There’s something magical about shadows—especially when they take the form of spooky ghosts. This Light and Shadow Play STEAM Activity introduces preschoolers to the science of light and shadows through playful exploration. By following the Play-Based STEAM System—Prep, Observe, and Guide—you can help children discover how light works while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
Step 1: Play Prep – Create the Ghostly Shadow Area
To set the stage for ghostly fun, create a Shadow Play Area where children can experiment with light and shadows using simple materials.
Materials:
- Flashlight or small lamp
- Ghost-shaped cut-outs (or other Halloween shapes like bats and pumpkins)
- A blank wall or white sheet for projecting the shadows
Create the Atmosphere:
- Dim the lights in the room and give each child a flashlight.
- Place the cut-outs near the flashlight so children can create shadows on the wall by holding the shapes in front of the light source.
Step 2: Play Magic – Observe How They Play with Light and Shadows
Once the children begin exploring the shadow area, observe how they interact with the flashlight and cut-outs.
Key Observations:
- Are they moving the flashlight closer and farther from the wall to see how the shadows change?
- Are they creating stories or scenes with the ghost shapes?
- Are they experimenting with different angles and positions of the light?
By watching them play, you’ll gain insight into their understanding of light and how shadows form.
Step 3: 5-Star Guide – Introduce the Science of Light and Shadows
After observing their play, guide the children through simple STEAM concepts about light and shadows.
Extend the Learning:
- Ask: “What happens if we move the flashlight closer to the wall? What happens if we move it farther away?” Encourage them to experiment with distance and see how the shadows change in size.
- Guide: “How can you make the ghost shadow bigger or smaller? What happens if we tilt the flashlight?” Explain how the angle and distance of the light affect the shadow’s size and shape.
For children interested in storytelling, encourage them to create ghostly tales using the shadow shapes. This blends science with imagination and language development.
Spooky Shadow Play is a fun and educational Halloween activity that introduces preschoolers to the science of light in a playful way. By following the Prep, Observe, Guide system, you allow them to explore shadows on their own terms, stepping in to guide their learning with STEAM concepts about light and angles. It’s a spooky, imaginative way to make learning about science fun!
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