Snap It up! Using Digital Photography in Early Childhood (Using Photos to Promote Student Motivation)

Teachers of young children can use digital photography to build, almost instantly, a sense of community and belonging, promote feelings of security, build children's self-esteem, aid in classroom management, communicate with parents, document children's growth, promote language and literacy, and enhance other areas of the curriculum. There are some prerequisites to implementing the use of digital photography. Besides obtaining a camera and getting comfortable with its technical aspects, it is necessary to obtain photo releases from parents before taking pictures of the children. Photo releases typically include a statement about how pictures will be used and where they will be displayed. Teachers should be sensitive about photographing children with special needs, children who are enrolled in Head Start, or children whose religious or cultural backgrounds prohibit facial images. It is particularly important to have permission if the photos may be made public in a newsletter, on a Web site, or for other purposes outside the classroom.