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It's no surprise that kids see the world in a whole new way.

It becomes even more evident than when they're let loose with a digital camera.

Time was when the cost the family camera - and film - made it difficult to decided whether to hand it over to the young ones. But as digital cameras become cheaper & easier to use, more kids are getting involved in photography at an earlier age than ever before. (Also watch for the upcoming Kid-Tough Camera being introduced by Fisher Price this year featuring a rubber housing that is more apt to bounce than break).

When first introducing any kind of camera to a child, expect to see lots of out-of-frame or fuzzy shots at first, but it won't be long before their wild creativity becomes fully focused.

This is partly due to how kids see the world - and partly due to how the world sees them. For example, adults at a party or family gathering often get that "deer in the headlights" look whenever they're around an adult with a camera. But they'll take little notice of a camera in young & inexperienced hands.

The result: pictures taken effortlessly by kids are the same highly-valued candid shots that even professionals often work hours to capture!

In the classroom, meanwhile, more and more teachers are coming to use digital cameras as a favorite digital teaching tool. Young students may merely see it as a fun activity whenever asked to take pictures of the natural world around them - trees, leaves, toads, birds, clouds or sky. But perhaps the most valuable lesson is the one that parents are learning.

Namely, how digital cameras keep little hands and minds fully occupied.

Photo assignments have become the new favorite rainy day activity in some households. It's also a good way to keep bored passengers amused while on vacation or long road trips - scavenger hunt style. For example, how many red cars (trucks, pickups, Volkswagons) can your kids shoot from the back passenger seat in a single day?

Elsewhere on the Web, discover additional ideas for more kid-friendly projects for home or school, along with related photo examples, tutorials, tips & related advice on ways of putting digital cameras in the hands of creative kids ...

PCWorld.com - Digital Focus: Photo Projects for Kids - A few good, simple photo projects for the younger set including ideas for photo journals, mystery photo contest, and "Reporter of the Day" classroom project.

Using a Digital Camera in the Classroom - Excellent tips for sparking creativity in class as well as building self-esteem, and learning more about science, art & nature with cross-curriculum lesson plans plus special education projects.

Taking photos with kids: getting started - From HP Digital Photography Center comes this highly recommended tutorial on choosing a kid-friendly digital camera, teaching the basics and encouraging creativity with great ideas for learning fun.

Adobe Digital Kids Club - For teachers of older kids with dozens of ideas for projects, day trips and more, plus tasks using related software for additional fun in the classroom.

Teaching Digital Photography: Showing Kids How to See With the Camera's Eye - In-depth online teaching course from YouthLearn on how to introduce the digital camera to kids including basic features & techniques, tips on handling and focusing, & suggestions for fun home or classroom projects.

Related Article -> Buying A Digital Camera for Your Kids

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