Discovery Play Activities with Your Young Child: What Makes a Shadow?

Discovery Play Activities with Your Young Child: What Makes a Shadow?

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Math

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Suggested AdaptationS

Check out our guide to adaptations. Adapt for environment, materials, instruction.

General Guide to Adaptations

Description

Shadows are created when light is blocked from reaching the ground. Step outside or find a flashlight and a dark space, like a wall or floor, inside to create shadows. Use different objects to create different shadows. Move objects around to see what the shadows do.

Environment

  • If possible, limit background noise & distractions
  • Wear sunglasses/hat if sensitive to bright light
  • Use modified or flexible seating
  • Place activity items on an anti-slip mat or in a container or tra
  • Place objects within reach

Materials

  • Have child’s assistive technology ready and available, including augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) device and/or power wheelchair
  • Add additional material(s) to flashlight and objects to make it easier to grasp, lift, or turn

Instruction

  • Use a variety of methods of communication (e.g., sign language, gestures) to meaningfully engage children
  • Use pictures and/or icons to signal next steps (see following card
  • Provide prompts to help the child create a shadow and help the child imitate

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STEMIE Learning Trajectories