The Right Brainer

More than often, schools have the tendency to favour left brains modes of thinking and as a consequent downplaying right-brain ones. A distinction between the two lobes can be made. The left brainer is more prone to analysis and accuracy while the right brainer dwells in the aesthetics, feelings and creativity. As such, as parents, Din and myself propel towards developing a whole-brained orientation in Maryam. As the local school system does not give enough weight to arts and creativity which taps onto a child's skills of imagination, we enroled Maryam for an art class with The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. We recognised her flair for the arts during her tod years and decided to tap on it quick before it's crippled by the sterile education system which most of the time focuses solely on the academics. Give her a drawing paper or even the back of a receipt, Maryam's creative energy will just flow effortlessly. Well, Din and I had a pleasant surprise when we sent her to NAFA yesterday. Maryam's painting is on display at NAFA. Like any parents, we are proud of our daughter's passion and achievement. Oh, we could just cry! Do we want her to be the next Picasso? No. Or maybe the next Claude Monet? No. Or even the famous (& mentally disturbed) Van Gogh? Not at all. We want Maryam to find inspiration in these legendary artists but not to emulate them. We want Maryam to be Maryam, attaining a unique style and sense of individualism in her paintings. All we do is to show her the ropes and the possible paths to take...she may eventually discover a path which best suits her needs and fulfill her desires. It's really up to her. No boundaries, baby!