Learning through Our Senses:

Leslie Layman
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

The Light Table

Photo Credit: Tim Holm, Flickr

Did you ever wonder why infants always put new objects in their mouths?

Young children have a natural drive to explore and learn about the world around them using all of their senses. This natural inclination to explore the world through sensory experience makes light table play a fun, rich, and developmentally appropriate activity for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids too!

Photo Credit: Eric Langhorst, Flickr

Light tables are used by artists, architects, photographers, and other professionals to examine plans, drawings, photographs, and X-rays and for professional tracing.

In early childhood education settings, light tables can be used to give children a unique perspective on familiar items, to highlight scientific concepts related to light, and to promote early writing and geometry skills.

Photo Credit: Eric Langhorst, Flickr

Light tables come in box, panel, or table form and can range anywhere from $35 to over $1,000. A less expensive option is to find a used projector at a resale store.

Photo Credit: Jason Hickey, Flickr

Try these light table activities:

Science: Color Mixing

Photo Credit: Creative Children’s Center, Foter

Use clear plastic trays filled with water that has been dyed primary colors with food coloring. Give the children eyedroppers and allow them to mix the colors to see which colors combine and make a new color. Putting the trays on a light table allows children to examine the colors more closely.

Literacy: Pre-Writing Skills

Photo Credit: Powerhouse Museum, Flickr

Lightly dye salt with food coloring, let dry, and place into a clear container. Put the container on top of the light table and give the children a variety of tools (pencil, paintbrush, Q-tips) with which to trace, draw, and write. You can put examples of words, letters, and books in the light table area to support younger children. For an bonus sensory experience, lightly scent the salt with essential oils, and/or allow the children to work with their fingers.

Math: Engineering

Photo Credit: Partnerships for Early Learners, Flickr

Translucent building materials give children a unique perspective on the angles, connections, and shapes that make their constructions work. The 3D constructions will also produce shadows for the children to explore. If your white table has an acrylic or glass surface, children can use dry erase markers to trace their constructions and their shadows.

There are so many fun ways to use light tables! Share your favorites.

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Leslie Layman

Written by

Interested in all things related to early childhood, equity, access, and play.

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