The Sexualization of Early Childhood
The information provided in the article was not so much of a shocker to me because as a head start teacher I have witnessed some of these examples. Children making remarks and dancing in perogative ways is something that parents find joy in. Instead of redirecting them to put that energy into sports, they instead promote them by laughing and encouraging them. At school on the playground, I have witnessed children dancing on the swing poles as well as on boys thinking that it is cute and the thing to do. When I witness such activity, I immediately stop the children and tell them that this is not appropriate and little boys and little girls do not behave in this way. I explain to them that they can remain friends, just not dance together, but instead play together.
When you google "twerking" and other grown-up things on the internet, videos including children pop-up as well. In order for children to behave in this manner, they have to get the behavior from somewhere and it comes from mainstream. Children are on youtube just as much as adults are these days watching and learning from various videos. Girls think that because mom twerks it is okay. Boys think that it is cool to dance with girls and call them all kind of names because their "daddy" does so.
In order for children to be successful, we have to build partnerships with our parents and guardians so that we can keep the children active in the right things and not just watching television and other electronics all day. It is okay to engage in some electronics but we must monitor them more and push more academics instead.
Chanelle,
ReplyDeleteI think directing children to more appropriate activities is a good way to keep children developing in a healthy way. Sports and other activities can be very beneficial for children socially and emotionally as well. Thank you for your ideas on building partnership with families.
Hi Chanelle!
ReplyDeleteYour post was very reflective and made me think about the children I have worked with in a daycare setting and middle-school students. I truly believe that children and adults can benefit positively if adults take more time into what the children are exposed to.
Chanelle,
ReplyDeleteYou made a great point, parents do encourage promiscuous behavior without even knowing it by laughing at their children's actions. I think it is great that you mentioned partnering with the families in order to make changes. Parents really need to monitor what their children watch and do in order to prevent further sexualized influences.