Young children encounter light and shadow from birth and light and shadow investigations are a natural fit for infant and toddler classrooms. Educators can support infants and toddlers’ exploration of light and shadow phenomena that occurs naturally and/or provoke infants and toddlers’ exploration with natural and human-made light sources. Through observation, educators discover what infants and toddlers are naturally drawn to investigate and the kinds of problems that they create for themselves when engaged in play with open-ended materials. With careful planning and creative use of materials, light and shadow is a STEM center that is inexpensive, accessible, and where early learning standards can be easily addressed.
Photos and video from classrooms where light and shadow experiences were introduced to children 8 weeks to 36 months will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to explore materials that can be used to introduce light and shadow to infants and toddlers.
Workshop format: face-to-face
Length of workshop: 3 hours
Number of participants: limited to 24
To view the experience sheet for this workshop, please click here.