Technologies are
tools and methods in order to help people to solve problem, and scissors is a useful
tool in daily life. It can help us to cut many materials, like paper, cloth,
food and hair. In early childhood centre, it is important for children to know
how to use the scissors. As I have noticed that teachers set up a table for
children to learn using of scissors. They gave same opportunities for all the
children to participate in this activity, and also encouraged and supported
children to have more confident to use scissors. I have observed that a child
was glad about she cut out her favorite picture from a book by using scissors.
I recognized that
using scissors can enhance children’s physical development, and promote
children’s creative skills.
There are many
people think scissors is dangerous for children to use, and they try to prevent
children to use it. However, as New
Zealand
I think that using
scissors can support children’s physical development, to excise the muscles
around their hands and arms. As when children use scissors, they need to open
and close their hands. Then these tiny muscles will build up, and later on it
will help children to grip pencil, brush to draw, write and paint. In their
daily life, children will have ability to hold spoon, toothbrush as well as
cotton stick.
In addition, using
scissors could help children to develop their eye-hand coordination skill. When
children use scissors to cut something, they need to watch the objects, and use
their hands to control the scissors to cut exactly the way they want. “In
exploring physical environment, children gain increasing motor and manipulative
control and skill in using tools and materials safely” (Ministry of Education,
1996, p.98). That is a very hard work for young children, as they need a good
eye-hand coordination skill. In daily life, the eye-hand coordination skill is
very important, as when we eat food, select objects, and pick up something.
More ever, children
can develop their creative skills through using scissors. As mentioned above, I
found that children could use scissors to cut different shapes and patterns,
and we think that scissors acts as a tool for children to express their ideas
and thoughts. As Te Whariki says that “children experience a wide variety of
the materials and technology used in the creative and express arts” (Ministry
of Education, 1996, p.81). So, in the center, we provide some materials to
encourage and support children to use scissors to develop their creative skills.
On the
other hand, it is true that scissors is very dangerous, children must be under
adults’ close supervision to use it. As everyone knows that scissors is sharp,
for early childhood teachers, we need to keep a close eye on children, when
they use the scissors. As Te Whariki states that children need to be kept safe
from harm (Ministry of Education, 1996). In addition, teachers should follow
children’s age to give them right scissors. For example, if children aged 2-3
years old, they just start to learn about how to use scissors. At this time,
the plastic scissors are appropriate for them.
Reference:
Google Image. (2012). Image of children playing with scissors. Retrieved from:
http://www.google.co.nz/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G 1LENP_ENNZ473&=&q=scissors+for+children+
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki
mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of
Education. (2007). The New Zealand
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
I agree with Suzy’s viewpoint about we should provide scissors for children to use. This is very dangerous for children but they do not always deal with hazard and danger situations. However they need to have experience of risk and challenge as there will be challenges in all aspects of life. Risk taking gives children the sense of developing self-care skills to protect themselves by their harm. This is an important factor in their path of learning a technology successfully.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, a child could use his own way to cut a car whereas I did not know how to do it. So once a child has mastered a competency, they will no longer require support and guidance as they can do things by themselves.
I really like your views of how scissors help children’s learning and development. You have covered two benefits of using this technology which are about physical development and creative skill. I agree with you that using scissors could develop children’s physical skill, as I know that children could develop their hand-eye co-ordiation and fine motor skills which are essential in developing writing skill.
ReplyDeleteChildren could express their ideas and thoughts, by cutting different shapes and patterns which could promote their creative skill. Te Whāriki (MOE, 1996, p. 88) states “children develop the ability to represent their discoveries using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them.”
Another issue that you pointed out was that some people think scissors are dangerous for children to use; as a result, they are more likely to prevent children to use them. Personally, I believe that children are competent learners; they are capable to take risk and challenge themselves. What I mean is that children have the capability to work out the strategies/principles of using this kind of technology independently. As Te Wharik (1996) says children need opportunities for independent explorations.
You brought up some good points about using scissors in your reflection. It helps to develop some other skills in other area, such as write, paint, and hold spoon, pencil... which I don’t normally hear. It is good to know that. Scissors cutting also helps physical development, as it involves different muscle movement. I agree with that. You said the small muscle movement, shall we say it also develops fine motor skill? How about eye-hand coordination skill? Do you agree? When children participated in scissor cutting activity, do they develop social skill as well? From what point of view, scissor cutting can foster creative skill?
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you had some concern when children use scissors, as children’s safety is always a big concern in early childhood education. Yes, it can be dangerous if children don’t use them properly or age inappropriate. But we never forget that no risk-taking, no challenging, children will never learn. so adults’ supervision is necessary.
Cutting is a very helpful skill in our daily life. Bur for children it’s quite hard to learn at the first beginning. They don’t know the right gesture to hold the scissors, or how to control the scissors. I noticed that, it’s very hard for a child to cut out a circle.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that children can develop their physical skill by using scissors. Motor skills always need practices. As you said, children need a good eye-hand coordination skill for cutting. Scissors also can be dangerous for children. So I agree that we need teach children how to use scissors safely. For example, I will ask children to hold the top of a scissor by their palms when they pass it to the others.
On the other hand, non-digital technology is also an important part in early childhood centers. It’s really good for children to learn a life skill, which enhances their capability in solving practical problems, and contributes to children’s self-confidence development (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.94). Tumeke!
Kia Ora, Suzy!
ReplyDeleteIt is true what you said about 'many people think scissors is dangerous for children to use, and they try to prevent children to use it'. I was like this when I was first introduced to early childhood education in New Zealand. But through my experiences and studies, I learned that children wouldn't do something unless they are confident that they are safe. Therefore, when children do 'dangerous' movements with scissors, they clearly don't know well enough about scissors. It was good practice that you scaffolded the children to use scissors under your provision.
It was an in-depth thinking of linking eye-hand coordination skill with our daily life of eating food, selecting objects, and pick up objects. Have you noticed, cutting is a good start of children's concept of relative movement!
Tino pai!
I liked the way you linked technologies and the use of scissors with our daily life. I wonder if you mentioned this while interacting with children. I think it would've been a very valuable teachable moment if you did.
ReplyDelete