Digital cameras enable us to put children right at the centre of their learning. Seeing photographs of themselves and people and places that are important to them helps children realise a sense of belonging in the setting. It shows children that they and their lives are valued and important to us. Digital cameras also make it easier for us to make strong links with children's homes.
Using digital photos also allows us to personalise each child's learning, through adding to resources or for recording each child's own learning journey.
A few ideas to try
- Use a photo board for self-registering. Discuss with the children who is there and not in attendance that day. Help them become more aware of each other and build friendships. Count who is there and not there that day (PSED, CLLD, PSRN).
- Not all photos need printing. Use the digital camera display to share with a child. Look back at a recent event, their play that session, achievements or something the child is interested in (PSED, CLLD, PD).
- Support the development of vocabulary by using talking photo cards (see Resources) (CLLD).
- Send a talking photo album home for children and families to share photos of their friends from the setting or to add to with photos from home (PSED, CLLD).
- Make 'learning journey' displays or books showing children's learning through a series of photographs. Children and families may like to add to these with their own comments (PSED, CLLD plus area of learning within the recorded journey).
- Involve everyone, including staff, in making 'All about me' books. Children and families can use photographs, drawings or cut-outs to tell stories about themselves (PSED, CLLD).
- Invite children to take photographs of places they like best or like least around the setting, both inside and outside. Use as a basis for discussion. Does this change through the seasons? Can the children suggest changes they would like to make? Make a pictogram of the places (PSED, CLLD, PSRN).
- Use digital photographs within software to retell and create stories - for example, 2 Create a Story, PowerPoint, Tizzy's First Tools: Present (CD, CLLD).
- Add digital photographs to art software to play 'face painting' (CD).
- Digital photo frames are excellent for instantly being able to play a slideshow. Show photographs at the end of a session for children and families to discuss what they have been doing that day, or show during a session for children to recall past events and experiences (CLLD).
- Make a number line of children, laminate and hang outside for children to count up and down, rearrange or find a missing number (PSRN)
- Take photos of each child, cut out, add a magnetic strip and offer for adding to story boards for, say, being able to put themselves and their friends into 'Mr Gumpy's Boat' (PSED, CLLD).
RESOURCES
- Picture this: 50 exciting ways to use a camera by Helen Bromley (Lawrence Educational Publishers, ISBN: 1-903670-22-5)
- Talking photo album and cards from TTS Active ICT (0800 318 686, www.tts-group.co.uk)
- 2Create a Story software (www.2simple.com)
- Fisher Price camera from Early Learning Centre (www.elc.co.uk)
- Tizzy's First Tools: Present software (Sherston, 01666 843 200, www.sherston.com)
TIPS ON USING DIGITAL CAMERAS
- To help children be independent in using a camera, make sure they are taught the skills and rules of using it, for example 'When you pick it up, put the strap on first to keep it safe.'
- Keep the camera in the same readily available place to make sure it is accessible and always returned.
- If you don't have a computer, there are many direct printers to choose from, some of which are highly portable.
- Printing is expensive. Consider buying a set number of cartridges for a period of time so that you know what funds you are allocating.
- Not all photos need printing. Encourage children to save their photos on the computer. These could be copied on to CDs for families at the end of each year.
- When you purchase a camera, inquire about insurance - ours have a three-year guarantee for repairs or replacement, even though we have made it clear the children have free access to them.
