Looking Through the Lens!
Looking Through the Lens!
9/8/12
Children
are always fascinated with cameras and often start pulling faces and poses when
one is aimed at them. But when they are given the opportunity to use a digital
camera they are able to explore the world around them through a different lens.
Digital
cameras are a camera that takes videos and/or still photographs (Wikipedia,
2012). Within the centre digital cameras are a very useful piece of technology.
Teachers are able to document children's learning, parents are able to see what
their children are doing in the centre and children are able to explore and
revisit their interests.
My
centre has two cameras for the children, one for the preschool children and one
for the younger toddlers. The teachers also have cameras which we use to
document children's learning and different events that happen within and
outside the centre. This allows every child to have the opportunity to explore
the resource within their own time and with their peers (Ministry of Education,
1996).
The
preschool children are able to use their camera without supervision as our
centre believes that they are ‘capable and confident learners’ that have the
skills to use the camera safely and appropriately. “Te Whāriki states that in
order to participate in this world, our children will need the confidence to
develop their own perspective as well as the capacity to continue acquiring new
knowledge and skills” (Smorti, 1999). By allowing children freedom and control
over the digital camera they are able to feel valued and have a ‘sense of worth
and pride’ for themselves. Children are also able to have a sense of
responsibility and control of their own learning (Bronwyn, Baker, Ellis,
Bernstone, Hagan, 2010; Ministry of Education, 1996). However the younger toddlers
are supervised and guided more than the preschoolers. This is because for some
of the children it is their first time they have used a digital camera and the
teachers or the older children can teach or scaffold them through the process
of using and respecting the resource (MacNaughton & Williams, 2009).
Today
a preschool child and I were packing the outdoor area. As it was the afternoon
the sun was setting and was creating shadows and different shaped lights
through the climbing frames and boxes. “Wow look at that Ngaire” she said to me “That looks
really special, can I take a photo”. This comment blew me away as
she had obviously found something that fascinated her and instantly made a
connection with taking a photo so that her interest and image of the shadow can
be captured. We went inside to get the camera and she began taking photos of
the shadows and the different shapes the lights made as it came through the
gaps in the boxes. She was very fascinated with the shadows from the boxes and
then through the lens she noticed her shadow and began to capture her shadow. After
she had finished taking her photos she came back and reported to me what she
had taken. Together we scrolled through the photos as she proudly explained
what she has captured. After this experience I asked the child if I could use
her photos in my assignment for school, she replied “For your homework, are you going to put it
on the ‘pu-ter’ (computer)”.
From
this experience I was blown away by how much this child knew about using camera’s
and the creative perspective and knowledge she had when capturing her images.
This child was able to recall information from previous experiences and bring
it into the centre and confidently share with me (Talay-Ongan, & Ap, 2005).
The child was able to capture something that she felt was special and with the
use of digital technology she is able to keep this memory and reflect or
revisit at a later date. Throughout this and many other experiences I can see
my role is to encourage the use of different technologies and allow children to
freely explore technology with my guidance if needed.
Interesting links to help children use
digital cameras:
J 13
Lessons to Teach Your Child About Digital Photography
Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/13-lessons-to-teach-your-child-about-digital-photography#ixzz22WlIZ5sU
Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/13-lessons-to-teach-your-child-about-digital-photography#ixzz22WlIZ5sU
J
Introduce
your kids to digital photography
J The
value of kids' digital cameras
Read more: http://www.chiff.com/art/photo/kids.htm
Reference List
Bronwyn, G.,
Baker, K., Ellis, R., Bernstone, H., & Hagan, B. (2010). Inclusion at
Botany Downs Kindergarten centre of innovation 2006-2008. Wellington, New
Zealand: Ministry of Education.
Google. (2012). Digital camera children. Images retrieved from: https://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&tok=JqUngTGVUUrnBEgoOR14kQ&cp=11&gs_id=16&xhr=t&q=digital+camera&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=677&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Q70gUITlHuyNiAfp84HoCw#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=digital+camera+children&oq=digital+camera+chi&gs_l=img.3.0.0i24l10.1917.2794.0.5179.4.4.0.0.0.0.388.1445.2-1j3.4.0...0.0...1c.OSxdQlmbId8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=d7840d0baae8c5d1&biw=1366&bih=677
MacNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children: Choices in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forrest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Prentice Hall.
MacNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children: Choices in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forrest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te
Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in
Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E.A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Victoria, Australia:
Thompson Social Science Press
Wikipedia. (2012). Digital Camera.
Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera
Wow Ngaire that is such a great blog, I just love how the little girl took the photos and how she was able to express herself in a creative way. I enjoy watching children take photos and looking at what they took. You have given some great information about children using cameras, this is very helpful to take back to my centre as we do not allow the children to use cameras as often as I think we should. I can see form your blog just how much learning they can get from the experience. Have you ever thought about making a folder with each child’s photos kind of like their portfolios but just with pictures they have taken, this way they are able to share their learning and skills with their friends. Revisiting their learning is a great way to catch children’s voices and they always have something new to say about their learning every time they look at it.
ReplyDeleteHi Ngarie, Wow I really enjoyed reading about the experience the young child had when she came up to you and asked if she could take a photo of the light and shadows coming through your outdoor resources and how she expressed them as looking very special. That was so interesting to me. I feel that you strongly supported the child’s interest and learning by going inside and getting the camera straight away and I can see that you were able to meet the needs of that child.
ReplyDeleteI like how your preschool children can use the digital camera as they please and take charge of their own learning when using technology. I wonder how your younger children would get on if you allowed them to do the same. I personally feel that when children are given responsibilities for example looking after the digital camera they are more likely to look after other resources around them. I enjoyed looking at your link about 13 lessons to teach your child about digital photography I have printed it off and will use them in my centre, Thanks!
Hi Ngaire,
ReplyDeleteI love the experience that you had with the child, who took an interest in looking at the different shapes and shadows. I thought it was great that you facilitated the child’s interest, by going to look for the camera, so she could take photos. These photos definitely have captured her creativity and point of view.
I think that it is awesome that your centre has cameras available specifically for the children to use. I think this is so beneficial for the children, as they are able to take control of their own learning, while learning about being responsible, as they need to make sure the camera is looked after.
It would also be interesting to look at the children's photos that they have taken, and be able to see the child's point of view in the environment, and what they have focused on in the photos. Maybe the children could make their own scrapbooks with some of the photos that they have taken around the centre?
Well done :)
Bulla Vinaka Ngaire,
ReplyDeleteThis was a cool blog. Personally I was really surprised to hear that your pre school children were able to freely use the camera as they please. Through Te whariki this would be the right thing to do. They are able to develop their skkills for sharing, team worl and responsibility. It amazes me how different centres have complete different interpretations of children being 'capable and competent learners'. Within my centre i can't imagine the children freely having access to the camera but I wish that this was an option. I love how the child was able to make past reflections and feel confident in sharing with you. I love hearing past reflections especially if I was involved and being able to see how clearly the child remembers it.
Heres a cool site that you could check out to persue the interest of the camera. It's about using photos for craft work. ENJOY.
http://www.squidoo.com/camera-activities-for-kids#module156639287