When using crayons for drawing children develop skills such as problem solving and concentration for example I observed that a child was interested in drawing cars and was interested in talking about his picture. I think that technological ideas can be communicated through drawing as this can help the child to develop communication skills starting from their own ideas about the world and therefore the New Zealand curriculum (2007) concurs technology is involvement by design.
When educators provide children to communicate they develop verbal communication skills and get to practise the skills of explaining and questioning. This perspective made me ask questions as I thought this would be a very common way to begin discussion with the child as this helped the child to establish what he already knew about the particular topic. For example I asked him open ended questions such as “Do you think a car is a machine and why?”, “Why do you think a car needs petrol to work?”.
I think when I asked the child opened ended questions I came to discover that open ended questions does not have to be a right or wrong answer if just offers reactions which can lead to further discussion and investigation towards children’s learning process. I also came to learn when we ask children to explain through questions this helps them to make connections in their learning and develop abilities such as their thinking skills expands as Te Whāriki suggest children must observe an atmosphere where they study approaches for lively investigation and philosophy (Ministry of Education, 1996). The challenge which I faced during this learning experience was when I saw the child tie two crayons together using the cellotype and making huge circles. This made me wonder that why did he tie two crayons together to make a circle why not one. I felt that the child challenged my thinking because I had to think from a technological perspective during that time. But I came to reflect that he might be experimenting and inventing a new way to draw since art is about invention as Craft, A., & Jeffery, B. (2004) reflects “young children like experimenting and problem solving” (p. 109).
When technological ideas are communicated through drawing I feel children develop questioning skills and ask their own questions and undertake their own ideas and philosophies which can lead to interesting inquiry and exploration. As the New Zealand curriculum (2007) states pictures and other methods of graphical image offer important implements for exploration and communication. I also think that educators should help children to express their creativity as technology is about knowledge so this will give the child an opportunity to express his or her own ideas and make links as Te Whāriki states children must practise an atmosphere where they learn and grow diverse methods to be artistic and expressive (Ministry of Education, 1996).
Craft, A., & Jeffery, B. (2004). Creative practice and practice which fosters creativity. In L. Miller & J. Devereaus (Eds), Supporting children’s learning in the early years (pp. 105-112). London: David Fulton.
Images: Retrieved 21/03/2012 from Google Images www.google.co.nz
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki matauranga mō nga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand Curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your reflection, you have really put so much thought into it. Finding out from children about their work is truly valuable because it is not about us assuming and interpreting our thoughts. Pennie Brownlee states that children want adults to respect their interest and work. I suggest you read Pennie Brownlee (Magic Places)she has lovely ideas that can broaden our knowledge with children's art work.
The challenges that you experienced with this child I am sure must have been a great lesson for you as a teacher. Children are teachers as well and they come with their knowledge from home to the centre. That method he used shows us that children experiment in different ways to confirm their understanding of their world. Your questioning method really helped him make sense and understand his own inventions.
Personally for me your reflection is a confirmation of our journey here at MIT of our learning.
Kapai.
Kia ora Sharon
ReplyDeleteI like the way you allow the child to express his feeling through art. It is a good idea to offer children open ended question to engage and think about new technology because children always attract by modern technology. It was great that you noticed child’s interest who likes arts and drawing a picture of a car. You assist the child to make connection with his learning and development. According to Te whāriki children experience an environment where they discover and develop different ways to be creative and expressive (Ministry of Education, 1996). We should provide resources to children in order to help them to be creative an express themselves. I agree with you as an early childhood educator we should encourage children to develop their problem-solving, communication and concentration by use of technology. It is good to see you support children and extended through technology. Good work.
Sharon, it was great to see that you have provided a learning opportunity for children using crayons which is a non digital technology. As educators there are various types of activities that we can provide for children using crayons but I have observed that older children enjoy drawing pictures and colouring while the little ones love to scribble. It is good to see that you allowed the children to explore freely and asked open ended questions that extended their thinking and imagination. I was amazed how you have said that a child cello taped two crayons together and drew circles, children in this generation and very clever and full of ideas. Through the learning opportunity that you provided for children in your setting they develop several skills, most important is that they get to explore through this non digital technology and express they creativity. Generally, a high quality reflection on your teaching and practice. Ka pai!
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