How many of us have seen some unsightly graffiti at our local or even not so local train stations? I remember the last time my late grandmother came to visit, she was surprised at the numerous graffiti that “decorated” the walls outside of train stations, some shop walls and sometimes even the neighbourhood brick fences. I wasn’t so surprised, and at times, there is the odd graffiti that actually did look good, pity it wasn’t something that was commissioned. For someone who came from Singapore, especially someone like my grandmother who wasn’t exposed to such liberal fancies, it would be a total culture shock. If you haven’t been there, let me explain why. It’s CLEAN – as in STERILE clean. While that can be good in a way, sometimes I think it is a tad bit too sterile.
One station in Melbourne has decided to make a change to all the unsightly graffiti that we see around the train station areas. If you ever got the chance to check out the underpass over at Bentleigh’s Patterson station, be sure to stop and actually take in all the lovely colours and textures that adorn the walls. Thanks to local artist and mosaic expert, Pamela Irving, Bostik and more than 750 local and international community groups, the underpass is now decorated with beautiful, artistic and colourful mosaic creations. If you looked closely, you might even spot a few celeb faces on the mural! There’s Barack Obama, Julia Gillard and you wouldn’t be able to miss the Luna Park face amongst the 550 creations.
Stationary Faces over at Patterson Station
The mural named, “Stationary Faces”, that took around 18 months to create, was revealed last Sunday, the 4th March 2012. At the “revealing” ceremony, The Zamponistas graced the ceremony with lovely folk style music, blowing their wooden flutes (I’m sure there’s a more technical name for it) and banging their drums in their colourful costumes to match the colourful mural. Even they had a hand in creating some of the mosaics that were featured on the wall!
I thought this was a great idea not only to spruce up an otherwise dull environment but a great way for the community to band and work together to beautify their area. Maybe other areas in Melbourne could do the same, not necessarily with mosaics, but even graffiti can look beautiful when done nicely and not just random tags. A great way to keep young fingers and hands busy doing a good thing!
We’ve heard about the outrage against Bratz dolls a few years back, now, Monster High Dolls, are hitting the shelves AND flying off it like crazy. My girls adore them, me, well, some of them do look a bit scary, but the ones they’ve bought with their own pocket money, looked pretty harmless to me. The girls adore this range of dolls compared to Barbie. When asked why, they replied that Barbie is just too girly, too much pink. They used to love Bratz dolls as well. Yes, to some parents those dolls seemed to look a bit too sexualised, too much make-up, etc. The girls honestly, didn’t see that at all. They just saw the Bratz dolls as being fun to dress up and – different. Yes I let them watch the videos, which to me were harmless, just about girls setting up a magazine, going against the evil Burdine, a rival magazine owner. It was more about being nice to everyone, coming up with different ideas and strategies, showing people they can have fun with fashion and still be smart. Is that wrong?
Now, my girls do love experimenting with make-up. Mine mostly – behind my back. Tell me though, which girls don’t? Does that mean it was the dolls influencing them – NO. They just love playing around with the colours, experimenting – because they see their mum wearing make-up. I did that when I was younger, and no, I didn’t have any Barbie dolls(or anything similar) until much later. Sure the Bratz dolls were dressed a bit risqué at times, but know what my girls did? They made sure the dolls were wearing pants with the too-short dresses the dolls had on. Why? Because they knew themselves the dresses were too short, it was inappropriate, and so they made it more appropriate.
Miss 9 was goggling for some Monster High news the other day and stumbled upon this:
Miss 9 was devastated. She was insulted that the lady being interviewed gave such harsh remarks on the dolls she so loved. So I went ahead and listened to what this mum had to say. Honestly, even I thought she was a bit harsh.
I then asked my girls what was about the dolls that appealed to them. Their responses:
they look different
love how friendly they are (from the videos on the websites)
When asked if it makes them cool to have these dolls, they replied no. They just loved the dolls. Deep down inside I think to the girls these dolls represented the “underdog”. Although they might not know it? That’s my perception anyway.
That’s Laguna Blue- Miss 9 dressed her up in the long shorts that the doll came with, underneath the short dress to make it into a top instead.
That’s the “class overview” that came with the doll. It’s a fun play on words with the different topics the dolls learn at school. “Science” nonetheless.
Some little extra notes included by “Laguna Blue”.
My opinion on them? I still can’t see any harm in these dolls. Are they sexualised? Ummm..really, do you think kids see or know what being sexualised is if they were not told what it was? My girls just see these dolls as being DOLLS. That is it. The love the funky clothes, of which some were a tad bit short, but they dressed them up as tops instead of dresses. Do my girls try to dress like them? Sort of – in that they wear a dress with leggings, or in Miss 8′s case, she wore a top, skirt and leggings to dress like her favourite doll Frankiestein. And no, she doesn’t wear make-up even if the dolls do. The girls were confused as to what a “Pole Dancer” was. Why? Because they’ve never seen one! Oh and that pole that lady was talking about…well, that’s actually a stand – even I knew that. I’m not upset at the comments the mum made. Maybe she’s right, but to me, I hate it when people blame dolls for influencing how or what our children think of themselves. When I was finally given a Barbie doll by a friend of my parents when I was about 8, my initial thought was – wow, lovely dress and you know what I started doing then? I started drawing different costumes for her. So does that make me – who dreamed of being a fashion designer at such a young age – shallow? If so, then all fashion designers are regarded as such too? Or are they creative artists?
Besides playing with these dolls, my girls also draw pictures of the dolls. That is art. They also create different characters on their own. Again, that is creativity. I guess really, it’s how you influence your child. How you educate them. Sure the dolls (any dolls for that matter) can somehow shape the child’s thinking, but like television and the online world and everything else around them it’s up to US as parents to educate them!
uDraw GameTablet & uDraw Studio Bundle. Pictionary & Dood's Big Adventure
As promised from yesterday’s post, here’s my review of the uDraw GameTablet from Wii. I got the chance to trial the uDraw, which comes bundled with the uDraw Studio software – a drawing, colouring and art-based program. For those of you who haven’t heard of uDraw, it’s a GameTablet that combines a handheld drawing pad and pressure-sensitive stylus to provide a drawing surface that can be used to create pieces of artwork, keep minds active and play games. Included with my trial were two other games “Pictionary” and “Dood’s Big Adventure“. According to THQ Asia Pacific Managing Director, Rodney Block, “uDraw fosters creative expression and freedom, with the ability to bring family and friends together”. So, like with most new technology that’s on offer out there, I was really keen on having a go at using this new device.
It is easy enough to put pen to paper and see what you’ve written automatically (unless of course you’ve run out of ink), with the tablet though, you’ve got to get used to the idea of looking at the television screen and writing on the tablet. So, some hand eye co-ordination is needed here. On the plus side, kids can also practice on their pencil grip whilst playing, which is great for Master 5 who has just started school and as I’ve recently found out, is lacking a little bit in the confidence department when it came to writing.
uDraw Studio
This featured a myriad of tools for the kids to choose from, there were more than nine painting and drawing media to allow them to draw simple lines with a pen. You could also add character with the airbrush tool or chalk. There’s also the “paint fill” tool that allows you to fill in the areas with the colour of their choice. Speaking of which, there were so many choices of colours, textures and surfaces, which is great for those who love to experiment with different hues, textures and environments. There’s also soothing music that plays in the background whilst you draw or colour, which according to Justin from yesterday’s post, fosters positive feelings. If your child is not into drawing, there are also images that they can choose to colour from the program that acts like a virtual colouring book.
uDraw Studio (using the paint-fill tool to fill in the colouring page)
This software reminded me a little bit of Photoshop on the computer, but the difference I guess is the fact that you’re using a pen like tool (the stylus) to draw. I still prefer the real deal when it comes to art – as in using real tools for painting, colouring and adding texture. But, this is a great software to have to encourage creativity instead of having them sit in front of the television or play games that really don’t teach them much.
Pictionary
I love love love this game! It’s the same deal with the original non technological kind, but the upside is, you save on paper. There are over 3000 clues to choose from and two levels – Adult and Junior. With three modes of play – Pictionary, Pictionary Mania and Free Draw, you can create endless fun with this program! There are also a number of drawing tools you can use to create your masterpieces and all to be solved within a limited amount of time. If you’re into something more challenging, then Pictionary Mania is definitely for you. It’s challenging when you have to concentrate on drawing your clue under different rules. For instance, the instructions might tell you to draw your clue in the One Line mode. This requires you to draw your clue in one continuous line WITHOUT lifting up your stylus off the board! TRICKY!! Or, drawing whilst the image on the screen rotates in Rotation Frustration. My kids loved this game too, and it’s pretty funny seeing what they come up with from the clues they get!
Dood’s Big Adventure
Another game I actually enjoyed. There are 60 levels of fun with 4 different game modes – Pen Panic, Roly Poly, Bubble Trouble and Fan Frenzy. The aim is to get Dood to the finish line, with the different tools provided. In Pen Panic, you have to use your stylus to draw lines and create a trampoline for Dood to bounce off to get to his destination, whilst avoiding the his enemies. In Roly Poly, you use the tablet to roll, Dood through each level by tilting the tablet left or right. Bubble Trouble sees Dood in a bubble and using the stylus, we have to lead Dood through to the next level, avoiding all the bumps, sharp surfaces and enemies – TRICKY! For Fan Frenzy, like what the name states, the stylus acts like a fan. The aim is to “blow” and move Dood, who has been inflated like a balloon, around to the different levels. There’s also a Paint Dood, where you can personalise your “Dood”, the baddies, obstacles and much more!
Dood's Big Adventure (Pen Panic)
The thing I loved about this game is the fact that you actually have to think and strategise the best way to get Dood moving, in each of the four modes. You will have to experiment with the length of line and direction of line to draw in Pen Panic, in order to get him moving. Each of the modes also have a chance for you to score bonus points by getting him to the end of that level before the bonus points run out! Master 5 loved this game and yes, so did I. I found him advising (ok telling me) which direction to draw the lines in or what to do or how to get to another spot without getting “injured”, and this was the first time ever that he’s actually seen the game. A definite must if you want your child to develop their lateral thinking.
There’s one new game on the market, Spongebob Squigglepants, I know this is something Miss 9 would love as she is a HUGE fan of Spongebob. I guess we’ll just have to wait for Christmas or her birthday to get her this. Too bad we had to return the uDraw GameTablet, this could probably be next on the birthday list – for me? Oh and a word of advice, try not to play with it for too long at a time – I got writer’s cramp from playing with it! This is where the discussion about time limit should come in.
Details
The uDraw GameTablet is available at all major retailers.It retails for $119.95, which comes bundled with the uDraw Studio software. The individual games retail for $59.95 each.
Imaginative play to me is an essential part of a child’s development. It encourages the child’s creativity, especially when it comes to using the different toys and equipment as props that we adults would sometimes never think of! It also developes a child’s sense of imagination, when they create different “worlds” or scenarios with their toys and props. Imaginative play can start at a very young age, but when should they stop or should they even stop at all?
My children love imaginative play, ok, so they LOVE toys, can’t get enough of them. The eldest will turn 8 early next year and the second one is 6. I don’t mind them getting (birthday presents from me) or buying (with their pocket money) toys like dolls, littlest pet shop, etc. To me, it encourages their imagination in forming the different worlds, and I also have a view of how they view the world too, through the language they use. I have a few family members however who have a varying view on this. To them, because the girls are in primary school, they should be playing “teachers”, doing writing, playing computer games and these imaginative play are considered childish. Of course being the person I am – I ignore those comments. They are after all my children and under MY care. But, what do you think? Should there be a limit to imaginative play? And this includes dressing up, and playing pretend too. What are your views? Share your thoughts with us.
