The term media refers to materials used to enhance the learning experience in early childhood programs. Media provide variety, interest, involvement, and reinforcement. One of the most important things they provide is a chance for a child to develop creativity. The creativity comes when children design, manipulate, and express themselves in media experiences. To serve a number of purposes in the early childhood program, here are some importance of using media:
- They provide variety in the program. Some children’s learning is enhanced when they view a fit or hear a tape. The total early childhood program must meet the needs of a variety of children.
- They provide children with highly interesting learning experiences. Media help children learn facts, learn to enjoy the school setting, and dev op skills—particularly creative skills.
- They get children involved in the creation of materials. Experiences with media involve children in hands-on activities creating materials with cameras, tapes, recorders, and other such hardware.
- d. They build on and reinforce other activities. Working with media allows children to express, as well as practice, what they are learning in yet another way. This helps reinforce a child’s learning.
And through the help of media, here are some activities that can develop creativity:
Movies can be obtained by renting them or on a free loan basis. These movies can then be used to introduce creative activities. Creative dramatics can begin with a movie. The movie can introduce a story and some characters. At the proper time, the movie is turned off, and children take the parts of the characters. The children then create their own ending to the story, painting and drawing their own creative versions.
Taking photographs is yet another way for children to experience their world. It is especially interesting and challenging for children in the middle and upper elementary grades. An interesting approach to photography with upper elementary grade children is to focus on common themes generated by the teacher or the children. Some of these might be: pictures of special people or places, pictures of people or places that make you happy or even unhappy. Children can journey around the school to document the images in their mind’s eye.
Compact discs (CDs) and disc players are becoming more and more common in early childhood classrooms. CDs are played on a CD player, much like a cassette tape is played on a cassette tape player. CDs are also used in computers, providing sound effects and narration on early childhood computer software. Music played on a CD is of a higher quality sound than most cassette tapes. Playing recorded music, then, on a CD is an excellent source of musical experiences for young children.
By: Charito R. Malibiran | Teacher I | Salian Elementary School | Abucay, Bataan
