Designing Spaces for Children: Light
There’s nothing quite like the warmth of natural light as it peeks through a window. The way it illuminates the surrounding area, marks the passage of time, and connects you to the natural world. Light is essential to all life and an important design element when creating spaces for children.
Have you ever noticed the way children explore shadows? The way they experiment with size, shape, angles, perspective…?
Light shapes our perception of things and its qualities are fascinating. Watching light as it moves, sparkles, and refracts, forming colors and shadows, naturally captures children’s interest and can act as inspiration.
So, in what ways can light be used when creating spaces for children?
Having a variety of light sources – natural light, overhead lighting, and table lamps – are a great place to start. Light tables, overhead projectors, and flashlights are also wonderful tools for exploring light. If you have windows in your space, are they free from clutter? Is light able to pass through?
Including materials like prisms, mirrors, and translucent objects such as colored cellophane, paddles, and flat marbles capture light and can support many types of curriculum. Are you studying animal habitats? How about creating a play scene using small animals with flat marbles and stones on a light table?
Penumbra, Jean Shin, broken umbrellas and thread, 2003
Inspiration is all around us. This art installation was created by Jean Shin, an artist based in New York City who stitched together fabric from broken umbrellas.
Penumbra, Jean Shin, broken umbrellas and thread, 2003
Notice how light moves through the material and creates shadows on the ground.
Penumbra, Jean Shin, broken umbrellas and thread, 2003
How do you use light in your space with children? Where do you find inspiration?
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For more inspiration on creating spaces for children, check out our Playful Learning Spaces Workshop.
Start: November 4, 2014
End: November 21, 2014
To register, click here.
