This also enhances the colors and provokes your little one’s imagination The light table makes the visuals the main feature of whatever lesson your child is learning. The lighted surface draws kids in and enhances the learning process.They are versatile teaching and learning tools that can be used for open play, academic learning, sensory integration, and scientific discovery.Here are some of the ways kids' light tables conform to Montessori principles, along with some of the greatest benefits your child will get from using a kid's light table: Kids light tables check all these boxes by providing an age-appropriate platform where kids can express themselves and learn new concepts at their own pace. The Montessori method is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaboration. How does a kids light table conform to Montessori principles?

Preschool settings will often have larger kids’ light tables while smaller ones and DIY ones are commonly used in homes. Kids light tables can either be big, full-sized tables with elaborate lighting systems, smaller tables with simple controls, or DIY creations.

Such light tables have become quite popular in preschools all over the world. Although it is commonly used in drafting, things like artwork, photography film, and x-rays can also be viewed or worked on using light tables.Ī kids light table takes this idea and simplifies it to create a surface that kids can use to develop certain skills and learn more about the world around them. It is used to view things that are placed on it in high contrast. It is a translucent surface that is illuminated from behind. Here is a detailed look at kids' light tables, how they work, and some of the best activities you can do with them.Ī traditional light table is basically a horizontal light box. They encourage the development of a wide range of skills, including fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, pre-writing skills, color recognition, and more! That’s not all kids light tables create lots of opportunities for activities and learning that kids can take advantage of. This explains why whenever there is one in a classroom setting, it instantly becomes everyone’s favorite feature in the room. When a child sees one for the first time, their eyes light up and they just can’t top looking at them. They never fail to mesmerize children with their soft glow and dancing colors. I anticipate making some changes as the furniture that has been ordered for my class begins to arrive (sometime in September) and I am able to observe how the children view/use the space.Kids light tables have become more and more popular over the last decade. I went through a few placements before settling on what I have now. I then set about drawing some floor plans to give myself an idea of how the room might flow and to figure out what made sense based on where preexisting elements (sink, windows, doors, outlets, etc.) were located. In preparation for set up, I spent some time making a list of the centres I wanted to have in my classroom.

There is a strong PLN network online which you can access by searching #kinderchat and #ReggioPLC. If you aren’t on Twitter, I highly recommend joining if you are interested in connecting with other like-minded educators. This year I’m returning to the classroom at a new school (closer to home, yay!) with a ton of ideas I’ve collected from the books I’ve recently read and the conversations I’ve been able to participate in online via Twitter. As you may know from reading my About section, last year I was at home on maternity leave after the birth of my second child.

Ideas for light table preschool