The Language of Photography

Fawood and Curzon Nursery Schools are in Stonebridge and Harlesden; these are areas with some of the highest levels of deprivation within the London borough of Brent U.K. This urban environment has a diverse population representing a rich cultural, religious and ethnic mix with 65% (on average) of children speaking English as an additional language, this year there are 16 languages being spoken by families. The schools have specialist places that support young children with learning needs and the highest incidence of need is speech/language delay and social communication.

The children have been exploring their environment and local community through photography. The children are aged 3 and 4 years old. In the Nursery, the children are enabled to use the camera to wander and explore, making decisions about what and where to take photographs. They spend time at the computer describing and selecting their favourite photographs to print out and share on the photo-wall in the nursery.

We all perceive the world differently. Children’s photography enables them to express and share how they see the world and what is important to them; their interests, feelings, fascinations, questions and more. The camera gives the children a voice, it enables us to see the world through their eyes. 

When using the camera, the children are naturally curious, they look from different viewpoints. They use the camera to look up, down, in and through.  

They focus the camera on details, objects, spaces, themselves and those important to them. They capture movement and they experiment. Children’s photography is fascinating, insightful and full of surprises! 

As part of the photography project, parents and carers are invited to join their children in taking a photo-walk to explore their local community through photography. The children’s photographs reveal their awareness of their environment and their ability to capture the beauty within it. On the walks, they make connections with their local community which creates a sense of belonging and ownership. It is important that young children build relationships with their community and develop empathy for the world around them. This is fundamental to their role as future citizens and caretakers of the planet. 

The following photographs were captured by the children on a photo-walk with their parents and carers in their local community.