Scissor
Technology is everything we use around us such as
construction, clothing, tools, computer and machines (Fleer and Jane, 2011).
There are two different types of technology, these are digital and non-digital
technologies. Digital technologies are included computers, ipads, camera and
telephones. Non digital technologies are scissor, tools, books, magazines and
newspapers.
Scissor is non digital technology and it is most useful
cutting tools for children. The uses of scissors are most common in my centre. Our
centre provides scissors for children all the time. We have scissors on
children level so that children can use it whenever they are needed.
Last Tuesday, I was observed children play in art
area and I noticed that child E and F was drawing their favourite masks. After
drawing their favourite masks, they grabbed scissors to cut out the shape. I
noticed child F was very confident using scissor to cut however child E find
hard to use it. I approached to child E and asked him if he need help. He said
“yes” and he wanted me to cut the mask shape for him. I told him that I will
not cut for him but I will show him how to use scissor to cut. I instructed and
demonstrated him how to hold scissor the right way and snip the paper. Smorti
(1999) states that “technology is about helping people and solving problem” (p.
5). I noticed he find hard to hold the
scissor as well as cut on the line, therefore I scaffold him. Santrock (2009)
defined scaffolding as “changing the level of support” (p. 220).
I hold his
hand and cut with him. When he is improved his cutting skills, I gave him less
support by instructed him. When he is become competent using scissor to cut, I
encouraged him to cut it by himself. Vygotsky believe that tasks in the ZPD are
too difficult for the child to perform alone therefore they require support
from adults (Santrock, 2009). I believe educators support children base on
their current performance. For example when the child is learning new task, the
educator may use direct instruction and as the child competence increases, the
educator give the child less support (Santrock, 2009). After I supported him, he became a competent learner
and was able to use the scissor to cut the right way. Vygotsky theory states
that “ZPD tasks are too difficult for children to master alone but that can be
mastered with the assistance of adults” (p. 220).
I believe scissor skills are important for children
to practice because scissor skills require when they enter school. Cuttings
enhance the use of eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, and problem
solving skills. According to Somerset, (2000) cutting promotes fine motor
development by exercising the muscles in the hand and honing hand eye
coordination. When the children use the
scissor to cut, they use their vision, process what they see and then be able
to move their hands while they are looking at paper. According to Te Whāriki (1996) through cutting “children
develop increasing over their bodies, including development of locomotor
skills, non-locomotor skills, manipulative skills and increasing agility
co-ordination, and balance” (p. 86).
Reference
Fleer, M., & Jane, B. (2011). Design and technology for
children. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Australia.
Ministry
of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He
whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning
Media.
Santrock, J. W. (2009).
Life-Span Developmetn. (12th
ed). Americas, New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early
childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.
Somerset,
G. (2000). Work and play in the early
years. Auckland, New Zealand: Playcentre Publications.
Picture
reference
http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?start=121&um=1&hl=en&biw=1365&bih=805&addh=36&tbm=isch&tbnid=B7jVqiNmztI-pM:&imgrefurl=http://www.bellbirdkidz.com.au/shop/product_info.php%3FcPath%3D1_275%26products_id%3D860%26osCsid%3D%255C%255C%255C%255C%255C%255C&imgurl=http://www.bellbirdkidz.com.au/shop/images/123000A.JPG&w=500&h=500&ei=VnU7UIKsLMiciQeFoYHACg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=178&vpy=444&dur=65&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=127&ty=115&sig=110819043908318716485&page=5&tbnh=144&tbnw=144&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:121,i:155
Hi Tinzar! I like your reflection. It is good to see children using scissors with confident as well as helping each other. They are building good relationships with each other. I am so glad to see you, how you instructed and demonstrated the child how to hold scissor in paper cutting. I liked the way how you enabling them the chance to gain hands on experiences in holding scissors and in cutting it. By supporting and scaffolding children will gain more confident and competent learners (Ministry of Education, 1996). It is very interesting to see young children developing a range of technology skills in their learning. For children to embrace the different range of technological resources available in the centre today where as in my past experence there were very few in my school. Thanks Tinzar!
ReplyDeleteTumeke Tinza! I like the idea when children play they teach and learn from each other. Yes, Flee & Jane (2011) are correct that technology is everything around us and it influences our world of learning. I did not know that scissors are group as part of the technology until this session introduced. Your observation captured child E’s need to use scissors and supported him. It is always good to give children opportunities to try first before you offer support like what you did with child E. I totally support Vyogotsky’s concept of zone of proximal development (ZPD) to enable children to cope with difficult task they cannot do alone (Santrock, 2009); they require a skilful person, either another child or adult. Demonstration strategy is okay but not all the time. The children will tend to depend on you to do it for them instead of using their own imaginations and initiatives. Remember, children can raise their awareness of learning different things through technology (Smorti, 1999). It is good to see child E feels confident by the end to cut his musk by himself. Therefore, technology is useful to solve problems and helping others (Smorti, 1999). Tino pai.
ReplyDeleteKai Pai, Tin Zar.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Scissors are very important pieces of technology and are possibly one of the most used tools in early childhood centers. It's good to see that you helped scaffold the child and guided him in how to cut, letting Child E cut the mask himself. This is very important as you should always encourage the children to become independent and do stuff for themselves and they also learn better when they do hands-on experiences. The fact that you were there to guide and help the children was very good for their confidence and for their learning. "Zone of proximal development (ZPD) is Vygotsky's term for the range of tasks that are too difficult for the child to master alone but that can be learned with guidance and assistance of adults or more skilled children" (Santrock, 2009, p. 220).
Once again, very good job TinZar!
Hello TinZar
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection. When I read you remember I now know there are two types of technologies such as non-digital and digital. I never knew that books and scissors are could be part of non-digital technology tool. Yes, I totally do agree with that scissors are most commonly used in the centres. It is good to see your centre provide scissors for children and the scissors are on children level. Therefore children can use scissor at any time they want without asking a teacher to get it for them. By getting scissor by themselves children are building independent skill. It is good to see that you aware of the child E needs however you should have waited until the child approach to you and ask you. You are aware of Vygotsky’s theory and applied in your practice such as you instructed and demonstrated the child how to use the scissor. Most children find it hard to use scissor at first play, however as Vygotsky stated difficult tasks can be learned through guidance. It is amazing to see the child learned fast on how to use scissor. Children do infinitely need learn how to use scissor in the centre because once they go to school they need to learn how to cut things (such as papers) by themselves.