belonging to my culture, gives a contrasting view of play. He is no doubt thoroughly enjoying his time while playing with a play station which is evident from the happiness on his face. But, the preference of indoor, individual play, over outdoor playing opportunities, I believe makes him miss out a lot of enjoyment factors. I never realized I missed so much in my life (like the boy in the picture) until lately. Looking at the cultures of different areas, I realized that playing video games are no substitute for outdoor games. The fun it carries when playing in a group stands in no comparison to playing alone at home. I always believed video games as the best play. I felt that going outside for playing might make my clothes dirty or running hard might make me fall and get hurt. Fears, those fears defined my behaviour and deprived me of the enjoyment that I would have ...