Activity: Snappy Science – Creating Shadows – Early Learning

Quick summary: This activity is designed to encourage children to explore how shadows are created. Children will discover that different light sources and different materials can create different kinds of shadows. Older children will also discover that the sun can create shadows of different width and length at different times of the day. 

This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

EYLF Learning Outcome	Elaborations
Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity	2. Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world	3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners	1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 3. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators	1. Children interact verbally and non verbally with others for a range of purposes 3. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media 5. Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking

 

Resources required:

• Torches (optional: a light box if you have one, or create a simple one by following the instructions to Make your own lightbox)
• Sidewalk chalk
• A clock for telling the time with children
• A collection of materials that are:
  • transparent (see-through, e.g. drinking glass, reading spectacles)
  • translucent (allowing light, but no details to pass through. e.g. plastic lunch box, sheer curtains)
  • opaque (not allowing any light to pass through, eg: book, bag).

Supporting resources:

Supporting resources:

• Science in early childhood
• Science in the early years
• 10 Tips to Support Children’s Science Learning
• Little Scientists

 

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.