Light it up

This week we explored shadow puppetry in class.  Shadows and light are facinating for even the youngest baby, and of course the older your child gets, the more they will be able to explore this exciting medium.  

For this blog post, I want to focus on different materials to consider using when playing with shadows.  

FLASHLIGHTS:

The best flashlights to use for shadow puppetry are those with a rounded lens, like this one.  They are not always the most common brand at the store, but if you search for Cree or Rayz you will find some affordable options.  

Avoid flashlights with multiple LED bulbs (looks like a dozen or so bubbles under the lens) because they will distort the light and make blurry shadows.

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The lights listed above are all LED, which are pretty bright.  Great for making shadows, but your baby could hurt their eyes by shining the light directly into their face. Traditional bulbs are lower lumens and safer, and you can make them even dimmer by putting in some partially-used batteries.  Plus, you can find traditional bulbs in fun child-friendly shapes and colors.


 

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PUPPETS


I like making shadow puppets with colored cellophane or construction paper cut into geometric shapes.  You can also make them out of foamy stickers that are already in an interesting shape by just adding a stick.  

If you're interested in purchasing some shadow puppets, Moulin Roty has some delightful and durable sets.  

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LIGHT UP TOYS

I love light up objects that can fascinate children by turning a familiar object into something surprising.  

My favorite go-to is an LED juggling ball, but nightlights and other light-up baby toys can create the same effect.  Make sure you choose an item that does not have an exposed bulb to make sure you aren't risking a burn. 



Remember - none of these products are designed for babies, so you should always exercise care when introducing them to your young child.  Always supervise the use of lighting and shadow toys - allow your child to explore and make discoveries, but be watchful in order to avoid the chance of a choking hazard coming loose or a puppet stick being waved around.  

Enjoy these fun shadow/light ideas, and let us know if you have any other products you recommend. 

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