- Definition
Animation is making still pictures look like they're moving by showing them one after another very quickly, like a flipbook or a cartoon.
A flipbook showing a flower growing is an animation because each page shows the flower a little taller.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Animation is like a flipbook where each page is a tiny bit different, making the picture look like it's moving when you flip them fast.
Ask your child: How could you make a stick figure look like it's waving?
Common mix-up: Kids may think animation is just a moving video, like filming a real person. The key idea is that animation creates movement by showing many still pictures in a row very quickly.
Examples
- Using clay figures and taking a picture after each tiny movement to make them look like they are walking.
- Making a toy car appear to drive by itself by moving it a little at a time and taking a photo of each new position.
animation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
