mother knows best

Recently, I had a discussion with this newly acquainted friend of mine and I totally disagree with what we discussed on. Well, I usually adopt an ignorant-don't-bother-much-less with people with a mindset like his (moreover, we are newly acquainted) and so, I let him dwell in his own world after stating my favourite line, "Eventhough I agree to a certain extent of your points but I still beg to differ as individuals; we both have different opinions."

It begun with the discussion on his experience as an art facilitator in A. He shared with me that A uses a method which allows young children to display their thoughts and inner emotions on paper. Instead of suppressing a child's creativity by giving them a set of defined instructions on how to produce a so-called good art, A incorporated the senses of hearing, smelling, sight and touch to enable a child to express him/herself through drawing and coloring.

He told me that any child below the age of 8 should not be forced to imagine or force-feed them with creativity. This will later suppresses the child's power of innovation and indirectly contribute to their failure in achieving a high EQ.

He even said that parents go to A to get their children 'diagnosed' (so to say; it meant that teachers in A would be trained to tell what's the nature of their child through his/her artwork--just like a code decipherer) and the teachers are able to give accurate description of the child's in born nature -- thanks to the method used by A, of course.

He is obviously very proud of A since he went on and on trashing (that is a very lousy business ethic and super uber lousy personality of a person) every other art center as places that stunt (and possibly damage the child for life) the creativity of the child which later on leads to his/her inability to develop/mature mentally. He went to the extent of alleging that these centers have indirectly contributed to the mass churning of Yes-Malaysians (Malaysians who only accept what is given and never question or reason with the higher authority for the fear of consequences).

I was almost on the verge of correcting his thoughts. Well, I do not deny the fact that most Malaysians have that mindset but then again, hey, we have Jimmy Choo, P. Ramlee, Lat, Lim Kok Wing, Loh Kin Sun...and the list goes on. I mean, c'mon, I just have to disagree with his shallow mindset! Early child development is important of course, but then again, an individual grows up and eventually picks up his/her direction and unique characteristics. Art centers or whichsoever early children development may play a role but they are not the ultimate factor that affects the progress of a child in his/her younger years!

He went on to say how grateful parents are to A because A managed to inform them of the character of their children and some parents even ask them for their recommendations in selecting suitable reading materials for them.

Good gracious, centers are not supposed to be the ones that tell the parents on what their children are like! Mothers, they carry the baby in them for the whole 9 months DO NOT need anyone to tell them about their child/ren. She is the one who is supposed to know their children best -- at least before they reach teenagehood and adopt an identity of their own. Then again, a mother will always know best. They are supposed to and if they are unable to, then it is just too bad. It is not a shame but it is just too bad.

What a laughable statement to hear from someone who seemingly knows a lot about children psychology; what he told me made me thought that he is so immersed in his own subject of expertise that he failed to realize other matters. Parents spend more time with their younger children than any art teachers (who probably only come in contact with the child for 1-2 hours, twice a week at maximum). So, who are they to tell the parents if the parents themselves do not even understand their own children? I can only comment that these parents are being insensitive...that's all. Well, everyone is flawed -- and so is he!
(if he stereotypes most Malaysians as being not creative...then what is he? He has children who scored As using the center's method doesn't significantly mean anything--My friends and I scored As during our younger years as well and we did not even attend any mental development related sessions nor was being fed with modified milk powder when we were babies. Having a child studying in an oversea university doesn't at all mean the child is better off due to his guiding method which was based on that of the center, it simply means he can afford to provide them with a better education option! I am a self-taught in art and I am able to draw and design without being 'guided' by methods and still, I am able to reason on my choice of colors...maybe sometimes I do get creative...well...that is debatable so let's not get there..haha...because that's also a reason on why I did not venture into the creative line...geez...A is not any more superior just because parents thought it helps in developing their children' mind)

An artwork, yes, is able to disclose a certain information on a person but NOT entirely. You will need dual-communication and observations to be able to learn more about a person (child/adult). A human is so complex that artwork is just a limited source of information.

Now, to think again, I shouldn't be wasting my time to rant about his shallowness. It's just not worth it.

And by the way...I love my current job...so no thank you for the offer. Those people may hold high positions with good salaries...but that's them.