Photography is easily recognizable as an art form and a creative outlet for many whether professional or amateur. With a digital camera, the ability to allow inexperienced children to begin their experimentation with photography without the cost concern associated with film and developing is an even greater opportunity. Childhood experience with photography can promote creativity and provide a wonderful tool for learning in general.
Certainly, working with a child to understand the operation of a simple digital camera is necessary before beginning but the possibilities to stimulate imagination, story telling, interest in topics such as history, geography, nature, and sciences among others are endless.
The following are just a few examples of some of the activities with a camera that can get children started on a life time of study, a hobby of interest, or simply an enthusiasm to explore and learn.
A Project for Younger Siblings
Many children enjoy creating projects for younger children, perhaps it is the desire in all of us to mentor. Identifying items that have the various letters of the alphabet in them, photographing them, and producing an alphabet book for a younger sibling just beginning to read is an example of such a project.
To further stimulate imagination, the development of a story book is another possibility. As an example, using the family dog, the child photographer could take various pictures of the pet and devise a short story around "The Life and Times of Fido", "Fido's Big Adventure", or whatever title is appropriate.
A Travel Diary
Like adults, children can use a camera to keep their own photo journal of any travels; whether to grandma's house or to the beach a record of memories is certainly a treasure.
To expand on the travel diary concept and broaden the interest in travel and geography, the child might fabricate a cardboard character to travel even further. By giving the cardboard character to friends and relatives who may be traveling, the character can tag along and be photographed in additional locations. Each travel escort should return any pictures taken with a written paragraph about the journey and location. Over time a rather extensive travel diary, far beyond what the child will personally experience, will form.
The Nature Experience
Developing an interest in science and nature is easy when a camera can provide the focus. Rather than collecting live insects, leaves, rocks, or flowers; photographs can do the job while providing a more permanent archive. The camera also allows collecting of items that would otherwise be impossible; animals, sunsets, waterfalls, footprints, or whatever captures the observant eye of a child.
Beyond collection, photography allows the study of some of the processes of nature. One example is to capture the progression of growth of a plant or animal with a camera. Whether planting a seed in a glass bowl and capturing its germination, rooting, sprouting, and growth or simply photographing a new kitten each week, the catalog of development helps to focus attention as well as potentially develop an interest in science.
Biographies, Family Trees, News Stories, and Documentaries
Challenging school age children to develop a family album complete with a short biography of each family member can stimulate creativity and allow an outlet for their sense of humor as well. Using a camera, some children even willingly accept the role as the family recorder of all special events with others making contributions as needed. A sense of responsibility can foster the desire to excel in their photographic efforts!
Another option for school age children which is a great summer project is to develop a monthly newspaper complete with pictures. The creative options are unlimited; from reporting on recent events in the neighborhood, the family vacation, the latest crime by the family dog, or updates on current or upcoming extracurricular activities can be among the articles accompanied by an appropriate photograph.
Stimulating Creative Writing or Story Telling
Stories can be formed by words, pictures, or both. Armed with a simple camera, a child can put together a sequence of pictures to tell a story; can a family member or younger sibling tell the story without the story being told in words? This type of activity is great for children who have an interest in doing projects for younger siblings.
Another activity to stimulate reading comprehension is to provide the child with a short story and ask them to illustrate the story with a few photographs using props.
Certainly, these activities represent only a very small number of the possibilities to use a camera in developing and expanding interests, fostering learning, and providing a sense of achievement for youngsters. With a little imagination, the camera can open up a whole world to the curious mind and eye of a child.
Author Resource Box
Christine Peppler is the webmaster of homemedias.info, an online home electronics store. Visit the site to learn more about a digital camera, camcorder, television or other electronics.
