GoPro for Kids : Fun Experience

They say that life is best seen through the eyes of a child. Children are filled with such innocence and wonder, that they simply see the world for what it is. They don’t make judgments or overthink things like we adults do.

Given their innate optimism, you’d think that kids can’t see the world any better than they already do. Oh, but they can- using a child-friendly and sturdy camera/camcorder. With a good digital camcorder attached to its head, a child will be able to capture the essence of all the physical beauty of life surrounding him.

Sturdy

We’re talking about the GoPro camera or simply GoPro. GoPros are small and wearable, waterproof and shockproof cameras that you won’t have to worry a single bit about your child mishandling and eventually breaking it. They’re just about as durable as your little boy’s Lego blocks, and will last well until your kid’s teen years.

GoPros have had their fair share of fame; featured on Mythbusters and even Sarah Palin’s show….so famous are they that seagulls are stealing them thereby taking part in filming. Here’s one video of a seagull stealing a GoPro one night in Cannes:

Benefits of Video Recording / GoPro / Filmmaking

While not directly handling a camera, having a GoPro somehow gives children an experience about video recording and probably filmmaking. Would have been a good experience to try the Children’s Film Unit….a unique British film production unit which offered children from the ages of 10 to 16 the opportunity to learn about all aspects of filmmaking, and to participate as part of the crew in the making of professional-quality feature films (wikipedia). How do they benefit from all these? Here’s some:

Being Observant

Kids become aware of their surroundings when they record a video, looking for interesting objects to film or record. They would include clips that would go well into their storytelling as how they have seen movies to be.

Empathy and Patience

Some scenes may not be what kids want to capture, this teaches them patience and they learn how must it have been for other who are making films. They would know how it could be frustrating for filmmakers, how much effort they put into finishing a movie, and they would appreciate the work done behind the scenes.

Teamwork

While a child can be alone recording, he would need help from others – editing the entirety of a recorded video can take time, and they have to rely on adults to do this, although learning film editing early  can be beneficial for them too, giving way for the possibility of developing a love for this art.

A Bigger Picture

There’s so many factors one can learn about video making, and a child would be able to see all things involved in one when they get their hands to work on it.  It gives them a bigger picture of how putting one and one together, of how sequences go, and they can think to themselves scenarios that might happen in real life they can integrate into film. Their imagination works at its best.

Confidence

Getting something accomplished boosts a child’s confidence – as it would with adults. Seeing that they can do something by themselves, albeit as a beginner, kids can develop a good feeling about themselves and giving them a purpose to do something worthwhile.

Next time you head off for an adventure, consider having a GoPro camera capture your memories. The resident geek at home, a.k.a. hubby, always had fun with it, he would strap it on his head whenever we’re out but the kid is not to be undermined, he also has his share of fun to show! (Will upload those soon!)