Coloured Pencils
In the centre, another non-digital technology the children
use is the coloured pencils. The coloured pencils we have come in all ranges of
colours which the children use every day to draw, colour and create art. Children
use the coloured pencils all throughout the day, drawing pictures of objects,
food, places, people, animals and pictures of themselves. The children in my
centre are very creative, and when it comes to drawing they are true artists. Through the use of coloured pencils (Somerset, 2007) says that children develop fine motor skills as well as hand and eye co-ordination. Children
put such detail into their work where they colour and make their plain piece of
paper stand out with bright vibrant colours with pictures of all sorts of
things they love and take interest in. Language that indicates the subtleties of
visual arts works such as lines, shapes, colour and texture can be introduced
to children when it is linked to what they are observing or making (Isenberg
& Jalongo, 2009). When children are drawing or colouring in their pictures,
I take great interest in the way they are colouring in and comment on their
work. This lets them know I am interested in what they are doing and paying
attention to the way they are colouring in, such as seeing the different shades
of colours they are using on the picture they have drawn. Technology is a
useful tool in early childhood learning environments that employ emergent
curriculum approaches and the use of technology in early childhood settings
enables teachers to easily tailor the curriculum to meet individual children’s
needs (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005).
With the coloured pencils, children can also use them for
writing, where they may write their name or write a massage for their friend or
family. Te Whāriki (1996)
states that children gain experience in using communication technologies such
as crayons, paintbrushes and pencils. By using coloured pencils, children are able to express thoughts and feeling through their drawings. When children have written their messages
or drawn their pictures, they would go and show a teacher and start talking
about what they have made. With some children who are shy, teacher would ask
them what they have made on their paper. Children are experiencing an environment that provides opportunities for them to develop language skills as they interact in meaningful conversations with teachers (Ministry of Education, 1996). We enjoy asking children about what they
have drawn or written as there may be a story behind it. When children have
told us about their picture or story we record what they have said and document
it through learning stories which are placed in their folder and displayed in
the room along with their picture or writing. Art is important for the young
children’s development as they offer unique avenues for exploration and representation,
to our way of thinking, art encompasses seeing, looking, perceiving, and making
new cognitive connections (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005).
Drawing and writing is a form of communication as in the past
people did not have pencils or pens, so they would have drawn with rocks and other
tools. As technology has evolved we have as well. We no longer use rocks or
ancient tools to draw or write to represent stories, as humans wanted to improve the form of communicational tools and so they did (Smorti,1999) by developing pens, pencils,
paint and other tools to draw and communicate with.
In the centre, another non-digital technology the children
use is the coloured pencils. The coloured pencils we have come in all ranges of
colours which the children use every day to draw, colour and create art. Children
use the coloured pencils all throughout the day, drawing pictures of objects,
food, places, people, animals and pictures of themselves. The children in my
centre are very creative, and when it comes to drawing they are true artists. Through the use of coloured pencils (Somerset, 2007) says that children develop fine motor skills as well as hand and eye co-ordination. Children
put such detail into their work where they colour and make their plain piece of
paper stand out with bright vibrant colours with pictures of all sorts of
things they love and take interest in. Language that indicates the subtleties of
visual arts works such as lines, shapes, colour and texture can be introduced
to children when it is linked to what they are observing or making (Isenberg
& Jalongo, 2009). When children are drawing or colouring in their pictures,
I take great interest in the way they are colouring in and comment on their
work. This lets them know I am interested in what they are doing and paying
attention to the way they are colouring in, such as seeing the different shades
of colours they are using on the picture they have drawn. Technology is a
useful tool in early childhood learning environments that employ emergent
curriculum approaches and the use of technology in early childhood settings
enables teachers to easily tailor the curriculum to meet individual children’s
needs (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005).
With the coloured pencils, children can also use them for
writing, where they may write their name or write a massage for their friend or
family. Te Whāriki (1996)
states that children gain experience in using communication technologies such
as crayons, paintbrushes and pencils. By using coloured pencils, children are able to express thoughts and feeling through their drawings. When children have written their messages
or drawn their pictures, they would go and show a teacher and start talking
about what they have made. With some children who are shy, teacher would ask
them what they have made on their paper. Children are experiencing an environment that provides opportunities for them to develop language skills as they interact in meaningful conversations with teachers (Ministry of Education, 1996). We enjoy asking children about what they
have drawn or written as there may be a story behind it. When children have
told us about their picture or story we record what they have said and document
it through learning stories which are placed in their folder and displayed in
the room along with their picture or writing. Art is important for the young
children’s development as they offer unique avenues for exploration and representation,
to our way of thinking, art encompasses seeing, looking, perceiving, and making
new cognitive connections (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005).
Drawing and writing is a form of communication as in the past
people did not have pencils or pens, so they would have drawn with rocks and other
tools. As technology has evolved we have as well. We no longer use rocks or
ancient tools to draw or write to represent stories, as humans wanted to improve the form of communicational tools and so they did (Smorti,1999) by developing pens, pencils,
paint and other tools to draw and communicate with. 
Hi Shika :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good reflection, I like how throughout the post you have made references to showing appreciation for all children's work and have regarded them as being "artists".
I think that through this sort of responsive interaction it lets children know that you are paying attention and noticing what they are doing building their self confidence.
It is wonderful hearing the stories behind each child's individual pieces of art and a suggestion for you to do with the children is maybe get them to make their own story book. Children can create different pieces of imagery which teachers can put together, along with the child's voice. I think this would be very meaningful experience and give the children a sense of extreme pride
Hi Shika
ReplyDeleteI really like how you have discussed how colour pencils are use in you centre, you talked about the value of art in your centre and I think that is important because every child should be valued and feel they have a place(Ministry of Education,1996.i like how you have discussed the different skills that children gain from using pencils not just the physical with the fine motor skills but the group and social skills when children are at the table.
great blog about pencils and the different ways you have showed us we can use them to promote writing and drawing.
thanks Shika
Hi Shika
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection! It stands out to me that you value and respect children and their art work as you have identifies many learning opportunities that they create and you acknowledge the children as artists of beautiful pictures. Isnt it interesting how children use their art to reperesent and share with us the things that they experience in their lives such as drawing friends. I like how the teachers get involved in reviewing childrens artwork, allowing them to feel a sense of contribution and belonging in your centre. Maybe you could get the children to tell you their own story using things they are familiar with and then get them to illustrate it?
hey Shika, great reflection! I like how you take your time to be interested in the children's work. shows your passion with them. colouring pencils are another mean of children's way of expressing themselves. It offers opportunity for meaningful conversations as you discuss their work that they made. It's also meaningful when you ask the children how THEY feel about their picture. It gives them a sense of empowerment in themselves and they don't always ask for approval. This is great for their self-esteem. I love how you record it with learning stories for them to read and they can revisit it all the time! well done!
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