Homerton Children’s
Centre
Digital cameras in the EYFS
Harriet Price
Why use?
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Why use?
• Puts children at the centre of their learning
• Instant feedback
• Highly motivating for engaging in learning
• Shows children they are valued
• Builds on a developing sense of self
• Shared context for language development
• Personalises learning - makes experiences meaningful
• Valuable tool for communicating and sharing information
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Use defunct cameras in play
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Digital Cameras also…
Develop
o communication, language and literacy
o creativity and composition
o confidence as a user of technology
o self-esteem
o co-ordination
Encourage
o
o
o
o
o
discussion
decision making
reviewing
modifying
evaluating
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What can you do with
the photographs or video?
Links with home
Supporting parents as children settle
Displays, including digital
Documenting learning
Puzzles/lotto boards
Outings/visits
Use as evidence
Making resources e.g. for storyboard or labeling equipment
Review, edit and use with software
Children’s own reflections and record keeping
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Ideas for using digital images to
support PSED
Sense of belonging, photos of setting, friends
and activities
Expressing likes/dislikes
Reinforcing rules
Increasing self esteem-look what I can do!
Allowing children to select and choose activities
Supporting individual children’s needs
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Ideas for using digital images to
support CLLD
Photos of setting, homes, friends, family and activities
Outings and visits, developing vocabulary
Acting out and retelling stories
Story boards
Photos attached to name cards
Scribing under photos
Photos of real setting in role play area e.g. photos of a
garden centre or shoe shop
Photos of labels from shops to reproduce in role play
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Using a digital camera
– an example
Context
Nursery children in the outdoor area have been asked to take
a picture of their favourite place
Learning and Teaching DVD – Homerton Clip.
Whilst watching clip consider:
What happens next?
How should this activity be extended?
What could you do with the photographs?
What assessment opportunities are there?
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Choosing a camera
– Issues to consider
How vulnerable is it? It is possible to buy accidental damage cover at the
time of buying the camera. Ask at a local camera shop.
Will the children be able to use it e.g. size of screen/buttons?
Ease of use for practitioners?
Cost? There are many very cheap cameras, including video cameras on the
market. We purchase some that cost under £30, as well as others that are
closer to £80
How will it connect to a computer? Do I need extra leads or a card reader to
keep attached to the computer at all times?
Will you use a stand alone printer? Direct printers can be portable and easy
for quick print offs, they can also be more expensive to print from.
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Homerton Children’s Centre
Resources
Picture this: 50 exciting ways to use a camera
Helen Bromley Lawrence Educational Publishers
Tel: 01922 643833 ISBN: 1-903670-22-5
Talking photo album and cards www.tts-group.co.uk
2Create a Story
www.2simple.com
Amazon for cheap cameras
www.amazon.co.uk
Early Learning Centre
www.elc.co.uk
Tizzy’s First Tools – Present
www.sherston.com
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Homerton Children’s Centre