CARNIVAL capers seem like fun, but there's more to it than meets the eye. The masquerading is an opportunity to reveal secrets that might otherwise remain concealed. Role-playing can open up a new communicative avenue, provided that parents keep their ears open.

Generally, children like to masquerade. "It's part of their nature to investigate different roles," says Eirini Sophianopoulou, curator of the Museum of Children's Emotions. "Younger children enjoy dressing up in their parents' clothes in order to get to know their gender better. Make- believe allows children to experiment and grow."

Usually, the choice of costume signifies a role the children wish to play. "It's not coincidental that young girls enjoy dressing up as pretty princesses, whereas boys favour strong superheroes," says Sophianopoulou. "Society and television reinforce such choices; however, children also use them to probe qualities of their masculinity or femininity."

Unusual choices send messages regarding what a child might be thinking. "A little girl wishing to dress up as Spiderman, unlike her other peers, may have older brothers she wishes to emulate or perhaps she wants to make some other statement," says Sophianopoulou. "Communication is important. We need to ask our children what it is that attracts them to a certain role in order to find out how they think."

Sophianopoulou believes that children who merely get handed down carnival costumes are missing out on the freedom of expression that choosing a costume provides. "It's the one time of the year that children have the absolute freedom to dress up in glitter and tinsel and experiment with a style that may otherwise be prohibited," she says.

The choice of carnival costume can signify the role a child wants to play in real life

For his part, primary school teacher George Drassas believes that children should not be given total freedom.

"They may initially be drawn to 'all that glitters', but a discussion can lead them to negotiate their desires and take other considerations into account," he says. "For instance, why should children be given the freedom to select an outrageously expensive costume or something that parents do not approve of? Once again, children should learn to negotiate. It is important for them to learn that all that glitters is not gold, as well as how to economise and be moderate."

He says that during school masquerades he is rarely surprised by the choices children make. "Interests shown during class time forcefully come across in carnival costume choices," he says. "Often, we see costumes that signify a sign of the times, with TV marketing coming through. Older children, at the ages of 11 or 12 and upwards, may choose costumes that portray an image of what they secretly wish to be."

Every year, schools around Greece succumb to the carnival spirit and host fancy dress events. "Apart from the evident fun, the whole process is a social opportunity that allows children to bond, as well as to interpret society around them in a more innovative way," says Drassas. "It's an opportunity to discuss and build character. With appropriate discussion, pretend play can facilitate greater social competence."

Carnival events around the city are abundant, from parties to parades. At the Foundation of the Hellenic World, carnival time is celebrated differently each year.

"We intend to focus on the history of masquerading - from Greek antiquity to today," says museum educator Maria Grigoropoulou. "Creativity can be enhanced through better understanding of the events of history. Children will also be guided in making their own costume."

Grigoropoulou points out that the more children are shown alternative presentations of carnival events that explore the festivities and reasons for them, the less influenced youngsters will be by marketing.

"Imagination is crucial to carnival time," she points out.

Source : Athens News