• Home
  • About Us
    • Disclosure and Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Archive
    • Unschooling
    • Parenting

Exploring Light | Day 17 – 30DaysTYP

April 18, 2014 By Racheous

10268354_10151992772556524_508661785_ncontains affiliate links

exploring light natural artificial

Natural Light

Explorations with sunlight are often overlooked. From simply observing shadows to discovering the reflective qualities of a watch, disco ball, CD, or mirrors outdoors can fascinate, engage and ultimately teach a child a lot about the word around them.

shadow learning

Exploring sculpture with coloured transparent materials is a unique and beautiful way to learn about light refraction and coloured shadows. We love these size and colour cubes which are gorgeous, strong, vibrant and open-ended resources.

light refraction sculptures cubes transparent

Similarly, our transparent 3d geometric solids (here on Amazon) are incredible both in natural sunlight and on the light table. These are lovely, high quality, fill-able educational resources. We love them as an educational sensory material. They are the perfect introduction to the concept of volume relationships. These see-through coloured geometric solids are a great hands-on learning tool to explore 3 dimensional geometry.

transparent 3d geometric solids sun light

A simple exploration of colour and light is to fill clear containers with coloured water on a white surface near a window:

coloured water light refraction

 

Artificial Light

What’s the big deal is with light tables? For me, it’s primarily about sensory exploration and adding another dimension to play & learning. My favourite element being that they can sometimes see through the art/experiment/play materials which allows for further exploration and engagement.

I was lucky enough to find our light table second hand. There are some budget DIY versions detailed on Pinterest. I know several friends and readers who have a light panel and adore it.

I got our light table when Cameron was a toddler. It would be impossible to show you all of the great opportunities and experiences we have had with light, so bare with me while I let the photos do most of the talking:

light
Shapes on the translucent geoboard (or Amazon US)
Constructing with coloured plastic shot glasses from the dollar store
Water colour painting
Blowing bubbles in coloured soap mixture
Spraying coloured vinegar on baking soda
Building with transparent Magnetix

xrays lightWe love exploring x-rays on our light panel (tuck in the table legs and place upright).
This is perfect for both pretend doctor play and for learning about anatomy.
You can purchase these here in Australia, or on Amazon:


light, shadow, reflection, reggio, light table, ipswich art museum

The most popular post I have written on light is Exploring Light, Shadow & Reflection and has many inspiring ideas for light exploration and discovery based learning with artificial light.

It’s great to remember that artificial light exploration doesn’t have to include light panels or tables, or overhead projectors. Add reflective materials (disco balls, CDs, mirrors, etc) to a basket with a torch and you have an invitation for an engaging and meaningful learning experience.

ohp, play, learn, overhead projector

I love that the overhead projector super-sizes the light experience and can even transform an entire play area into a new ‘world’ with projected backdrops or a large shadow puppet theatre.

Task:

  • Considering your child’s interests and how they like to play, what kind of light exploration could you create for your child?
  • Gather together some reflective materials, some small mirrors if you have some to create an exploration using natural light.

Feel free to share your photos (no matter what day!) on Instagram with the hashtag #30daystyp and/or on my Facebook page.

30 Days to Transform Your Play series

Here is the rest of the 30 Days to Transform Your Play series

Like this? Please share!

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

You may also like:

Light Play Ideas Montessori Gifts for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers light, shadow, reflection, reggio, light table, ipswich art museumExploring Light, Shadow and Reflection | Reggio Inspired Learning

Filed Under: Transform Your Play

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Comments

  1. Cristina @ Montessori en Casa says

    April 25, 2014 at 1:31 am

    Beautiful post and gorgeous pictures! I’ve already pinned it to do some of these ideas. :)

  2. Betsy @ BPhotoArt says

    April 19, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    Great ideas :) … I am pinning this for later!

  3. Dee says

    April 19, 2014 at 4:43 am

    What a wonderful set of activities — thank you for sharing!

  4. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    April 18, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    It looks like you guys have so much fun learning at your house! I like the light play because it adds a new way to look at things.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something in particular?

Get an email every time I publish a new blog post

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Sign up to our newsletter!

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in