Combine imagination with digital media and wonderful things can happen!

A small group of young children in Miss Kim's kindergarten class squealed with excitement as the image of a monarch butterfly appeared on the computer monitor. Their enthusiasm heightened as they each took turns using Adobe Photoshop to modify the colors of the butterfly's wings and add elements — such as trees, flowers, and rocks — to the background of the image. ? "I made it blue!" exclaimed Rachel, as she transformed the butterfly's wing color to cobalt blue. ? "I'm going to draw a purple flower next to it!" added Ryan. "Butterflies like purple flowers." Soon, another girl drew swirling circular lines behind the butterfly to represent the motion of its flight path through the air. "It's flying toward the sun!" she exclaimed, as she quickly added bright yellow to create the sun.

The children continued to work together happily, making endless revisions to the image of the butterfly on-screen. Later, they took turns printing out some of the new images they had created. They collected these prints and made them into books. And with the help of their teacher, the kids added words and original drawings to embellish their computer work.

Digital media, such as computers and scanners, can extend your child's learning in exciting ways. The great news is that you can provide these experiences at home. As technology continues to play an increasingly important role in our society, you can help to ensure that your child's initial encounters with it are positive ones. By choosing to participate in your child's learning about technology, you send the message that digital media is a fun, useful tool.

The best place to start is to use your computer along with things you and your child may already be doing at home. When using digital technology with children — in this case a computer and scanner — consider integrating it with traditional media, such as drawing, books, or paints. New forms of technology are not intended to replace traditional early childhood materials; rather, they can be used along with these materials in developmentally appropriate ways to support and enhance your child's learning and creativity. (This article summary only, to get the full text please login or register and contact admin web. or visit http://search.ebscohost.com)

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