Zoom in on ECE with Polaroid Photos
by Guy Cantin
Children love watching photographs develop instantly before their eyes. Even more than interactive fun, instant
photos are effective teaching tools. They can be used to: reinforce verbal skills with storytelling; introduce
mathematical concepts such as graphing, counting, and grouping; foster creative thinking with visual games;
and strengthen social skills with activities that explore emotions, expressions and interactions. A variety of
activities have been tried and found truly motivational by early childhood educators. The many ideas described
here will surely stimulate more of your own.
Photographs can help small children describe their accomplishments. A picture is all it takes to say, "Look what I did," "Here's my new friend" or "See what I learned." Photo Open Houses also speak volumes to parents. A series of photographs can capture the spirit of a program and cover the activities that take place in a way that words alone can't express.
Keeping handy a picture of Mom or Dad can be a real comfort to a child who's away from home for the first time. Instant photos can also help children find their cubbies when they can't read their names, label projects or identify other belongings. They're a wonderful way to honour special achievements, increase self-esteem and build confidence.
Social Skills
Photo Face
Gives the child a better understanding of emotions and the facial expressions that usually accompany them.
Develops vocabulary related to emotional states and increases awareness of an individual's emotional
condition.
Take at least two pictures of each child with different facial expressions. For instance, ask the child to make a happy face. If necessary, model the expression and use a mirror to help the child achieve the appropriate expression. Label each photo with the child's name and emotional state. Be sure to check with the child to make sure the label is correct. Attach a stick to the back of each picture so the child can hold up each picture like a sign.
During circle time, initiate a discussion on feelings. Explore feelings and their related expressions. Children can study their photos, imitate the expressions and hold up their appropriate photos.
This activity should help children learn more about self-expression and increase their understanding of others. Let the children take their photos home so they can discuss what they've learned with their parents.
Photo Expectations
Reinforces appropriate behaviour, cooperation and independence.
In the early childhood setting, children are learning how to get along with peers, follow directions and become independent. Educators create a pleasant learning atmosphere by making expectations clearly understood through simple rules stated positively. Often written rules are posted prominently in classrooms. For the youngsters who cannot read, it is a good idea to take pictures of the children following each class rule. Post the pictures with a simple label on a poster board or bulletin board so that everyone can see them. For instance, the rule "take turns" could be illustrated with an instant photo of two children on a slide, one at the top and one at the bottom. At the early childhood level, most children are beginning to work on internalizing rules and developing impulse control. A concrete visual aid, such as an instant photo, can help prompt their memory.
Special People, Places and Times
People and Uniforms
Acquaints children with uniforms and the people in their community who wear them. This exercise promotes
parental involvement and encourages children to learn the contemporary meaning of various uniforms and
what they represent.
At least a day before the activity begins, discuss the uses for and the role of uniforms. Talk about the people who wear them and the services they provide. Ask the children to talk about various uniforms they wear.
Mount close-up photographs that the children have taken of each other on individual pieces of construction paper. Cut out pictures of uniforms from magazines and newspapers or create uniforms using construction paper. Attach the cutouts to the photographs so that the children look like they are wearing the uniforms. Ask the children to choose the uniforms that they might like to wear. Discuss their feelings about their choices.
My Space
Teaches children to organize their materials, become responsible for their own possessions and recognize
their names.
Most early childhood settings have a designated area for children to store their coats and backpacks. Usually, this area includes a hook, shelf and cubby space. To help children spot their cubbies, mark them with their own photos. For name recognition, be sure to write each child's name on the photo.
Children learn better in an environment that is not only rich but also well-organized. Cubby photos can help early childhood educators teach organization and self-help skills.
Photo Open House
Gives parents a better understanding of what goes on during the day at their child's preschool or day care
facility and promotes communication between parent and child.
Take instant photos of classroom activities that occur in specific parts of the room and at certain times of the day. For instance, take a picture of children playing at the water table, then mount the picture in that area and label the event and its purpose in the program. Magnetic tape works well for applying pictures to metal surfaces.
For a full-day display, post a large schedule with time slots, labels and pictures to illustrate each activity. These pictures will show the parents the various activities that their children are engaged in during the day. During Open House, the educator can refer to the visual display to explain the program to parents. This may stimulate further dialogue between parents and program personnel.
Parents are automatically drawn to pictures of their own children. Instant photos of the children "in action" offer parents a real glimpse of their child's activities. These photos can serve as springboards to later discussions between parents and children. For instance, "I saw that picture of you at the easel. You sure looked interested in your painting. Tell me what you like about painting."
Send mounted photos home to parents. Let children embellish the mounts with drawings and stickers.
Powers of Observation
Photo Loto
Teaches children to recognize concepts, themes or similarities through imagery.
Take duplicate images of objects that represent a theme or a concept (e.g. objects that represent winter, different types of cars, different parts of cars, etc.) Paste one set of images on a poster board. Ask children to identify the content of each of the images. Then ask them if they can describe what is common to all of the images. Ask them if they can describe additional things that would also be similar or representative of the theme. For younger children, hand out a second set of pictures so that each child has at least one photograph. Ask each child to match his/her photograph to one on the poster board. Ask them to identify people, things or ideas in the photograph. For children who are learning the alphabet or who are identifying words, write the first letter of the object shown in the photograph. Ask them to identify other objects that begin with the same letter.
Mathematics
Graphing
Introduces basic mathematic concepts.
Use a bulletin board or poster board to make graphs. Begin by gathering one close-up and one full-body image of each child. Place pictures of children in a row according to eye colour. This graph will show how many students have certain eye colours.
Try a variation of graphs using:
Integrate other concepts into the lesson such as: more or less than; counting; sets; and sorting by similarities and differences.
Story Books
My Friends And Me
Encourages language development, enjoyment of reading and social interaction. Enhances positive relations
in the group.
Take pictures of all the children; make photocopies so that each child can have a photo of everyone in the group. Paste or glue photos to construction paper in a book format. Ask the children to write/dictate or describe an activity they like to do with each other:
Write the phrases opposite the images. After completing their books, encourage children to read them aloud or read along with you. As an extension of the photograph, children can draw on the page depicting the activity they like to do with their friends. You can also create images of the children interacting with their favourite things (e.g. hugging a teddy bear). Mount the photos in books by folding paper in half, then stapling or sewing the paper along the fold. Create an appropriate cover for each book, with the title My "I Like" Book.
Making It Happen
With all these good ideas comes the challenge of finding the resources to make them happen. Polaroid Canada provides 600 series cameras and training to educators who register for their Polaroid Educational Program (PEP) workshops. For only $10 per participant (a minimum number is required), a workshop presenter will demonstrate instant camera techniques and methodology for work with young children. Polaroid has additional promotion programs to facilitate getting extra cameras, film and related products. To book a workshop (English or French) or get additional information, call Polaroid Canada at 1- 800-565-3958 (ext. 264).
Guy Cantin is a retired teacher with elementary and secondary school experience. Cantin presents workshops
for Polaroid Canada in English and French.
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This article first appeared in Interaction Winter, 1996, published by the Canadian Child Care
Federation. |
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