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by Mike Nowell

The children in the Oldest Group are at a unique age of physical, emotional and social development. The changes occurring in their preadolescent bodies may be fueling waves of self-consciousness just as their psyches are delivering the urgent message that they "fit in." From this rocky emotional platform, these young children are also beginning to move away from the family as the primary influence in their lives, being asked to try on more adult roles in taking greater responsibility for themselves and make more decisions about their personal lives.

It is this confluence of the overwhelming drive to belong and heightened awareness of their bodies teamed with their untested decision-making skills that will make them a primary target market for the next decade of their lives. Eliza and I hosted a discussion aimed at exploring the concept of body image (and unstacking the profit-making deck against them).

We began with a reflection on the word "IMAGE," ranging from the abstract through the concrete and into its meaning in popular culture.We discussed how advertisers use "fitting in" or being popular to market everything from toys to clothing before exploring what the children saw as the current physical and socioeconomic ideals represented in commercial media.

We noted the influences of genetics, diet and exercise on body type then looked at how advertisers influence our thinking when they send the message that something is wrong with us that their product can fix.We discussed the measures individuals may take to try to meet the current physical ideals, from makeup and exercise to plastic surgery and purging. A quick slideshow comparing magazine pictures of celebrities with candid shots not only revealed the degree to which makeup and attire shaped their public images, but also allowed us to note the dramatic changes made through photo retouching.

By beginning to explore the ways in which popular media and commerce can influence their self-image, Eliza and I hope to lay a foundation for these children (to continue) to feel comfortable with their bodies, to make realistic and informed decisions about shaping their appearances, and for weathering the marketers that are looking to empty their piggybanks. Our work will continue.

(Editor's Note: Oldest Group students have one and a half hours of Sports/Health instruction every week with Mike and Eliza. In addition to learning about offensive and defensive strategies and how to be a team player, there is a deeper social and emotional component to the curriculum. Mike and Eliza lead discussions about topics such as peer pressure, body image, human development, and making healthy decisions. The preceding piece illustrates a recent discussion.)