Many parents hand a camera to their kids when they are 14-ish, but have you thought of giving one to them sooner? Maybe around 2 or 3? My little 5-year-old can’t put his camera down. He loves it!
There are different camera options—I’m not recommending you go out and buy a $2,000 DSLR for your little one. I found one of my wife’s old childhood cameras that still work. There are disposable cameras, or if you have an outdated digital point and shoot, that works great too.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 sooner is to encourage creativity. Let them have the freedom to take pictures of whatever they want. Having creative control allows them to express themselves. It will enable them 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.