Blog One - Say cheese, click! :) Young Talented Photographers

Date: 18/3/11           Teacher: Mindy

Today, K and M saw me taking pictures with my digital camera and

asked me if they can take pictures too with my camera. Since I was there, I didn't mind. First I showed them the pictures that I had taken of them with my camera. They loved the pictures and were fascinated at what they saw. I  noticed that obviously they were curious as to what I was doing and thus wanted to do the same. 

Being curious at to what they are going to do with the camera and

how the pictures they are about to take are going to end up, I stood near them. I asked, them "Now that you have the camera, what are going to do with it? What are you going to take pictures of?" 

They replied, "You!" and burst into laughter. I laughed too, when I heard that. "Sure you can take pictures of me, anything else?" 

"Ummm" They are thinking hard. "Anything!" 

"Great! Here's the camera, go for it!" I encouraged. 

Our garden's flowers

They took the photo and, being curious as to how the photos would turn out, I followed them. 

M had the camera said “Mindy I’ll take a picture of you first!” I told them where to press to take a picture. After that, I wanted them to decide where the picture should be taken, so I asked them, “Where would you like to take the picture?” K, immediately said, “I know, over there, outside by the garden!”  We went outside and then once I posed for the photo, they clicked away!  “Say cheese Mindy!” said M. Then they walked around the garden, stopped and took some more photos, of their friends, the garden and the worm farm. Then they came to me and I showed them the pictures they took and the other features of the camera.  They passed the camera to each other to have pictures of themselves taken. We even went outside by the grass and trees and they clicked away. "Look!" Said A, "Our shadows!" Then she took a picture. We went back inside and they took more photos. I commented on how they had done a good job! 

The grass by the trees outside

From today, obviously M and K are developing some photography skills. They might have seen their parents or other relatives taking pictures with cameras, and may have used one at home themselves. From noticing their interests, their words and what they were doing with the camera, this shows that they already have some knowledge of how cameras work. They could have learned these ‘photography skills’ at home or elsewhere.

It is important that the children’s skills within their interests such as photography, communication skills and social skills are developed and extended further. They will stay excited and keen learn more. They will thus develop a “perception of themselves as ‘explorers’ – competent, confident learners who ask questions and make discoveries” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.88).  They were so eager and curious to use the camera, so I felt that it was a good opportunity for them to use this technology to help them learn. Their exploration, curiosity and giving things a go are valuable and important ways to learn (Ministry of Education, 1996). 

A saw the shadows!

Why should we let children use technology? Smorti (1999) states that "technology is a creative and purposeful activity aimed at meeting the needs of opportunities through the development of products systems and environments" (p.5).  Children would be able to take this opportunity to capture their learning moments whilst experimenting and developing their skills. 

As a teacher I feel it is important to support, encourage and implement on children’s interests and curiosity. Thus I allow them to explore their environment around them such as the garden, the people such as myself and their friends and the camera to find out more. These are all important to them and their learning. They can they build on this knowledge of the world around them (Allen, 2002).

 A picture S took of me :) 

This is me, it's not very clear, but I wanted the children to explore.

K and M are provided with the necessary opportunities for them to use and build on their interest in digital cameras. This would enhance their learning and thinking further. To extend their interest even further, I would want to provide the children with more opportunities for exploration with the possibility of showing them different brands and types of cameras, books  about cameras, and the possible ways of incorporating cameras in their play, a photoshoot? I would want to encourage them to show the pictures they took to their friends. Also if possible, maybe a professional photographer could come to KKHC and talk to the children about taking photos and features of the camera that he or she uses. The possibilities are endless! 

S about to take a picture! 

Reference List

Allen, P.(2002). Science and Technology in the early childhood setting. Christchurch, New Zealand: User Friendly Resources.

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whãriki: He whãriki mãtauranga mõ ngã mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington: Learning Media.

Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999, 5-10.