Today we had an activity set up outside containing of 4
spray bottles filled with different colours of paint mixed with water, plus a
long piece of paper attached to the fence.
The children were so excited and couldn’t wait to spray this blank
canvas of paper. As they dialogued together questions such as what colour is
this, can I have a turn, and lets change bottles all the excitement that was
happening was positive which in return became a productive outcome of exploring
with colours.
It felt great to observe all four children having fun with
something as simple as a spray bottle filled with different colours. As I stood back and observed the girls
interacting I noticed how enjoyable it was for them and yet they were learning
at the same time. I noticed turn taking,
hand and eye co-ordination, fine motor-skills, science, maths, social skills, questioning
and communication. Te Whāriki
states that children gain experience in using communication technologies such
as crayons, paintbrushes, pencils, calculators, books and computers (Ministry
of Education, 1996, pg 97).
During my discussion with my colleagues we spoke about how
this activity had a hands on approach for the children, and the enjoyment that
they got from sharing it with their peers.
I believe that the children learn more by being interactive; I felt that
it was simple, yet effective and creates an environment where everyone is able
to participate in. Technology in Early Childhood states that using a process
approach to technology (similar to our current approach to the creative arts in
early childhood), it is the ‘doing’ that is important, rather than the
‘product’ (Smorti, 1999, pg 6).
I feel that the children at my centre enjoy being in the
outdoors where they are able to express themselves physically and also
artistically. Personally I enjoyed this
activity as I felt that this method of learning was a positive outcome which aligned
with my own personal philosophy, perhaps because I am a person who believes in
‘doing’ that from my point of view this activity was a pure demonstration of
active learning.
Whereas, I feel that computers sometimes takes away that
aspect of expression and forms a non-responsive way of communication and if anything
becomes more of a one way interaction.
Using Blogs to Enhance Critical Reflection and Community of Practice
states that critical reflection on experiences allows teachers to develop a
deeper understanding of themselves and their students (Yang, 2009, pg 11).
Being at my centre for the past 2 years this has given me a
wide spectrum of ideas that support children’s learning and development with utilizing
colours. During mat time today the
children were able to recall what had happened, and the different colours that
they enjoyed using. This activity also
gave them a chance to scaffold the younger children by showing them how to hold
the spray bottle, pulling the trigger towards them followed by the colour
spraying onto the paper. The younger
children also enjoyed this activity as well, what a great way to utilize the
environment and a beautiful sun shinning day.
Smorti, S. (1999)
Technology in Early Childhood. Early
Education, 19, 5-10.
Ministry
of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whaariki mätauranga mo nga mokopuna ö
Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning
Media.
Yang, S.-H.
(2009). Using blogs to enhance critical reflection and community of
practice. Educational Technology
& Society, 12 (2), 11-21.
Available online from http://www.ifets.info/journals/12_2/2.pdf
I loved spray painting and it is not because I love spraying things but because I am not a very artistic person but painting with spray paint shows me that I can be an artistic person. The outcome was unexpected because and it seemed like it has painted by an artist. It has been a good experience and if I did enjoy it as an adult, then there’s no doubt that children won’t. According to what you have stated that sometime computers take away that expression, it is true but I believe that you will come up with a way to avoid that from happening. One way that I come up with, that we could limit children’s time when using the computer and implemented more hands-on activities just like the spay painting. Overall, you have explained it well and I liked that you are aware of something happened or will happen.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this reflection, as you used an activity I never thought to do with the children. Usually teachers tend to use the paint in the cans, nobody seems to think of using spray bottles which is alot safer.
ReplyDeleteMy centre has also used paper on a fence and given the children free reign to go wild with their painting but they used paint brushes so we had a different experience.
Did you notice any conflict when the children had to wait their turn, or did they patiently wait? Also, I noticed that it seemed to be prodominitely girls painting, could you perhaps try engaging the boys in spray painting by maybe getting the boys to create a vehicle out of a cardboard box and getting them to paint that? Fantastic reflection.
Hi Kalo & Rachael,
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your feedback and yes Kalo I do agree with not being very artist I too am like that and find that this is another way of being creative. I also have thoughts of extending this learning by bringing in a different texture such as a canvas. A colleague of mine at the centre did the same thing but she used paint brushes the outcome was still good but I find that the spray bottles allow the children to use all sensors.
Rachael, yes I did notice a little bit of conflict in regards to other children waiting for their turn. As when the children who are using the spray bottles are enjoying themselves, sometimes they would like to keep going. However, we do remind them of the other children who also need to have a turn. In regards to the boy's yes I did notice that they continued to ride their bikes and run around with their friends. I like that idea of incorporating a cardboard box and turning it into a car and getting them to paint it, that way it will encourage the boy's to interact and allow them to express how they would like to paint it.
Just reflecting I wonder if it would have made a difference if the Male teachers at our center were doing this activity and if it would have attracted the boy's to join in? Hmmm food for thought. Thank you both for your feedback what a great way of enhancing my own learning and development.
Kia Orana mama
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog, and yes I agree with Rachael about not thinking that it’s okay to use spray bottle for painting. Children always enjoy exploring new ideas and I notice that you have learnt a lot from observing the children. All children enjoy being in the outdoors and I think that adult love to be outdoors. It’s always great to implement indoor activities outdoor it gives children a different approach to the activities and learning.
I agree with you about computer taking away children’s “aspect of expression and forms a non-responsive communication” I see that computer take away the children’s privilege to enjoying the outdoor environment and to support their physical development.
This is a great reflection I will take on board your spray painting activity and implement this in my centre. This is also a great communication tool for children, when you hear children sharing and debating their different ideas and the different colours they are using. Diversity is developed through communication and I believe that painting is the best option to foster relationship, communication and peer interacting.
Tino pae whaea Linda
Kia Orana Lyn
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and how you set it up outside because it gives the children enough space to move around freely without bumping into anything.This is great way for children to experiment the colours, tools and also learn the name of the colours. The environment was appropriate for children as they get to enjoy the sun and connect with papatuanuku.
Your activity gave the children an opportunity to work together as a group and work together with the young children, where they interact and build relationship with each other.
Spray painting is a very good way of drawing or painting for the children because they get to develop their fine motor skills and be creative to what make sense to the world around. Spray paint keep kids creatively engaged for hours, help the children discover their inner artist. This is a great way for children to be creative when you set up their activity outside because they can look at nature and paint nature in their own unique way.
Overall you did a marvellous job! Tumeke Lyn