DIGITAL PRESCHOOL DIGITAL PHOTOS

One of the most popular and most effective communication tools that we use is afternoon and morning slideshows of the children. Photos taken during the day are displayed on the computer at collection time. We also show this same collection of photos during the arrival time on the following session. The children watch last sessions slideshow during morning tea and the days slideshow during lunch. The parents discuss their children and the activities they are involved in as they watch the slideshows. We have noticed that this gives the parents something in common to talk about and seems to help the parents form friendships early in the year. Remember there are no extra costs involved in creating slide shows. It takes about 5 minutes to set up the show from the photos taken during the day. Windows XP is extremely photo friendly always downloading, sorting thumbnail views into folders and creating slideshows. If you don’t have XP your camera may come with software for this. Individual slide shows are presented at Parent Interviews twice a year. Allowing parents to see a visual record of their child’s developmental levels, activity choices, level of participation in projects, disposition, social interactions, participation in group activities etc. This gives them a wealth of information and can help justify your reflections and curriculum goals for their child.

Slideshows

At a recent interview a parent was concerned that their child didn’t play with any of the children. I could clearly show her that in nearly every photo taken her child was interacting with others. This put her concerns immediately to rest. Slideshows are also shown at our Pre Enrolment Information Nights. During November we provide an information night to parents who have children enrolled for the following year.
Last year for the first time I presented a slide show of various projects and activities the current children had participated in during the year. The response was extremely positive. Before the children had started the parents were aware of the educational focus of the curriculum and activities their children would be involved in and had positive expectations of the curriculum. After we return from Excursions the parents and children view a slide show of the photos taken during the day. This helps reinforce the memories and learning gained on the visit whilst allowing parents who did not attend to gain insight into what had happened during the excursion. They can see their child was safe, enjoyed the day and gained educationally from the event. The slideshow also gives them a starting point to discuss the experience with their child.

DIGITAL PRESCHOOL

DIGITAL PHOTOS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Slideshows