Enabling Environments: Tried and Tested - New scientists

LET'S EXPLORE LIGHT AND SHADOW KIT
REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING
AGE RANGE: 3-5 (Also Year 1)
PRICE: £29.99
CONTACT: 01732 225850
www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk

The kit includes a set of 15 colour paddles, ten A6 plane mirrors, ten convex/concave plastic mirrors, a torch, kaleidoscope set, coloured acetate sheets and storage box with tray, plus an eight-page guide to activities.

- Tested by Frederick Bird Primary School, Coventry

'This is excellent for developing children's understanding of the concepts of light and shade and extending their knowledge of colour and colour mixing. It allowed them to explore and investigate in practical, hands-on experiences, led to many questions and expanded the use of scientific language. I introduced the torch in a darkened room and they explored shining the lights on walls, windows, in drawers, on each other and to make shadows on the whiteboard. They were particularly excited when it was shone at an air vent and they thought they could see a ghost hiding inside (actually years of accumulated dust)! The children were also very enthusiastic about colour mixing, using the paddles and whiteboards, and spent many sessions putting different colour combinations on the overhead projector and seeing the results on the board. This was ideal for children still learning to name colours. We found there was less interest in the kaleidoscope and mirrors, probably because we already have a large selection in our science area. The kit is good value for money and something we would definitely consider buying for our setting.'