Tapped-in teachers use digital cameras to bring everything from science to history to learning ABCs to life.
It works because digital photography is so much fun, and it motivates kids to observe, focus, and see schoolwork
with new eyes. Learn how you can use your digital camera to reinforce learning at home.
Digital photography is for learning
Chances are, your child has been exposed to digital photography through classroom projects. Whether documenting
science experiments, creating photo essays for social studies, or exploring mathematical concepts, many teachers
have discovered that the digital camera is a powerful tool for learning.
Kids learn best when they're actively engaged—doing things—and digital photography is a perfect match
because it's hands on, something kids can do themselves. Plus, digital photography offers a fun way to tackle
difficult subjects, and taps into different learning styles.
You can take advantage of these strengths at home, too. Help kids
get started taking pictures,
and watch their creativity—and motivation to learn—grow.
Younger children need help making the leap between abstract ideas and the actual things they represent. Digital
photography can help bridge this gap.
Go on a picture hunt to bring learning into everyday activities. Each time you go out, have your child focus on
a single subject. Here are a few to choose from:
Shapes: Triangles, squares, octagons—go out for a walk and have your child take
pictures of all the triangles she sees.
Colors: What is red? A stop sign? A fire engine?
ABCs: Have your child snap from apple to zipper (or ziti or maybe your
zirconium jewels!)
Textures: Soft might be clouds, or your child's favorite stuffed animal.
Beloved people: Grandma, grandpa, her best friend at school, her teacher.
Your child will enjoy taking pictures of everyone special in her world.
The bonus is you'll have a wonderful window into how your child sees the world, as well as precious pictures for
a scrapbook or album such as those available free from the
HP Activity Center.
Once your kids enter the upper elementary grades, and on through middle and high school, count on lots of reports
and projects to complete. Here's how the digital camera can assist:
Science: Science experiments require step-by-step documentation, and with a
digital camera, young Einsteins can capture every phase of the action. Perfect for science fairs, too.
Have kids practice by photographing a sequence of steps, such as boiling pasta or making cookies.
History: By photographing historic sites and artifacts in your community,
kids will discover that the past shapes their world.
English and language arts: Today's book reports have morphed to PowerPoint
presentations. Digital photographs add visual depth and interest to these efforts.
Math: Make math concepts real with digital images. Fractions (half a pie, a
quarter cup of milk); geometric shapes (an equilateral triangle over the court house doorway, for
instance)—these help kids see math outside the classroom.
Kids are fascinated with digital photography and cameras. Feed their enthusiasm with more ideas from the
Kids & Digital Photography section.
For printing with kids, check out
HP's line of compact photo printers.
The HP Photosmart A636
is small, can be used straight from your camera's memory card without a PC, and is equipped with an easy-to-use touchscreen,
stylus and more than 300 creative elements, such as clip art, frames and borders.
Learn more
about everything HP compact photo printers can do!
Printable version
