The design of our picture cards
For the past six months or so we have been working on finialising the design of our picture cards for Young Intro. We are planning to pilot, using our cards, in kindergartens with children aged 2 to 6 years old. Our pilot will be organised in the county of Nordland, which is located in the north of Norway.
Here is the link to the post about the design of the picture cards, written by the illustrator, Emelie Wiklund. https://www.emeliewiklund.se/youngintro
The idea about the picture cards is centered on the pedagogy of how children learn. Children learn through play and interaction with others - through using their imagination and creative abilities, through negotiation and communication, and exploring the world. The importance of play is to develop social, emotional and cognitive abilites. Using Young Intro picture cards is meant to be fun and inclusive, and for children to want to spend time off-line - actively engaging and interacting with others.
The social aspects of learning in children includes exploring their feelings and to express themselves in interaction with others. Through running, skipping and climbing they develop their motor skills, including coordination and balance, developing their physical abilities. Cognitive abilities involves problemsolving, creating, experimenting, learning and remembering, as well as thinking and planning.
From the age of 3 children show interest in the activity of roleplay, for instance in pretending that they take the role as a doctor or a hairdresser. And they might also show the ability to tell a vivid story about events that have never happened, which is a clear expression of imagination. At the age of 4 they develop an understanding of the concept of time, and often ask many questions beginning with “why”. Often they will show an interest for predicting what happens next, like in storytelling. And at the age of 5 children like to express thoughts and feelings through drawing, and are able to draw complex shapes, such as diamonds, triangles and stars. They might also engage in storytelling to tell others about their own experiences.
In Young Intro we are planning on facilitating activities such as storytelling, roleplay and drawing in groups with children. The idea is to allow children to choose picture cards that they want to talk about, and engage them in expressing their thoughts and feelings on various subject. For instance, what they see as important personality traits in various occupation. How should a teacher behave and act towards children for them to feel safe in her class, and school? And what are examples of tasks for a fire fighter in his job? Children may use roleplay in expressing what they see as important in the job as a teacher, or a fire fighter. And a fisherman might also be a woman - and what does that job involve?
Here's a fact that you might not know. In northern Norway children as young as 6 years old earn money in the fishing industry. Their task is to cut off the tongue of cod fish. An important skills is being able to handle a knife, safely and efficiently. Fried cod's tongue is a delicacy here. For real …
In using creative drawing, children may be asked to draw themselves when they feel happy, or sad. Or to use storytelling in creating an imaginary story about a girl who is going to start school - how does she feel? Is she excited? Or about experiences that they have had for the past week, at home or with friends. Children are impulsive at heart and might find it easier to use body language in expressing their emotions. For instance, through expressing an acitivity of their interest that makes them happy and excited - like dancing, singing or riding a bicycle.
These are only examples for activities. The opportunities for self-expression with the picture cards are endless.
We are very excited, and looking forward to start piloting! :)
Sources:
NI Direct, “How play helps children’s development”
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how-play-helps-childrens-development#toc-0
Raising Children, “Thinking and play: Preschoolers” (20.12.2022), https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/play-preschooler-development/thinking-play-preschoolers#about-preschooler-play-and-cognitive-development-nav-title
