So here I am again, at my computer in the Midlands supposedly working, while watching the five Cornish Black piglets newly born to Alice this week at Saltash Community School in the south of England.  What a privilege.

( video of the last webcast also  found here )

I saw them just after they were born on Wednesday  thanks to a Twitter invitation from @chickensaltash and shared the viewing with about 22 others from all over the world. Today there have been over 40 globally including quite a few children with parents.  A fascinating  opportunity.

It’s a Twitcam Live Stream, allowing observers to hear  commentary from people involved on site and to hear any responses to questions put to them via twitter, an interactive event for all.

I’ve had a quick look at the new family in between, using the college’s permanent pigcam. There’s also an eggcam showing the activities of the school’s free range hens.  The animals are part of the curriculum for the students at Saltash, and local primary schools. A fantastic resource.

Thanks to the webcams and  more importantly  the willingness of the staff,   the life of these animals can be shared with a wider audience.  Today watchers are busy engaged in suggesting names for the piglets #namethempiggies. The piglets themselves have no interest in this only in eating and sleeping, with a little bit of playing in between

When meeting and working with Early Years practitioners I’ve shared these and other  webcams  sites  which can be  woven into early years setting offering many opportunities

For those with internet access they offer a way of looking at the wider world very closely, often more closely than in real life, (I’m watching a hobby in its nest at the top of a tree in a very strong wind as I write) while providing experiences to talk and think about that are not always immediately available.

It is so important that young children have real activities and experiences, however virtual experiences can supplement and add value to these those.

Here the pigcam giving sight of the piglets all the time, provides a catalyst  to talk about personal and social aspects of learning, covering what might be in some areas be difficulties issues of family, caring,  growth and environment , or they will  compare the way the piglet is developing with their own lives.

Consider also the computer close to the small world farm play after a visit to a farm in spring where children can watch and comment any time as they play. Or, in the entrance area where children and parents can watch together at the beginning and end of the day.

However using twitcam  live stream extends that to allow for dialogue between children and those caring for the  piglets.  There’s a ‘Contact us’ page for those who want to know more and perhaps arrange a twitcam session.

There are many web cam views available on the internet to use. For the role play travel agents why not have a virtual tour of a cruise ship or a look at the weather and view from the bridge  or use some of the  BBC  Coast cams.

Many  schools using bird webcams in spring linked to caring and growing.  Some have their own school based webcams in a nesting box for this purpose.  RSPB have links to some intersting  bird cams.

Another school used the local BBC traffic cams during the big snow earlier in the year when there was lots of conversation about the quantity of snow in different places.  (mathematical language)  The BBC share  quite a  few  other interesting  webcams from around the country  that have value.

Searching for  webcams available around the world, will produce lots,  some more appropriate than others to support activities in the early years setting so always give a good viewing first.

So, time to get back to the Saltash piglets, growing up by the minute. Before my eyes… join me