Have you tried light play in your setting? A simple concept with expansive opportunities for learning, light play can enhance all areas of the EYFS curriculum. In this post, we share our favourite ways to incorporate light play in your everyday.

Create a dedicated light play area

Set up a specific area within the continuous provision (indoor or outdoors) where children can engage in light play. This can be a darkened corner with various light sources such as lamps, fairy lights, or light tables, like our Round Magic Light Table.

Provide a variety of light sources

Offer a range of light sources for children to explore, such as torches, glow sticks, light pyramids, light-up resources, and light panels that can be moved around the provision. This allows them to experiment with different types of light and understand how they work.

Incorporate light into all areas of the continuous provision

Integrate light play into different areas such as the construction area, small world play, or sensory table. For example, children can use light-up blocks to build structures or explore light and shadows in a small world scene.

Encourage open-ended exploration

Allow children to freely explore and experiment with light play materials such as mirrors, prisms, and translucent objects that they can use to manipulate and reflect light in different ways.

Offer opportunities for sensory exploration

Incorporate sensory elements into light play by using materials like coloured gels, textured light panels, or light-up sensory bottles. This engages children's senses and enhances their overall experience.

Provide opportunities for collaborative play

Encourage children to engage in collaborative light play activities. For example, they can work together to create a light show.

Document and display children's discoveries

Take photos or videos of children's light play explorations and display them. This not only celebrates their discoveries but also inspires other children to engage in light play.

How do you incorporate light play in your setting? Let us know on social media!