REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of City Schools
Santa Rosa City
Aplaya National High School
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Film Review

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME OF STUDENT: Chyrisma C. Alibudbud

Grade and Strand: 11 GAS

SUBMTITED TO:

MR. NOEL C. PELLEJA

Teacher
Heading

Name of Film: Every Child Is Special

Director: Aamir Khan

Genre: Drama

Introduction

The Indian film Taare Zameen Par (Like Stars on Earth) is the story of 8-year-old Ishaan
Awasthi (Darsheel Safary). A failure at school, humiliated by teachers and classmates
for his inability to keep up with his studies, he seeks escape through daydreams and art.

His mother, though sympathetic, doesnt know how to help him. His father, a successful
businessman, is increasingly frustrated by his sons academic problems and applies
pressure to his young son without seeing improvement. His older brother, who loves
and tries to defend Ishaan, nevertheless increases his isolation because he is a high-
achieving and diligent student. Finally, completely exasperated by Ishaan, the father
makes the decision to send him away to boarding school. There, his problems
compounded by his homesickness, Ishaan becomes more and more withdrawn and
depressed.

At this critical juncture, a new figure quite literally bounces into his life substitute art
teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan). This dedicated and creative teacher
energizes his classes, inspiring them to use their imaginations. He notes how subdued
and uninvolved Ishaan is, and finally realizes that dyslexia is the cause of the childs
problems. He teaches a lesson about dyslexia and explains to Ishaans class how many
famous and accomplished people have been dyslexic.

As he tutors Ishaan and meets with his parents, Nikumbh also comes to see the
brilliance and innovation in Ishaans art. Ishaan responds by coming out of his
depressed state and feeling more confident about himself. Nikumbh organizes a
schools arts festival to celebrate talent and imagination, even winning over some of the
more traditional and staid teachers. An interesting parallel to the boarding school is the
local school for children with more severe learning disabilities; Nikumbh is also a part-
time teacher at this school. It provides a look at how even severely handicapped
children can flourish if given appropriate love and support.

Plot Synopsis

Ishaan Awasthi is an eight year-old boy who is suffering from dyslexia, a neurological

disorder. He is having a trouble recognizing letters, can hardly read and write. Letters
and numbers are written invertedly and words are commonly misspelled. He can not

follow multiple instructions and has poor motor skills. Being different from other normal

growing children, he is always thought to be dumb, idiot and lazy. His teachers,

classmates, neighbors and even his own family did not realize what he is going through.

In the boarding school where he was sent to be disciplined, his self confidence was

shattered. He suffered trauma due to separation from his family. His passion for drawing

and painting was totally gone.

Ishaan became so aloof, cold and indifferent from his classmates. This showed that the

concept of trust during his developmental years based on Erik Eriksons of Psycho-

social theory, was not attained and established because of rejection of people around

him.

Until Ram Shankar Nikumbh, a substitute art teacher came to school and able to

recognize his special needs. Ishaans other teachers thought that he has to be dealt in

special education program not to be placed in the mainstream. But, Ram insisted that
even special child has the right to formal and quality education as what the EFA-

Education for All Policy holds. Ram believes that every child has his own capabilities,

desires and pace of learning.

Ram helped Ishaan how to manage deficiencies brought about by being dyslexic. Ram

was able to unveil the potentials of Ishaan by employing educational psychology.

Appropriate intervention measures like constant practice, drills and problem solving

were given to Ishaan. This confirms the theory of operant conditioning by Frederick
Skinner. A person can be trained by presenting a reward or punishment as a

consequence of his actions. Ishaan was stimulated and conditioned to learn because of

the immaterial reward of being accepted, cared, valued and loved by his teacher, Ram.

This specific scene in the movie had causedme to cry in the nth times and realize the

goodness of ones heart.

Ram understood Ishaans mental capacities and innate behavior because he went

through the same experience and struggles being dyslexic during his childhood days.

There should be social consciousness on individual differences. Even Ishaans parents,

teachers and the community were not aware of this particular kind of disorder. The

society plays a vital role in childs development. Thus, it has to be sensitive and

responsive especially for those who have special needs. Criticisms and prejudices

should be discouraged for the child to overcome his difficulties.

As a teacher, I realize that substantial knowledge about Psychology is indispensable

tool in the field of teaching profession. Every learner has its own pace of learning with

different weaknesses. So, the teacher has to be creative in employing teaching

strategies to be able to cater the needs of every learner.

The movie is indeed very good, appropriate and reflective as I journey more years of

being a student.