Light tables and light play ideas are as popular as ever! With great new products and ideas the options are endless. I have been asked what to do with the light table or panel and my answer is always “The options are endless!”
Light tables/panels/pads can be used:
- to explore materials for opacity, transparency, translucency (science)
- to add an extra sensory experience (make regular activities that little bit brighter)
- to enhance art (painting, drawing, tracing, printing, colour mixing)
- to enhance language activities (using letters to make cvc words, practice sight words, recognize names)
- to enhance math activities (sorting, counting, shape exploration)
- exploring and observing anything (science experiments, nature, mirrors)
We got the opportunity to play with this great Ultra Bright LED Light Panel from Quality Classrooms. It is beautifully bright without being too much. Lightweight and portable means you can quickly set it up anywhere in the classroom. If you don’t want to invest in a large light table, a light panel or pad is a great option. It measures 17″ X 24″ which is a good size for little hands and a bevelled edge makes the light seem almost magical.
I set out Light Table Numbers and gems from the Manipulative Kit for the Light Table and let Daisy play.
She organized the numbers in order and sorted the gems by colour.
Rose was also excited to play!
She was more content to enjoy the feel of the gems and the colour, letting them slip through her fingers and drop gently onto the light panel.
Remembering to use the light table for variety of structured and unstructured activities is important. It never fails to add to the activity.
Here are some past activities where the light table has added dimensions:
Light table colour bags to practice letter formation.
Sorting fruit by colour and working on that pincer grip.
Counting with transparent chips and sorting by colour.
Open-ended play, with the First Look Light Table Kit
For more ideas check out our Pinterest board here.