It’s Monday! We hope you had a wonderful weekend and were able to make time for self-care. As teachers, we have been thinking, reading, and discussing mental health for adults and children while we are all under additional stress. One theme that keeps coming up is making sure adults take a moment (or more!) for self-care on a regular basis. Where are you finding those moments for yourself these days?
Revisiting light and shadow: Where can you find shadows?
One of the hallmarks of the preschools and infant-toddler centers of Reggio Emilia is the projects that evolve over long periods of time. Some people use the image of teachers and children tossing a ball back and forth to describe the way themes and threads emerge. Today we are curious about how children’s theories of light and shadow may have changed or evolved since our previous invitations. It’s especially challenging doing this work when teachers and children are not in the same place, so we are offering new takes and extensions of certain ideas so children can revisit them.
Find a clipboard or other portable flat surface and clip on a piece of blank paper. Your child will also need a pencil or pen. Ask them to carry the clipboard around and stop when there is an interesting shadow on it. Can they draw the shadow? Is it still like the ones we made using a flashlight, or does it move? Why might this shadow move?
Art Invitation: Exploring NCMA Kusama’s Light of Life
In 2018, Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit at NCMA was extremely popular. Her work “Light of Life” is very accessible for young children. This NCMA page has photos of the work and interesting ideas for bringing it to life at home.
This invitation to explore a famous contemporary work of art expands children’s ideas about creative expression. The activities from NCMA are opportunities to build large and fine motor skills.
Science Invitation: Moving light with mirrors/ experimenting with reflections
Kusama’s work and the light/shadow invitation explore concepts related to light and reflection. In this invitation, give your child a small, handheld mirror or other item with a reflective surface. Ask them if they can find ways to reflect light using the mirror.
We’re hoping this invitation engages children’s curiosity in light and the possibilities of reflection.
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