HALF ART
CHRIS THURMAN: Holiday spread to stimulate children’s appetites
SA’s panto queen Janice Honeyman has developed a unique subgenre that still manages to surprise — Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is no exception, writes Chris Thurman
One of the consequences of the "maths and science" mantra so often invoked in conversations about education nowadays is the ill-informed notion that the arts are an indulgence rather than a vital part of the curriculum at primary and high school level. What used to be perceived as competing left-brain and right-brain activities or subjects are now recognised by educationists and neuroscientists alike as complementary — or, to phrase it more strongly, as mutually dependent. There is, however, a risk attached to advocacy for the central place of the arts in childhood and adolescent development. Once they are embraced as a necessary aspect of early learning, a false corollary emerges: if art and creativity are associated with youth, then (the false logic suggests) we "grow out of" them as we become adults. Many parents think of theatre, for instance, as something that is good for their children but not as something they have the time or inclination to pursue for themselves.This poses a...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.