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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Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2019 01:34 PM
From: Katerine Williams
Subject: Light Table Training
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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