Light and Dark

As the nights draw in this winter, we have been supporting children's understanding of light and dark. 
In each classroom children and staff have created dark, cosy spaces with fabric and tents. 
​They have introduced torches, safe candles, lamps and kaleidoscopes to encourage children to experience the dark and light interacting with each other.  
Children experience light and dark in their own lives through experiencing day and night. 
Children have been sharing talk about darkness: many children were able to say it is dark at night. Some knew the moon appears in the sky at night time and sometimes we can see it. 
One or two children shared knowledge that the sun gives us light. They also shared lights, lamps and candles in their homes do the same. 
We have started to use some specific vocabulary and talk about 'nocturnal' animals that come out at night: foxes, bats, owls and hedgehogs are sometimes seen in London. 
Children have started to share their feelings. Basil said "I feel scared!" when he was inside the dark tent. 
Children have been supported to share information and story books to support their understanding. 
A small group of children and families are visiting the Science Museum this week. More to come on that... along with more photographs of learning later in the week.