Here's Why This Mom Respectfully Asks Not To Violate Kids' Artworks Even With Positive Marks

There was a point in our lives that we only had one goal: to get that “five stars” from our teacher. It meant the whole world for us because we knew we did a good job!

We proudly show the “stamp of good job” to our friends and parents, beaming with pride and confidence.

As parents, we unconsciously pass this on to our kids. “Do this so you can get the fiver stars!” “If you don’t do this, you won’t have stars.”

Although it’s seemingly harmless, a mom pointed out a new perspective regarding “stars” and check mark on kids’ artworks in school:

Joselle Therese Ona, a member of Smart Parenting Mom Squad shared her thoughts in Smart Parenting Village, a parenting community where new perspectives like these are highly welcome.

Though her post sparked differing opinions, she clearly stated that in no way she’s bashing other educators and teachers, as an educator herself.

The discussion in her post garnered two sides of a coin–one side agreeing with her and the other side explaining the rationale behind the “stars” and check mark. 

Why No Stars (In the Middle)

As what Joselle shared, she wasn’t advocating for a 100% no stars and check at all. She just wanted to keep her child’s artwork intact, without other marks. She suggested that the stars and check marks can be placed at the far end of the paper, at the upper right corner, or at the back. 

“If there’s a need to transcribe and write down children’s descriptions of the drawings, it is always best to jot them down at the back of the page,” she shared. 

And her main point, “Let’s make it a habit to value children's work. It’s their work, it has to be respected. Process over product.”

'Let’s make it a habit to value children's work. It’s their work, it has to be respected. Process over product.' –Joselle Ona on why kids artworks shouldn't be violated

Many moms agreed with her, as they finally realized why some teachers put their “stars” and “check” at the back of the paper. 

“Now I see why my kids’ Montessori teachers mark their work in the back! Makes sense! They do spend hours making these works!” said Duday Camus-Dancel.

Khrizel Manalang joined the discussion and even edited the artwork Joselle posted! She said, “As a new mom. I can relate. Very precious lahat ng milestones ng anak natin kaya hangga’t maaari, I take videos and photos. I edited the image of your daughter's artwork so you have a better copy!”

Myrna Villanueva Tinio also chimed in, “Oo nga, pwede naman nasa gilid or sa likod yung check at yung stamp ni teacher. Gets ko si mommy na hindi naman niya bina-bash si teacher, more of nagbibigay lang ng ibang perspective sa ating mga parents na ang mga bata, may thoughts din sila na mainam natin mapakinggan at respetuhin.

"Pag naging open tayo sa ganun, hanggang pagtanda ng kids mas may tiwala sila mag-open ng thoughts and ideas nila sa atin. Based on experience po yan,” she said.

Some Moms also shared that as kids, they felt bad about having stars in the middle of their artwork. 

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Why Some Parents Are For Stars On The Artwork

On the flip side, some moms said that it’s okay for them to have big stars and check marks in the middle of their child’s art work, as long as their child is happy about it. 

“Diba po mas matutuwa ang kids pag may stars silang nakuha? Para po sa kids yung remarks mamsh, mas mahalaga po yung mararamdaman ng baby mo upon receiving a very good star. Pwede pa din naman po syang ilagay sa ref. Hindi nakakabawas ng value ng drawing,” Xenie Dela Cruz-Gabriel pointed out. 

Marj Delos Santos-Rosales also shared, “Yung anak ko naman mas natutuwa kapag may stars siyang nakuha sa school. They are kids, kung saan po sila masaya support lang natin sila.”

'Yung anak ko naman mas natutuwa kapag may stars siyang nakuha sa school. They are kids, kung saan po sila masaya support lang natin sila.' –Marj Delos Santos-Rosales on her kids' artworks

Sarah Andres Aterrado, shared her own experience as a kid as a striking balance between the differing opinions, “When I was a kid, mas gusto ko yung kitang kita ang star or "very good" or "excellent" na remark sa artworks ko from school. The more visible, the better. The ones I do at home, yung hindi graded, yun yung dinisisplay ng Papa ko sa wall.

"What I'm trying to say is, hindi po yata applicable yung post sa lahat ng bata/situations," she adds.

Teachers' Take

Some teachers also joined the discussion and shared their perspective as educators. Sheryl Palacio said, “As a teacher po, dahil po it’s school activity, mas gusto ko po na sa harapan ang star para makita ng bata at magulang agad, dahil kapag sa likod pa po babaliktarin pa ang paper to see the mark.

She adds, "Kung nais po na ipa-frame ang gawa, better magrequest ang parent sa teacher na next time na magpa-drawing ulit kung pwede sa likod na lang ang mark and it should be drawn in special paper like oslo paper etc.”

Not an Issue about Stars

Although it seems like the biggest issue is whether to put stars or not, or where to put it in a child’s art work, it’s not the main issue. 

What if the marks put on the child’s work are lesser stars than desired or failing marks?

Janelle Suarez Crisostomo, shared her own experience, “Oh boy, this brings back memories. When I was 7, I put in a lot of effort into a drawing which I was sure would get a good mark only for it to come back to me with red ink saying 'Who drew this for you?' along with some other accusatory remarks. That incident was one of the triggers for my lack of motivation in school. 

She adds, "I surely hope educators now have become more sensitive when it comes to desecrating children's hard work. While in OP's case, her kid received a positive remark, what about the other kids who received a less than stellar remark?”

Though we are happy and proud to have stars and big check marks in our child’s work, what will we feel if the ones they receive is like that of Janelle’s? Even if it is her own art work, the teacher doubted if it was really her work and even wrote accusatory remarks on the art work itself. 

As Joselle pointed out in one of the comments, stars and check marks are extrinsic in nature. If they receive good marks, they will be encouraged to do it again. But what if they receive not so good marks? There’s a possibility that the child will be demotivated and will think that he’s not capable of doing his best.

Though receiving good and bad marks is normal, continuously amplifying it (such as the marks in the middle or Janelle’s experience), can have different effects in the child’s confidence. 

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Children are building up their own confidence, and it is within our influence to make it or break it. 

Myra Villanueva Tinio shared her own experience with her kids, as an evidence that our respect for our kids is important, “I have a grade 7 boy (at isang grade 3 na girl) and typically talaga mahirap sila mag-open up sa parents sa ganyang age. But since they were young pinaramdam namin sa kanila na through little daily things eh we value them and what they do, what they say, what they think about, ngayon he's returning the favor (consciously or unconsciously I don't know, hehe) he values our thoughts.

"And we're also happy putting them in a school that has the same belief - respect for every child and giving them intrinsic motivation. It really does go a long way! As an early childhood educator myself I see a lot of practices na 'nakagawian' na akala ng adults maliit na bagay lang, pero may impact pa rin sa paglaki ng mga bata.”

Whether stars are on the paper or not, what’s important to remember is that though they are young, children are their own persons. Adults around them, like parents and teachers need to realize that children also need respect in order to build up their confidence. Not just with artworks, but also for everything they say and do.