Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Light Table Training

    Posted 01-16-2019 01:35 PM
    Hello all! 

    We recently purchased two light tables for our school. We are a preschool with students ages 2-5 and would like to use them in the classroom for lessons and activities. 

    I am looking for resources on how to train my staff to use the light table. I have done some research online to try to create resources for my teachers however I think we would really benefit from an in-person training opportunity. Does anyone know of a person or group who has this in their wheelhouse in the Washington, D.C. area? We are located in Arlington, VA. 

    Thank you! 
    Katerine Williams 




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    Katerine Williams
    Assistant Director
    Little Ambassadors Academy
    Arlington VA
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  • 2.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-17-2019 04:33 PM
    A light table is a space for children to explore and play. Teachers should maintain hands off! An adult can intentionally choose materials for children to use in the light table space: loose parts such as opaque or translucent materials, which are truly beautiful when light comes from beneath, such as colorful shapes from maths pattern games. Children are free to manipulate them, talk about colors, move them about, make interesting shapes designs, tell stories when shapes/colors inspire them. Light tables are large enough for two to several children to play, encouraging cooperative play.

    Expressive materials invite children's creativity: tissue paper shapes, small interesting rubber animals of all kinds, people figurines. Keep the space interesting; change the materials or keep containers of loose parts nearby for children to select what they want to play with. Children invent "miniature small worlds" within which to move from manipulative play to dramatic play, giving the figures "voices" and roles. "Mommy says, here comes a dinosaur. Let's invite him in for spaghetti and ask him if he wants to be our pet." 

    With a light table, teachers can ask open ended questions, and never give instructions on how children use it. Unless of course you provide paints, where there can be a few "benign" rules: Today there is a lovely bouquet of daisies on the light table. You will find in the space a small jar of yellow paint and a small jar of green. Place a piece of thin white paper on the light, and paint your own daisy bouquet! 

    Have fun.

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    Gretchen Reynolds
    Ottawa ON
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  • 3.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-18-2019 10:18 AM
    Light tables are wonderful. There are companies out there like Lakeshore,  Kaplan and Discount School supply who have a great variety of items for purchase to use on the light table. Those items usually come with instructions too. Like the other suggestions here though, it is a teachers hands off. It is for exploration and creativity. I have many different supplies to use on the table and rotate them in and out of the room. Our table is small and portable but still very useful in the classroom. I am not a fan of paint on it due to paint is wet and there is an electric plug running to the table, with that said, there are many other craft ideas to be found with tissue paper, markers, things that light would go through, to be done on a light table. I love placing slices of colored geodes and quartz on the table for them to see how these rocks are more transparent than most. There is just so much to do. Enjoy.
    Robin Fox
    Site Supervisor
    Washington Preschool Educare
    Kingsburg, Ca

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    Robin Fox
    Educare Services Inc.
    Kingsburg CA
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  • 4.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-17-2019 05:35 PM
    Congratulations!  You will love them!  There are tons of resources.  Check out Reggio Emilia sites such as Curiosity Approach.  The book Designs for Living and  Learning by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter.  This book has wonderful illustrations with a chapter devoted to light.  Have fun!

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    Cynthia Bohrer
    Director
    Kids International Early Childhood Education Cente
    Ellisville MO
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  • 5.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-20-2019 07:57 AM
    I have a light table and absolutely love it!  I never received any formal training.  At first I bought translucent items for the children to play with.  It was fun for awhile, but then I realized that the children wanted to draw on it!  I purchased a clear plastic table cloth to protect it and then let them draw on paper and even paint on it. I started saving scrap pieces of laminate and put pictures underneath and they traced the pictures on the laminate.  I have even used printer paper on it.  In the fall, we laminate the leaves we find and put them on the table.  Not only do the children observe the leaves, they trace them!  It's a win win!  You will love watching the children play!  I would not worry about any formal training!

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    Ann Giles
    St. Luke''''''''''''''''s Episcopal Day School
    Baton Rouge LA
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  • 6.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-21-2019 10:18 AM
    What I love about this post is that you are following the lead of children!

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    Kelley Arau
    Instructional Coach for Early Childhood Education
    Jackson Hts NY
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  • 7.  RE: Light Table Training

    Posted 01-23-2019 08:13 AM
    Hi all! 

    These are great suggestions - thank you so much! And, I appreciate the child lead inquiries and activities. 

    Cheers, 
    Katerine

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    Katerine Williams
    Assistant Director
    Little Ambassadors Academy
    Arlington VA
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