Light in the Attic: Light Table Activities for 2-6 Year Olds - Early

Stephanie Johnston, M.A.T.Phyllis Gates, M.A.T.

Jane Hart, M.Ed.Candace Jaruszewicz, Ph.D.

College of CharlestonN. E. Miles Early Childhood Development Center

Light Play

Sensory stimulation:• Visual perception &

memory• Tactile

Integrates with other curriculum areas• Art• Science• Mathematics

Unique features:• Intangible• Transparence• Translucence

N.E.Miles ECDC/ College of Charleston/ NAEYC Atlanta 11.9.2012

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There's a light on in the attic.

Though the house is dark and shuttered,

I can see a flickerin' flutter,

And I know what it's about.

There's a light on in the attic.

I can see it from the outside,

And I know you're on the inside ... lookin' out.


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» 2005 trip to Reggio Emilia

» Teacher discussion

» Purchased 2 light tables, commercial materials

» Now have at least one in each room (free‐standing & table top

» Growing assortment of non‐commercial materials

» Exploration of standard activities, (e.g., painting) adapted for light table


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» Commercial » Homemade


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» Commercial

» Paddles» Agates» Letters, numbers» 3‐D geometric shapes» Interlocking pieces» Legos®» Magna‐tiles®» Puzzles» Pattern blocks» Tangrams


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» Found & Recycled» Water beads» Plastic crystals» Floral fillers» Microfiche film» X‐rays» Shells» Colored cellophane & tissue» Finger Paint» Glitter & vegetable oil» Old slides» Small boxes» Plastic tubing» Zip‐loc® bags» Jewelry» Hair gel» Glo‐in‐dark festival bracelets

Use choke tube with Toddlers


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» Matching» Patterning» Construction» Cause & Effect

» Close Observation» Tactile Exploration» Tracing/drawing» Layering» Manipulation» Sorting/classifying


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» Fascination with novel materials

» Emerging fine motor skills

» Interested in sorting

» Solitary/parallel players

» Calming for some children


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Sorting


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Symbolic Play


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Construction


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Sensory Play


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» Increasing fine motor skills

» More knowledge about color

» Moving towards cooperative play

» More interest in props


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» Sorting


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Construction


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Patterning


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Exploring Color & Transparency


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» Exploring color & TransparencyN.E.Miles ECDC/ College of Charleston/ NAEYC Atlanta 11.9.2012

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» Confident» Adventurous» Interested in

cause/effect relationships

» Like to think outside the [light] box

» Still using light table materials to strengthen concepts


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Sensory Exploration often proceeds with intent or a plan


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Representational Patterns


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Repeating Patterns


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Geometric Patterns


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Color Study


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Close Observation


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Cause & Effect:Observing Water Beads


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Adding Light to Creative Processes


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Collaborative Work at the Light Table


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Illuminating Detail Work


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» Explorations are developmental & predictable

» Appeals to some children otherwise hard to engage

» Supports all domains

» Produces rich vocabulary & language


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» Demonstration items:

˃ Home made light boxes

˃ Assorted Materials˃ Table Top Light Box˃ Insert

» Online Info Sources:» http://www.teachpreschool.org/» http://www. Rhythmofthehome.com/» http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/» http://www.Strongstart.blogspot.com/» http://www.Graham‐and‐parker.blogspot.com/» http://www.Pinterest.com/


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Documents

Light in the Attic: Light Table Activities for 2-6 Year Olds - Early