Exploring Light

The winter months bring darkness.  We go from long days filled with warmth and light to cold, dreary days of darkness. With the winter solstice, the days gradually begin to lengthen again but darkness seems to linger. These are the perfect months to capture and explore light.
I bring out flashlights of all sizes. I place them around the room and they are there to use in dramatic play, exploring under tables and chairs, inside dark boxes and evening taking outside. We use them with mirrors and see through toys and we create shadows with them. We use them to "paint" with lights.
We darken the room and then dance and twirl our flashlights to music as the children paint with the flashlights I take pictures and then we print them and discuss what the light streaks look like.

I place battery operated light strings on tables and allow the children to add loose parts to them and incorporate them into their play.

I change up my light table and light table toys creating new invitations to explore and ponder.

This year I have a black light I hope to add to our exploration.  There is so much you can do with light and light play. Why not do it during the darkness of winter?

Links to explore:

Light Science for Kids
https://buggyandbuddy.com/light-experiments-for-kids/


24 Light Themed Activities to Explore with Children
https://childhood101.com/24-day-night-light-themed-learning-activities/

Mirror and Light Science
https://www.mymundaneandmiraculouslife.com/mirror-and-light-science-experiments-for-preschoolers/