Exploring the Socio-Emotional Experiences of Talented Child Artistes in Ghana

• In Event: Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Topic - Technology, Media & Child Development

Abstract

Talented children artistes are children who sing, dance, act, talk well among others just as an adult and sometimes better (Schmitt & Goebel, 2015). They tend to stand at par with their adult counterparts in specific domains. They remain children but they are intentionally or unintentionally seen and may sometimes be treated as adults (Ann & Scott, 2018). It continues therefore to remain unclear if children who have become famous are open to the same experiences mentioned and whether their celebrity status is likely to affect them as they grow and develop psychosocially (Plucker & Callahan, 2014). This study explored the lived experiences of children artistes and the effects the experiences they go through has on their development. The study was qualitative in nature underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm which adopted the narrative design approach. A critical case purposeful sampling and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select 4 children artistes and their parents/ guardians. Semi-structured interview guide was used to gather data for analyses. The analyses for the study was theory driven therefore, the study was looked at with the lens of the Life – Span theory propounded by Erik Erikson.
It was found that children may be talented, but it takes encouragement and support from family members to help them develop their talents and to successfully go through developmental stages. Also, it was found that a major hindrance to a child’s development irrespective of their talent, is criticisms from the significant adult or people in their lives. Again, talented children artistes find it difficult combining their roles in private life and the public arena. It was also revealed that parents of talented children artistes find it difficult to manage their children and the fame. Additionally, whatever the talented child does affects the whole family. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the media (television broadcasting companies) who organise such talented shows should offer the children together with their parents/guardians professional counselling and guidance as part of the package since the fame can be telling on their families and personal lives.

Authors

• Patricia Mawusi Amos, University of Education - Winneba (UEW)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Michelle Ankrah, University of Education, Winneba
  Presenting Author