Empowering children through the children’s visual culture is a fascinating and multifaceted approach to fostering self-efficacy, creativity and critical thinking. A reflection on the potential of visual culture for empowering young minds of our society considers how images, narratives and media can act as a vehicle for empowerment.
Visual culture provides a tangible means for children to comprehend complex concepts. Superhero narratives found in comic books and movies can teach values such as courage, resilience and justice, for example. When children interact with these characters, they can start to view these virtues as achievable and vital to their existence. The depictions associated with such characters often emphasise their power and agency, thus serving as models for children to emulate in terms of confident and positive action.
However, the potential for empowerment through visual culture goes beyond mere consumption. It is vital for children to be both creators and consumers. When encouraged to create their own visual stories using methods such as drawing, painting or digital tools, children are not solely developing their motor skills or expressing their emotions. They are also acquiring the ability to control their environment and project their own voice into the world. Active participation is crucial in visual culture as it transforms children from being passive consumers to active, empowered creators.
Critically, visual culture can reflect diversity and inclusivity. When children see themselves represented in the stories and images they consume it validates their experiences and identities, empowering them. This representation acknowledges their existence and importance within the societal narrative. When a young girl observes a woman scientist in a children’s literature, or when a child from a minority sees a hero who physically resembles them, it confronts the limitations they may unconsciously accept about who they can become.
However, there is a warning: the commercial aspect of children’s visual culture often prioritises profit over empowerment. Therefore, it is crucial to view this field with a sensitive eye. Educators and parents can guide children to engage with visual culture in ways that maximise its empowering potential. This can include discussing the motivations behind certain visual representations or encouraging children to question and analyse the media they consume.
Additionally, teachers can integrate visual culture into the classroom to enhance the learning experience. For example, using a historical film or a science animation can create a more engaging and relatable learning experience. This is not solely about making learning ‘fun’, but about using visual storytelling to enable a deeper understanding and connection with the subject matter.
In my reflective practice, I find that empowering children through visual culture requires a balance. It is about providing them with the tools to decode the images and messages they encounter, as well as the freedom to create and see their own experiences reflected in the visual narratives around them. By embracing these principles, we can foster a generation that is confident in its ability to contribute to and transform the visual culture landscape, ensuring that it is an inclusive, dynamic and empowering space for all.
To reiterate, children’s visual culture isn’t just about the images we present to our young people; it’s about how we teach them to interpret and create those images. If used intentionally and conscientiously, it can be an immensely powerful tool for empowerment.
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Häikiö, T. K. (2018) “Cultural participation for, with and by children – Enhancing children’s agency through art pedagogy, visual knowledge-building and learning”, Nordic Journal of Art & Research, 7(1), p. 19. doi: 10.7577/information.v7i1.2630.
Wilson, B. (2004). Child art after modernism: Visual culture and new narratives. Handbook of research and policy in art education, 299-328.
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