Wednesday 27th April 2011
The babies in my centre love to look at picture books. Our centre director gave us a new shelf to display the books. At first the children enjoyed pulling all of the books off the shelf and onto the floor but now they have gone back to sitting and reading the books. The new book area has really made looking at the books much more inviting. There are lots of cushions and pillows to sit on. Nel (2000) supports this by saying book corners should be inviting, cozy and comfy and include cushions, carpet, couches, and good lighting. I have noticed that the children tend to spend more time in the book corner now that the new shelf is there. The book shelf makes it easier to see all of the books and gives the children a choice of what book they would like to read. Before the shelf was given to us the books lived in a basket. This meant that the books at the top of the basket were the only ones getting read. Now with all of the books displayed on the shelf it means that all the books are being read and the babies have more choice of what to look at.
Books are a great technology for learning. Hammer and Adams (2006) talk about books as providing a medium in which comprehension and decoding can be supported. They go on to state “that the book corner should be well presented, comfortable, and welcoming in order to promote a sense of belonging and ownership for the children” (p. 63).
Somerset (2000) states “Books and stories assist adults to exchange ideas and experiences with children. Pictures remain on the same page and allow time for recall and chatter” (p. 55). Even with babies this can be really effective. The talk isn’t two-way conversation but it gives the teacher a chance to talk about the pictures in the book and provide language. Somerset goes on to say that through the help of books children start to extend their concepts and language. This means that by the time they are ready for school they will have confidence to formal learning.
Books are such a great technology for teaching children. Since the babies are really interested in them at the moment a good way to extend their learning through books would be to make books about the babies. Through the use of a computer, digital camera, printer, laminator and binder I can make books that include photos of the children.
Hamer, J., & Adams, P. (2006). The New Zealand early childhood literacy handbook. New Zealand: Dunmore.
Nel, E. M. (2000). Academics, literacy, and young children. Childhood Education, 76, 3, 136-141.
Somerset, G,. (2000). Work and play in the early years. New Zealand: New Zealand Play centre Federation.
Tino Pai Lucy.
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea to make books for the little ones, so many books are not specifically targeted at them and you can provide books that relate to their interests and use pictures and simple words, and using pictures of the children will keep them interested and make them want to read them over and over.
i never thought of books as a form of technology but as they are essentially a use of technology in a beautifully colourful book. it is a great way to communicate with children and especially ones who have not got the language skills to talk but can express themselves and learn language through books. what a great idea, thanks for sharing.