These are the months when Nights meet our daily learning. Winter days bring the darkness, the grayness, and the illumination of lights. Our children love to play the treasured ‘hide and seek’ games, using their flashlights to help find their way. I am fond of having darker rooms and cast shadows while reminiscing on life back in the days; when kerosene lamps and candles glowed, on my face. Memories of my childhood fill the air as I listen to their glee. My heart is filled with the echoes of childhood well spent.
Playing at the light table in a dark room is beautiful – creativity meets imagination and thinking unfolds.
Materials
- acrylic table rings (recycled)
- recycled bottles filled with metallic chains, ribbons, and mesh – bottles courtesy of Califia Farms Almond Milk
- light table (Whitney Brothers)
- translucent blocks (ONP International / TTS)
Playing at a light table helps children’s fine motor skills, creativity, out-the-box thinking – problem-solving. This activity also helps with gentle hands, the softness we scaffold children to have when handling delicate items.
This light table was a gift from my daycare parents it is the Whitney Brothers brand and we LOVE it. The preschooler at the light table stacked the acrylic napkin rings on top of each other and when they fell, she kept building again.
The light table provides many opportunities for learning.
Within this activity are opportunities for learning mathematics – whether it’s counting or talking about shapes, weight, balances, similarities, and differences. A sensory exploration of textures, reflection, and shadows. The fine motor activities of positioning – finger placements and curving of the wrists. Gross motor activities of standing, tipping, reaching, stretching, and bending.
The beautiful hollow blocks at the base of the ring were a splurge from ONP International, I believe they are affiliated with TTS International. I don’t mind an occasional splurge of classroom materials, especially when they are often played with and loved. I stay true to myself by balancing my spending and incorporating thrift items and our favorite recycled materials.
Bottle Lights On
I purchased the bottle lights from amazon (bottle led lights)
To affix the lights to the bottle cap, I added some sticky pad velcro.
Winter can be long – I hope to inspire you with materials we use for simple, joyful learning, even on days when we may feel blah. May your days be filled with slow-down moments – moments of observation, reflection, and intentional breaths.
Whatever you do, do it with love!
Until next time – xoxo Suzette Salmon (Miss Sue)
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