Drawing with crayons
The children used the non-digital technology of crayons to draw their pictures on plain white paper. I noticed they stimulated their imaginative skills by drawing the pictures that they imagined. This drawing influenced the way they held the crayons and drew different shapes. They moved their little fingers, adjusted to the size of the crayon and held it properly: they were developing fine motor skills.
The children used the non-digital technology of crayons to draw their pictures on plain white paper. I noticed they stimulated their imaginative skills by drawing the pictures that they imagined. This drawing influenced the way they held the crayons and drew different shapes. They moved their little fingers, adjusted to the size of the crayon and held it properly: they were developing fine motor skills.
As I observed the children, they adjusted holding the crayons and tried to draw a line. In my perspective this adjustment encouraged children to be more confident when drawing with crayons. It also inspired other children who imitated this learning and practiced the holding of crayons. Looking at the other children modeling the holding of the crayon to other children, it provides a good guidance to improve children’s interactive and communication skills using this non-digital technology. It is the social cultural context where children live and learn and connects them to experience practical technology everyday.I think that centres should provide different sizes of crayons because I noticed that not all children are confident and comfortable with these small size crayons. I recognized that there is a need to provide small, medium and large size crayons for children to decide which size to use so that they can use this type of technology more competently. It is important for children to develop confidence to acquire new knowledge they need as life –long learners (Ministry of Education, 1996).
Smorti (1999) suggests that “technology is also a creative and purposeful activity aimed 
at meeting needs” (p.9). In my opinion catering for the needs of diverse children develops their self-confidence and encouraging their imaginative skills. Crayons also give children the knowledge to experience a variety for drawing instead of thinking only about pencil and pen. It lays a basic foundation for children’s understanding of this piece of technology in the center and prepares them for experiencing new technology in school (Ministry of Education, 2007): such as holding different crayons, understand different shapes and be able to be capable in language skills when they talk to each other about what they do with crayons.
at meeting needs” (p.9). In my opinion catering for the needs of diverse children develops their self-confidence and encouraging their imaginative skills. Crayons also give children the knowledge to experience a variety for drawing instead of thinking only about pencil and pen. It lays a basic foundation for children’s understanding of this piece of technology in the center and prepares them for experiencing new technology in school (Ministry of Education, 2007): such as holding different crayons, understand different shapes and be able to be capable in language skills when they talk to each other about what they do with crayons.
Children’s language also developed when they asked questions to each other about what they drew, how to draw or what color they preferred drawing and how to handhold the crayon or even asked for the crayon used by the other child.
Next time that I will use crayons with children, I will make sure to provide a variety of crayons to cater for different needs of children. This will help the children to familiarize with non-digital technology like crayons and prepare them for experiencing new different technology resources like this at school. It will be also better to provide long crayons for children to write as if they are using pencils to enhance their drawing skills and be able to progress in the use of technology. I feel the children should have this ability because Te Whariki says that “children gain experience in using communication technology such as crayon” (Ministry of Education, 1996).
References
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19.
Hi toelau. This is an interesting blog of how you understand of how technology influenced the children's learning. I like the way you incorporate language skills in technology becuase this is one great influence of technology is the using of language. True that the impact of language to technology is crucial.We cant deny the fact that we have the same perspectives in using non digital technology as we see crayons as just tools which include holding and movements of their fingers. Great, that you used a varitey of literatures which are so appropriate to the quotes you select.
ReplyDeleteYou also look at the depth learning which the children get from using crayons. This shows that you understand too of the new learning skills the children get from using different kinds of crayons.
Great that you also considered some ways of improvement of your teaching next time and willing to take actions to solve the problems. I wonder if there are other ways or advantages so that children use instead of long crayons.
yea Ru, definitely, I will try look at some other ways to use instead of crayons..hehe..ka pai Ru
DeleteHi Toelau, I couldn't see your blog on my feed on the main page, so thanks for commenting as it allowed me to click on it to bring me to your page and see your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog, it was great that you were able to recognise the different learning that children gain from using such things as crayons, especially the learning that comes with it such as language as you mentioned. I find in my centre when children are doing art work constant conversations are going on among the children, a lot of the time unrelated to the task they are actually doing. Other times this conversation actually iniates the creativity in the children in what they are doing which can lead to many different outcomes!
I like that you recognised that not all children can or are comfortable using small crayons, and the suggestion that next time your will provide a variety is really great, I am sure you will get children that use a mixture of both too which will lead to different artwork again. Providing different materials for the children to choose from is great as it gives them choice, they aren't just made to use a certain type of crayon they can let their creativity flow!
You really thought about the children's learning from using this form of technology, both for the child using it and also the other children around that are watching and learning too! Many children find it hard to hold crayons or pencils the right way so the fact that children are able to learn from each other is a great learning tool for them to then pass on to someone else. Perhaps you could also introduce children to different ways of using the crayons. At my centre we do activities that allow for children to do rubbings with them, they use them on there side rather then holding them like a pencil which gives them a different result again. broadening their imaginations :)
Thanx Emma for the comment, I learn from what you have done in your centre, and I will try them out in my centre too.
DeleteHi Toelau.
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing how TECHNOLOGY a big and complex field can happen with the smallest things; A crayon. You have really highlighted the different developments children have gained as well as learning when they use crayons. When I see children using crayons at my centre, there is always alot of conversation going on while they are colouring, and something I suggest we can all do next time to extend on technlogy is encouraging children to make what they draw. Because as the children are colouring, they draw different pictures. Sometimes they draw things from home or what they dreamt of or saw on television and so forth, but extending this activity to a much bigger piece of technology would be challenging children to make what they drew. But your point about children developing fine motor skills is indeed true and also their language skills. Children also learn about their colours because to me, one of the easiest ways to get children to be familiar with their colours is using coloured pensils or crayons and a white piece of paper. Ka pai and good luck with your whole assessment. I enjoy reading your blog.
fanx O'u for commenting...wish u da best 4 ur blogging 2..keep it up
DeleteTalofa Lau
ReplyDeleteOf course Lau, crayons is the easiest non digital technology that children find it easy to use. Infant, toddlers and young children prefer crayons to write on than a pencil. As you mentioned, it is easy to hold and trace their pictures but and it is also easy to follow. Children can also make up stories from what they draw. Young children used crayons to draw or write down of what they know and think to explain what they have discovered. A crayon was the most popular non digital technology that our generations were using it for our learning. As we seen today, crayons are still exist because it is relevant and a helpful tools to enhance the new generation’s learning. Moreover, children can perform different knowledge and skills of using different colours of crayons to make up a nice colourful picture that they have made and share stories with peers, teachers and parents.
Malo lava Lau, Well done!!!
sowi lau I forgot to do the hyperlinks for Ann :):)
Deletealgud Mara...fanx for commenting...nice reading bwt ur comments..ka pai..Malo a faamalosi
DeleteTalofa Lau
ReplyDeleteOf course Lau, crayons is the easiest non digital technology that children find it easy to use. Infant, toddlers and young children prefer crayons to write on than a pencil. As you mentioned, it is easy to hold and trace their pictures but and it is also easy to follow. Children can also make up stories from what they draw. Young children used crayons to draw or write down of what they know and think to explain what they have discovered.
A crayon was the most popular non digital technology that our generations were using it for our learning. As we seen today, crayons are still exist because it is relevant and a helpful tools to enhance the new generation’s learning. Moreover, children can perform different knowledge and skills of using different colours of crayons to make up a nice colorful picture that they have made and share stories with peers, teachers and parents.
Malo lava Lau, Well done!!!
It is very true Lau that lots of learning for young children when using these non-digital technologies. Children see things differently from adults. As we all know that crayons view as an art tool to adults, fortunately children view them as much more. When children draw, they might start out drawing one thing, then they start experimenting with the colours, shapes, and techniques and end up with something entirely different. Crayons are a fun way for children to practise beginning writing skills. Interesting colours are much more fun than lead pencils. A fun way to get children to practice making large circles and lines that go up and down, is to encourage them to imagine they are drawing cars speeding around the racetrack. Playing crayon hunt game with children by placing crayons around the room in easy to spot locations. Say the name of the colour, and have children try to find that colour of crayon. Take turns by letting a child name colour for you to find. It is a fun activity. Great blog Lau! Malo!
ReplyDelete