I just read in the Sunday Times about SOTA and something a year 1 student said strikes me.
He said something about "like to draw weird weird stuffs like abstract shapes objects" but his previous teachers would not understand. Here in SOTA, they do.
I know thinking about past other than learning from it has not much use in it. But I do wonder if I would be happier if I had the chance to explore my creative sides when I was young, when there were more choices in the 80s-90s and I can do more with myself.
School was fun, we had some creative sessions but mainstream schools feels boxed in. My brother in law sent his kids (my niece & nephew) for overseas education, first Australia, then an international school in China when he got out stationed. I would not know how they fare had they remained here, but now they can play the violin, perform ballet, enjoys tae kwan do, recite 三字经 in perfect Mandarin and do well for exams.
One example on fixation of standardization here, when my niece was very young, she coloured the sky purple and the teacher tried to explain and coax her into colouring it blue. She refused. Now, it seems like spoilt & bad behaviour to some doesn't it? Because she doesn't do as she was told, but when do you decide if it's creativity or defiance? I'm just questioning, is purple a wrong colour for the sky? The sky do look slightly purple on some days, maybe even green if I wan to push my luck. And is the sea blue? But why does some sea looks green? And our waters kopi coloured?
The point is, when to draw the line? Some other kid we know is hyperactive and the teachers called her mum to school and suggest sending the kid for some counseling for behavioural problems. Hubby thinks it's absurd, hyperactivity automatically = ADHD? And the poor kid will get medicated and loses self for easy conditioning in our system.
Before this post delves into some forum letter, I just want to say I have no idea how to bring up a kid in this age. There, I have said it. Maybe it's for the best that we don't have kids, but there's so much more to being a parent then just worrying about the school & educational system right? Like when a child sayang a cat & learn how to love his soft toys like his friend? To respect his elders, to offer you his food because he want to share, to lay his head on your shoulders just because he loves you? It's a great feeling to see a child grow up well with values.
There's no conclusion on the topic on creativity really. Parents, school and system on a whole can stifle or promotes creativity, beliefs, motivation and alot more. But the individual has the ultimate control in the end. I can't say I will turn out better and happier if I had the chance to change my life, my education choices and career choices. I will never know and shall not dwell on the what ifs and maybes. My career choice is not something I will shout about. I enjoyed studying it and I believed in the core values of it, unfortunately, I couldn't fulfill it and I hate the system here. I hate the control, the conformity, the rules and the many red tapes & "higher authorities" that will continue to keep the younger generation "boxed in for their own good".
But I believed that the path I have taken has been nothing else but good for me. I met people who helped me and loved me. Setbacks were for me to learn and whatever decisions I have made or will make, I will bear the consequences and relish in the good or cry in the bad. If I do not want to be boxed, I will make my own rules.
My life is a blessing.
Being able to write like this is a blessing.
I'm having a blast with my iPhone (white)! Happy as a clam! Wanted one since it came out Jan 2009 but it was monopolised by 1 telco (SingTel) and I didn't want to spend money on my phone. Always believed that a cell phone is for texting and calls, now I'm a convert! I have always loved Apple product. Had been using Apple Laptop since 2003! and had a few iPods too. And I had the urge to spend money and buy pretty pretty stuffs!
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