Children Using Flowers on the Light Table in My Home Daycare Setting

Hello, fellow educators.  Today, we are looking at playing with flowers at the light table.  Early August, the garden was in full bloom.  With an assortment of flowers in our garden, I placed some of these beauties on the light table.  I gave no instructions to the children but watched with glee as they manipulated the flowers in their unique way.

Flowers on the Table –

There are noticeable differences between the flowers on a lit table versus an unlit table.  See the pictures below

1.  Without the light on

2.  With the light on

Some educators ask, what are the benefits of this kind of inquiry?  Years ago, I was one of those educators who believed in more worksheets than creative learning.  However, something inside me wanted to relive my childhood, and I sought knowledge about those early years’ inspirations.  I now use that creative, hands-on learning approach in my home childcare business.  Here are some learning opportunities for playing with flowers on a light table.

Learning Opportunities of flowers on a light table:

• Make learning fun – finding joyful ways to engage children
• Mathematics  – measuring, sorting, arranging, and stacking the flowers
• Color recognition – creatively learn different colors and hues from flowers.
• Sensory exploration – how each flower feels, smells, and fresh flowers versus dried flowers.
• Building language – learning about the types of flowers and their anatomy
• Nature – learning alongside nature helps children build more interest in their natural environment.  These flowers were taken from our pollinators’ garden.  The children are stewards of this garden that feeds the butterflies, bees, and birds – especially the hummingbirds, goldfinches, and chickadees frequently visiting our yard.
• Science – observing the flowers wither over time.  Learning about the different parts of flowers
• Creativity – experimenting with floral arrangments and imaginative play

Here is an example of problem-solving

Problem-solving how to fit the stem of the flowers in the small vase.

Building patience and solving problems – she peeled back some leaves, which allowed the flower to fit in the vase.

Can another flower fit in the vase?

Creativity and Imagination

She placed a blade of fern leaf in the middle of a small sunflower and a large sunflower.

Side note – If you are seeking funds to acquire materials or furniture for your classroom, try asking your clients.  The parents of the children awarded us this beautiful light table – my clients.  This light table is one of our most loved pieces to explore with.

How can you acquire a light table for your home daycare?

• In your following newsletter, mention to your families that you are seeking funding for a light table their children will use.  Ask each family if they can contribute fifty dollars and $50 and give them at least two months to get the funds.
• Have a potluck Autumn picnic and charge the families $50 each.
• Charge a yearly supplies or materials fee and put that towards your yearly furniture budget.
• Make an Amazon wish list and send it to your relatives or friends.
• Have fundraising – some catalogs allow home daycares to do fundraisings.
• Lastly, increase your tuition rate – this may be something to consider 🙂

Until next time, I am Miss Sue, a fellow home educator in the trenches with you. Have fun playing, exploring, and learning alongside your children.