Why is the theory of Developmentalism, which separates childhood from adulthood so appealing to art educators, teachers and adults in general?

ART 2648: Experience Art

Reading Response #2  (6% of total grade)

1. What does Paul Duncum means when he indicates that, “Nowadays children seem to be well ahead of their years.”
2. What images of children and childhood does Duncum present us with?
3. Why is Duncum claiming that educators of today experience emotional confusion and cognitive dissonance when dealing with the complex realities of children?
4. How does Duncum differentiate between children and childhood?
5. Why does Duncum ask us to challenge the myth of childhood and modernist conception of childhood?
6. What is the difference between modernist theory and postmodernist theory in the characterization of children and childhood?
7. After reading the chapter, collect four images of children from the popular media that reflect or reinforce different conceptions of childhood outlined by Duncum and attach them here or on the back of this page.
8. Briefly describe how each image reflects or reinforces different conceptions of childhood outlined by Duncum
9. What historical antecedents or well-established precedence exist to support contemporary and postmodern view of children as inhabiting multiple and conflicting social space such as in education, health, war, international trade, labor market, and crime including prostitution? Provide four (4) examples with evidence from the chapter.
10. What conception of childhood and education exist among developmental theorists according to Duncum?
11. What does Duncum suggest that is contrary to popular long-held beliefs about children?
12. Why is the theory of Developmentalism, which separates childhood from adulthood so appealing to art educators, teachers and adults in general?
13. Describe Freud’s concept of childhood and adulthood that was popularized during the 19^th century?
14. Provide two reasons why adults tend to repress the childlike qualities (i.e., wonder, awe, spontaneity, and playfulness) in them.
15. From your perspective, what characteristics of childhood could/should we retain as adults and teachers of children? Why is it important?
16. Provide two examples in the reading to show how existing social institutions construct and define childhood in Western societies. What images of childhood do you think are most frequently held in the elementary classroom?
17. Why is it that despite the contradictions of childhood revealed in postmodern discourse, childhood continues to embody optimism and social goodwill?

For questions 18 and 19 use your own words to explain briefly the four (4) suggestions from the author to teachers, art educators and adults in dealing with children in school and at home

18. Explain two suggestions teachers need to do in the classroom (see above).
19. Explain two other suggestions teachers need to do in the classroom (see above).
20. What kind of images does he suggest for teachers to use and why?