Learning Value:
This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to use large muscles to move and balance own body.
Materials Needed:
- Box
- Flashlight
- Light colored wall or light color sheet hanging on the wall
- Dance music
- Scarves or Ribbons
Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction and ongoing supervision.
Directions:
- Place an open box on its side and cut out a hole through the bottom of the box, close to the floor, big enough for the flashlight to shine through.
- Place the box with the flashlight turned on facing the light-colored wall or sheet. Turn the lights in the room off. (A darker room makes better shadows but it is fine to have some light so you can move safely.)
- Give your toddler some scarves or ribbons and show them how to turn in circles and jump as they watch their shadow do the same actions.
Extension: Video record your child and show them the recording after. Have a conversation about the shadows.
