10th
August ‘2012
Reflection on photography
Digital device: Camera
Technology
is serving and solving problems and is also a creative and focused activity
aimed at meeting needs and opportunities through the growth, development of
products, systems or the surroundings (Smorti,1999).
In my centre
children had showed an interest of using camera. This afternoon I was the
outside teacher. I had some children on the mat with some musical instruments.
I looked around for the support teacher to take a photo of the children playing
musical instrument and singing the “paki paki song”. I asked J one of the four
year old if she has seen the support teacher. J replied, “No, teacher I have
not seen her.” I asked J if she could help me to take some photos of the
toddlers using the musical instrument and sing the “paki paki” song. J with no
hesitation replied excitedly,” yes I can take the photos.” As soon as I put on
the music the children who were involved with other engaged activities, left the
things they are doing and ran straight to the mat and joined the music and
dance, clapped using the musical instrument. “Exploring music uses physical
skills which involves feelings and social relationships, and enhances cognitive
development by opening up the opportunities for problem solving skill”
(Gonzalez-Mena, 2008, p.429).
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As the
children were having the music and movement time I asked J If she could now
take the photos of the children on the mat. I showed J how to use the camera of
she had to take a photo. Children experience the environment and develop
responsive and reciprocal relationship in turn-taking and sharing, through
communication (Ministry of Education, 1996). As I was showing her the steps of
using the camera, J told me that the camera looks like a telescope where you
have to see though a small visible, clear glass. I replied, J you are actually
right, but can please take the photos of the children dancing on the “ paki
paki song”. J was so excited to take the photos when I gave her the opportunity
of photographing. Then I went back and joined the children. As I was involved
with the children during the music time I noticed that J was finding it
difficulties in press the flash button. I asked one of the teachers who came
from their lunch break if she could support me for the mat time. My mat time
was taken over by another teacher. I really appreciated the way I was supported
by the staff.
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After that I
asked J “what had happen” “why she could not take the photos?” J told me that
she found it really hard to press the button. I encouraged J that she can do
it. I saw a toddler’s pop- up animal toy on the floor. I asked J if she could
show me how to press hard to see the pop- up animals. At first J tried to press
the pop up animal but could not do it. In the next try I supported J with the
words such as “yes! You have got strong muscles and are nearly four that you
can do it. “Children experience an environment where they are affirmed as
individuals”.
Children also
develop “awareness of their own special strengths, and confidence that are
recognized and valued” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 68). As soon I said
that I saw J jumped with excitement “Look! I did it”. J smiled and gave me a
hug. I told J this is the way you have to press the camera’s button. J replied,
now I can do it. So I asked J if she could take a photo of the children on the
mat dancing. Te Whāriki states “children experience an environment where
they are encourages they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others” (Ministry
of Education, 1996, p.70). “Children experience an environment where they are
kept safe from harm (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.52).
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“Encouragement
is given while a child is doing something to support them to continue it and to
show appreciation of their efforts” (MacNaughton & Williams, 2009, pg. 68).
I noticed that this time J was so confident in pressing the button of the
camera that she did not seek help from any of the teachers. Later in the day I
saw J was bubbling away with my camera and doing some beautiful photography.
We
live in a rich a visually rich environment and children in particular are
surrounded by pictures everywhere! In picture books, photo album, adverts,
television programmes, every aspect of learning about our world and about life
involves pictures.
Photographing
provides children with the opportunities to take their own photos allows them
to control their environment and encourages them to think about their
surroundings and how best to visually communicate their experiences. This also
helps us teachers to discover the images, people, and space that are meaningful
to the children.
At
the end of the day J was really proud to show me all the photos taken by her. I
was amazed to see the beautiful photos taken by J because the photos were only
the pictures of different kinds of plants and at my home centre. I believe
children should be given opportunities to explore and learn about the digital
device such as cameras which are used in our daily lives of the educators in the
early childhood setting.
Referencing
Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Foundations
of early childhood education: Teaching children in a diverse society (3rd
ed.). Boston, United States of America: McGraw Hill.
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo,
M. R. (2006). Understanding children’s creative thought and expression. In Creative thinking and
arts- based learning: Preschool through fourth grade (4th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson Merrill 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: Hē whāriki
mātauranga mō nga
mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington:
Learning
Media.
Smorti, S.
(1999) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.
Kia Ora Zabeen,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your reflection on camera. It was clearly written and well explained. I really liked the way you encouraged and supported child J to take photos for the children at mat time while they were singing and dancing. As a teacher you have helped him how to use the camera when he was finding it difficult to use it. You also showed him how to press the button and gave him the confident that you can do it. Te Whariki says that "children experience an environment where they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others"(Ministry of Education,1996,p.70).From your reflection I have learnt that music enhance the cognitive development through opening the opportunities to problem solving-skills(Gonzalez-Mena,2005).Once again,thanks for your excellent reflection.Tino Pai.
Talofa Zabeen
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your post about children’s learning when used one of the digital technological device (digital camera) at your centre. That is another method of using digital cameras in the centre while having their activities. It is fun to look back after doing activities especially action songs and children watched them singing and dancing. The advantage of digital cameras is video camera also included in one device. We can record video as well, depend on the camera’s memory. I believe that children initiate their developing stories by looking back and reviewing the pictures they took. The digital camera influenced the cognitive skills of the children to re-think back. It also captured their memories and build up their stories from their pictures. It also improves the children’s language skills if they create and exchange different stories developed from their photos. I think that’s why Smorti (1999) stated that, introducing technology is about changing attitudes; this is because with my own experience as an educator, most children in the centres are very curious and willing to explore new things, for example, the new technology devices. Therefore, Zabeen, you are right by mentioning MacNaughton’s (2009), the importance of encouraging children while absorbed in doing something to support their learning like taking pictures and also to show children that their effort is appreciated by teachers in terms of praising them. Tumeke!!
Ka Nui te Pai Zabeen!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading through your reflection about photography and camera's. I agree that the camera has now become almost a necessity in the centre especially for recording and documenting information for learning stories, refelctive entries, wall displays and learning journals or portfolio's. To support documentation, gathering and observing children's learning and development is always helped along with the aid of photo's. It is one of those special things, that as parents we love to see what is going on in the centre and how our children are engaging in all the learning experiences that occur daily. As noted "Documenting can include photographs to analyse children's understandings, dispositions and interests" ( Arthur et al 2008). Pay attention to children's progress and to share children's experiences and/or their learning with others, for example other children, families and whanau, other teachers in the centre. I really enjoyed reading about the learning experience the child had with taking photo's then looking back at the images to pro-voke new interests, thoughts and meanings. This could be a great starting point to examine in more detail to allow children to capture images for storytelling? or take photos for different areas of the centre for example plants, insects, for the science area, or create a poster. I love how this digital device can be implemented to foster children's learning in different curriculum areas. Through exploration "children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them" ( Ministry of Education, 1996. p88). Ka pai for a great choice of technological device and great reflection Zabeen!.
Hi Zabeen,
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection on Camera. Zabeen I loved reading your reflection about this digital technology and its important in early childhood education. Nowadays this technology of Camera d is very common and popular in the early childhood setting and also throughout the world. Children use a variety of technology for different reason as they discover their world (Ministry of Education, 1996). I agree and believe on the points you have written in your reflection. I have also noticed that in my centre that the children love to explore these kinds of digital device. I also believe that children should be exposed to today’s world of technology and learn about different kinds of cameras. It was great to read that that you have responded to the child in a respectful manner and supported her in a positive way. In this learning experience I am agreed and impressed the ways you use to encourage the child about the use of camera when the child was not able to press the camera’s button. “Technology understanding and the uses of materials properties and important to know how and why, things work that way they do (Ministry of Education, 2007). I believe that children develop fine and gross motor skills by pressing the buttons on the camera. . In your reflection on the technology (digital device) you have role modeled the children and showed the child about how to use the camera. Well done, Zabeen, it was outstanding to see in you reflection that with this learning experience you have also supported how things work and demonstrated to the child where they can develop problem –solving and cognitive skills. Technology is solving problems and is also a creative and focused activity aimed at meeting needs and opportunities through the growth, development of products, systems or the surroundings (Smorti,1999). You have put the main points under the pictures which absolutely links to your reflection on digital device. Ka pai Zabeen.