Technology
in the family corner
Children can view things in their world from
different purposes with technology (Pratt Prairie, 2005). The children were in
the family corner. Child A was lying down on the mattress. Child S who was
holding a toy stethoscope said that he is a doctor and is checking the patient.
We have a medical kit for the children in our centre. I gave that kit to the children.
In this kit we have a real stethoscope, bandages, some mask, rubber gloves, and
thermometer.
The children
were excited to use the real stethoscope. I gave the stethoscope to child D who
was pretending as a doctor. He said that oh I can listen to his heartbeat. Another
child pick the thermometer and looking at the numbers carefully. I observed
them how they use the technology. I realised that the new technology is important
for the children. For example the children learn about new technical tools and
how technology saves people’s lives. “Children develop the ability to represent
their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and the technology
associated with them” (Ministry of Education, 1996,p. 88).
Haugland (1999), states that teachers can use
technology to support children’s learning. When technology is used in
developmentally appropriate ways, it can have dramatic influence on learning. I
provide opportunities to the children to feel real technology experiences. When
I gave them real stethoscope they listened to the sound of each other’s
heartbeat. Some toddlers were watching the medical kit very carefully and pick
the tools.
As an educator, I believe that I scaffold the
children’s learning and interests to use technology tools. I engage the
children in group to use these tools .By doing this the children share their knowledge
with other children. The children develop their communication skills. While the
children were playing with the tools, they explore new ideas and concepts to
use technology. The children recognize the important role of doctors and nurses
in our community. Such as one of the child, who wore doctors long coat said
that I am helping E because she is sick. “In the technology practice strand the
children develop a range of outcomes, including concepts, plans, briefs
technological model and products” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p.30)
I provided opportunities to the children to
discover and learn about technology and its uses. They learn the names of
technology tools and uses of these tools. The children develop their gross and
fine motor skills by manipulating the tools. I gave them freedom to use and
explore the tools. Te Whāriki states that developing experience in solving
problems together grows children’s understanding of how technologies can help
them and others (Ministry of Education, 1996).
Through this experience children are able to
extend their math and science skills. The children recognised how the doctor
uses technology to find out the problems and treat people. The children use
their own imagination and creativity to act out the role of the doctor, nurse
and patients. During the play the children shared their experiences with their
peers. Child M Said that I had a fever last week. I went to see my doctor. He
checked my temperature with a thermometer. As an educator we could introduce
the technology to the children through their daily life experiences. I believe that the technological experiences
allowed children to develop their curiosity, independent thinking and problem
solving skills.
Images: Retrieved 18/03/12 from Google Images
www.google.co.nz
Haugland, S. W. (2000). Early childhood
classrooms in the 21st century: Using computers to maximize learning. Young
Children, 55 (1), 12-18.
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Te whāriki: He whāriki
mātauranga ngā mokopuna Aotearoa: Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Pratt Prairie, A.
(2005). Inquiry into math, science and technology for teaching young
children. United States: Thomas Delmar Learning.
Hi Sarbjit
ReplyDeleteYour reflection was very interesting, I also recognised your personal learning gained during this experience with the children. Making children explore real materials is a valuable learning which will stay with them in their life-long learning. You have also made them realise the importance of nurses and doctors in their lives and the community.
Through our reflections we are able to discover how we can further extend children's knowledge. Reflecting deep within ourselves we are able to find out how our teaching has impacted their leaning and dispositions.
Kapai
Sarbjit, it was good to read your personal reflection on a different technology and how you have provided opportunities for children to explore through the real materials. Through this learning experience children developed many different types’ abilities and they also came to understand the very important roles that doctors and nurses play in people’s lives and how they help them. They also got to use the equipments that you offered for their learning and they got to be creative and have dramatic play within themselves. It was good to see that you as an educator scaffold children’s interest and learning. It is also great to see that you explored through various literatures to get a better understanding on technologies. In general your reflection on this learning experience that you provided for children was decent. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHello Sarbjit it was good to read your personal reflection. I was able to view your learning process which you gained through this learning experience while working alongside the children. It was good to read that you gave children an opportunity to explore the real materials and through this I think you have made them realise the significance of nurses and doctors in their lives and what role they play in the society. It was good to read that you scaffold children’s learning. Good use of reference this shows that you have viewed lots of sources to get better understanding around technology. I guess through this you might have got a chance to enhance children’s learning towards technology and might have got an opportunity to gain your general knowledge towards technology which will help you in the future. Overall your reflection was good. Tino pai.
ReplyDeleteSarbjit, it was good to read through your reflection about how you promote technology in the family corner in your early childhood setting. Technology is used in all areas of an early childhood centre and it was nice to see your example about using technology in the family corner. Often children would not be aware of it so it depends on educators to enhance their technology by providing resources. I liked the part where u mentioned about providing real materials for children to use and play as this allows children to get a feel of technology used in hospitals and in our generation. You as an educator have also discussed about the children gaining certain skills which shows that you are aware that they are not only playing but learning alongside their play. I was just wondering, did children also dress up like doctors and nurses? Over all very good, extending children’s interest is very important. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarbjit
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read your reflection on a different type of technology children love to pretend act like an adults. As an educator, you encourage children to use doctor’s equipment and to be a doctor. You encouragement can lead to become a doctor or nurse. Children can think about how important doctor and nurse are in our real life. Children learn new things fast and explore their world with their own way. It was nice to read your centre keeping the doctor’s equipment in the family corner. As Te Whāriki states that children should experience where there emotional well being is nutured (Ministry of Education, 1996). Using these types of technology gives confidence to reach their goal. Children use verity of technology for their different purpose as they explore their world. Tino pai.