From a child's eyes

‘Children are effective

communicators when

they ... engage with

technology for fun

and to make meaning’

(EYLF p. 44) *

 This is how Little J sees his world...

from a child's eyes...

 

 Yesterday we were at this African shop and Little J was getting bored so I redirected Little J by letting him 'take' his own photographs.

With this experience Little J was totally engrossed and absorbed 

showed by his obvious interest level and concentration so

because of this he talked and chattered less often than he usually 

does. These (below) are the following photos that little J (3 years 

and 7 months) 'took' by showing me what he wanted to photograph 

and pressing the button while I held the camera: 

 

Oops Hoohoohoohoo (don't touch) , yum yum yum!

 

Hmm, 

now let's go outside...

 A walkway between two shops that goes to the drive in:

Brick textures, exploring close up: 

"What next?" 

Almost touching the bricks, little J points to show me

"That? okay..."

"...Ooops, you turned the camera off! Look this is the off and on button, see. 

Here's the other button to take the photo, okay."

Little J tries very hard as he is still adjusting to the feel of how to press the button. 

(Great for practicing  fine motor control! )

Observing our reflections in the shop window:

(sorry the first one is sideways it wasn't taken like that)

"What next?" 

"The road / cars"

"Like this?"

"Yes"

"Okay, are you going to take the photo again?

Ready to press the botton?"

Next Little J walks over to the post and indicates it to be the next photo

"That? Okay."

Looking up Little J says "Big, Make it big"

For the next shot Little J looks up and is attracted to the sparkly decorations that he notices (see the top of the photo) then walks up to the outdoor eating place running his hand along the dividers and specifically pointing them and the umbrella out to be in the next photograph.

I hold the camera as he takes his next photo.

"That one next? Okay"

I'm in a hurry and we're about to go so that's why Little J didn't get to press the button on the camera this time. But the authorship and idea is all his. 

(No, he's not reading so he didn't know what the advert was saying. 

And Yes, I'm aware that giving out Easter eggs is a childcare no no.)

In this one I'm going with Little J's spontaneity and following his direction and lead in what photograph to take.

Finally we climbed in the mini bus tired but engaged and no longer bored. 

This experience provided Little J with great fun by engaging with technology to make meaning of his world, meaning from a child's eyes.

Thanks Little J for helping me see through your eyes!

* See the following EYLF newsletter 'Learning Outcomes' in PDF for more details:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/eylfplp/newsletters/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No6.pdf