Dear Readers: Many years ago I wrote an article about my experience in a classroom when children were taking "Art Class". The children were about 5 years old, and the teacher had instructions on how her students had to color a hat for a party. She had specific colors she wanted the children to use, and she gave her directions one time during the class. The children also had to color elephants after having seen a movie about these animals. Once the children started coloring their hats and the elephants, the teacher started giving feedback to all of them: Some had not started working, others were already invested in their art project with a lot of effort and motivation. Suddenly, the teacher started commenting on the children's work saying: "You can't color an elephant in pink!". or  "You can't color the hat in black and brown, it would be too ugly! I would never wear a hat that color!" And she went on and on with her critical comments on the art work that the children were completing. After my observation of the Art Class, I recalled a song that my children used to sing in Middle School, and recently I was reminded to the song when I observed a similar situation at a friend's grandchild's school where I went for a special activity. This is why I can put this song in my website now so that parents, educators, and all people can enjoy the strong message of Harry Chapin's words and song that address how rigid educators can be (not just educators...). Here it is. Please, do not hesitate to send me comments on this song. He actually wrote the song after his secretary's son had received a "bad" report card from his teacher stating that her "son beat to a different drum, but not to worry that he would be beating to the group's (and expected) drum by the end of the year". So, I dedicate this article to the parents of children who "beat to a different drum", and I wish I could thank Chapin for this beautiful piece of art. 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/18cwpzZNsjk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>