Why photography is the perfect form of creative therapy

If you’re looking for some new creative activities to try with the children in your care, why not encourage them to start taking their own photographs? Photography can be a very effective form of art therapy: it provides them with a heathy and creative way to express their feelings and encourages them to explore the world in a new way. Plus, children naturally gravitate towards technology and screens, meaning they'll no doubt love spending time experimenting with a camera or smartphone. 

Why does photography make such a great activity for kids?

• It encourages them to appreciate the world around them – you've probably heard the phrase, "life looks different through a lens". Well, that's because it's true! When we're taking pictures, we learn to see the world in a completely fresh way, and to focus all of our attention on just one item or object at a time. This can also be a very mindful and therapeutic process that helps children to stop worrying and live in the moment, reducing stress and relieving anxiety. 
• It gives them a creative outlet – photography is an art form and, as such, it allows children to express themselves and act out their emotions in a constructive way. There's no right or wrong way to take a picture, which means that children have complete creative freedom over how they take their photos. This can be very liberating, encouraging little ones to explore their personal creativity on their terms. 
• It can boost their self-esteem – learning any new skill can help to boost a child's self-esteem, but photography can be an especially beneficial activity for this, as there's no pressure to get it "right". Children will also be able to see the physical result of their work and show it off to others, and they'll love getting feedback from friends, family, and carers. Plus, it's a good activity for children who may be anxious about their other artistic skills — for instance, they don't need to be "good" at drawing in order to take some great photos. 

Here are my tips for getting children into photography 

If you’d like to encourage your little ones to start snapping their own pictures, you'll need to find age-appropriate cameras that are suitable for beginners. Ideally, you want something that's affordable, easy to use, and hard-wearing without being heavy. There are plenty of child-friendly cameras on the market, so these might be a good place to start. 

Some child-friendly tablets or phones may also have cameras that area ideal for this. Be sure to fit them with a protective case — rubber styles with handles can help little hands get a better grip. 

There are plenty of exercises and activities you can use to inspire your children too. These are a few of my favourites:  
• Photographic treasure hunt: Give each child a list or picture sheet with some different objects on it and ask them take photos of each item. 
• Portraits: Encourage children to take portraits of each other. Dressing up is encouraged! 
• Colours, shapes, and textures: Give each child a particular colour, shape, or texture — like "red", "soft", or "round" — and challenge them to take pictures of things that match their given word. 

Once your little ones have created their own "portfolio" of photos, be sure to display some highlights as part of a wall display. It can also be a nice idea to ask children to add some captions explaining their photos, and then put them together to create a photo album of their work. 
Photography offers so many benefits for early years children, so it’s certainly worth incorporating some of the activities I've shared here into your curriculum.