So Far yet so close with cameras.
Children grow up in an environment which is surrounded by
technology everywhere. Child A has moved to New Zealand from Kenya. To help him
adjust to his new surroundings and new friends I have encouraged him to take
lots of pictures of his new school, new friends and teachers to share with his
friends back in Kenya. Digital photography is a great social activity tool and
has allowed child A to interact confidently with his new friends. He has also
gained a sense of belonging because he has been a part in displaying pictures
of himself and his family in our Whānau corner. The camera has opened up a whole new world of
creativity and comfort for him.
I feel very privileged to have worked alongside child A
because I have managed to help him settle in his new school environment and be
able to share his experiences with his family and friends who are still in
Kenya. I also realised that he has a natural skill to photography because the
photo’s he had taken on his own were of such great quality. His parents have
also become a great part of his creativity. Every afternoon he has a new moment
to share with them. His mum has developed some of the photos and together with
child A are going to put a photo album together for his Grandma in Kenya.
Through the exciting
and vibrant medium of digital photography I have discovered that children are
motivated to be life-long learners as they are taught to be skilled users of
digital media (Ministry of Education, 1996). Cameras give children ownership of
their creative projects, helping them develop language and communication
skills; solve problems and apply numeracy skills confidently; engage with new
technologies and develop creative learning and thinking skills through teamwork
and co-operation (Ministry of Education, 2007).
English is his second language but it did not deter him, he
was able to use his imagination to enhance his creativity further by
play-acting for the camera. Giving children exposure to communicative tools
like digital cameras will allow the children freedom of experimenting with
their imaginative growth. As a child’s imagination develops, so does his or her
social skills, learning abilities and overall sense of well-being (Smorti,
1999).
I also realised his confidence on the use of cameras had
developed as the days moved on he was teaching his new friends how to take
pictures and videos. Children love to see themselves on camera, whether it’s
acting in a videotaped mini-play, singing or dancing. I realised that children
gained more than just entertainment from watching themselves perform on television;
they also gain self-esteem (Ministry of Education, 1996). As children grow,
their pictures will reflect their understanding of the principles of picture
taking and how they bring us closer to those far away. I also realise that
children this age love to share their lives with others and pictures capture
these moments very well. I have also scaffolded him on how to download the
pictures on computer and place them in his portfolio. His love for cameras has
developed so much that he now owns his own camera.
My personal learning experience with child A has been a great
journey for me. I also believe that having the understanding of why it is
important for us as teachers to reflect on our teaching is a great tool.
Reference List:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā
mokopuna o
Aotearoa: Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand:
Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington,
New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti,
S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, No. 19.
Autumn 1999.
Gloria, it was a pleasure reading your reflection on how you have supported this new child settle in your early childhood environment. Through offering the child with a digital technology you have provided an experience for him to explore the camera where he was able to take pictures and on the other hand this child felt the sense of belonging in your setting when his and his family’s photos were displayed on the centre’s whānau area wall. It is really great to hear that his mum also engaged in this learning of the child when they both decided to make an album from the photos that the boy took and send to grandma back home. Through this experience the child gained confidence in using this digital technology where he also developed creativity skills. Yes, as educators we have to reflect on our teaching practice so we can make things better for next time. Overall, a thorough and good-quality reflection of your journey along with children. Ka pai!
ReplyDeleteHello Gloria It was nice to read through your personal reflection which described how you as an educator encouraged the new child in settling in your centre. It was very good to read that through technology you made the child feel a sense of belonging within the centre by supporting him or her to take pictures of everyone involved in the centre. It was good to read that from digital technology you supported the child to make photo album but this leaves me thinking that did you enhance the child’s learning from digital technology towards non digital technology for example how did you make the album? Did you use any non-digital resources?. It was good to read that you discovered that children are motivated to be lifelong learners as they are taught to be skilled users of digital technology. I liked the part where you have stated that through digital technology children gain lots of skills through working in a team. Good use of reference overall it was an awesome reflection.
ReplyDeleteGloria it was a pleasure to read through your reflection about using cameras in your early childhood setting. I really enjoyed the part where you talk about how you as an educator supported the child to settle down and gave him the feeling of belonging by putting his pictures up. It was really nice to know that parents were also involved in this process with the child as this also assures them that they are belonged in the centre. I liked the part where you also have spoken about sending pictures to the child’s grandma so she could also be part in the child’s learning and development. It was good to hear that this technology has developed confidence in this child and allowed him to communicate more. You as an educator have recognised children’s learning and development through this technology so well done Gloria. I personally felt that this refection was very well written. Tino Pai.
ReplyDeleteHi Gloria
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read your reflection on camera. I love the way that you used technology to settle a newly migrant child from Kenya at the centre with his new friend. You give him the camera, encourage him take photo of his new environment, and share that with his family and friends. He gained sense of belonging with the share of photos. You managed to help her to settle in new environment and listen careful her experience from Kenya. I agree with you in these days children grow up in an environment, which is surrounded by technology everywhere. Through technology, children develop overall in their early learning. As an educator you provide appropriate an effective use of technology in early learning. I believe it is essential to empower child’s active participation; you can also extend children’s interest by introducing more technology tools such as downloading the images and allow them to print their favourite photos. Well Done, overall reflection is good.
Hi Gloria
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see that how you helped the child to settle in new environment. As the child A has recently migrated from Kenya, You gave him freedom to take lots of photos based on his interest. The child felt co exited to take photos when you told him he could send photos to his grandma and friends. He felt sense of belonging with the setting and back his home country. I have noticed in my practice some children find it difficult to settle in the centre especially when they come from different environment. Child A came from a totally different language and cultural background. I appreciate that you gave him encouragement and opportunity to get settle in the centre. New technology also helps him to stick with his family in his home country. Te whāriki states that children should have some space for belongings and be able to identify with the environment. Personal photographs, family name, art work and celebrations are important in establishing a sense of belonging (Ministry of Education, 1996). Well done.