Many parents hand a camera to their kids when they are 14-ish, but have you thought of handing one to them sooner? Maybe around 2 or 3? My little 5 year old can’t put his camera down. He loves it!
There’s many options for the type of camera—I’m not recommending you go out and buy a $2000 dslr for your little one. I found one of my wife’s old childhood cameras that still works. There’s disposable cameras or if you have an out dated digital point and shoot, that works great too. Though if you do want to go all out, I would recommend getting an instant camera.
Sure it’s a little more money than the other options, but your kid will go nuts! There’s something about taking a photo and then holding that same photo in your hand, moments later.
The object of putting a camera in your child’s hands early, is to encourage creativity. Let them shoot what they want, at first it may be hard for you to not think they’re wasting money. Get over it, you’re not appointing them as the family photographer. Compare buying film to buying construction paper.
Well if you simply just can’t get past the cost of film, consider handing down your old digital. They can shoot until the card is full, then let them pick 5 photos you’ll print.
All in all letting them have the freedom to take pictures of whatever they want, allows them to be in control…a chance to express themselves…a chance to capture something they like, something that makes them laugh, something that makes them smile.
Go ahead try it, see how much fun they have.
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