Bright lights, light projectors, multi-coloured lights – have you noticed how much babies and young children enjoy watching and interacting with lights? It’s not surprising when you consider that lights are ideal for stimulating the sensory system – and can be enjoyed by babies at just a few weeks old.
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers all love to engage in sensory play and lights are a brilliant way of exploring the world around us.
Let’s explore some of the ways you can engage your child with lights both at home and at the incredible Illuminate Adelaide held right here in South Australia.
Sensory Lights at Home
By around 8 weeks old a newborn baby will be able to focus on your face when you’re close by, and it’s likely that they’re aware of light and dark long before this.
Between the ages of 2-3 months, their sensitivity to light develops even further. It’s a really exciting time for babies to start interacting with lights and they can be a brilliant way to start a child’s sensory journey.
Why not consider placing a calming light projector in your baby’s bedroom? You can use this as a sleep cue, or simply turn it on for them to watch as you change them or offer them tummy time.
Activities Using Lights to Try with Your Child
As your baby starts to reach out for toys, you might want to offer items such as a ball with a flashing light in it to encourage them to explore.
You can expand on this as they get older and their hand-eye coordination and motor skills improve – try simple games like rolling the ball to one another or putting the ball in a dark room so they can see it clearly lit up.
For toddlers and preschoolers, you can extend activities to talk about where light comes from. You could consider different sources of light including the sun, electric lighting and candles.
Toddlers and preschoolers love to play games that explore the idea of shadows to teach them about light and dark. Depending on their level of understanding you can show them how shadows can be made bigger and smaller, longer and shorter. Here’s our big list of sensory activities for toddlers you can do with them at home.
Exploring Illuminate Adelaide
Illuminate Adelaide is one of the most impressive visual displays you’ll find in Australia. Held during the month of July, it is described as a celebration of innovation, art, light, music and technology – all of which children will be fascinated by.
A city-wide event, this is an ideal experience to enjoy with children. There are both free and ticketed events and the atmosphere is incredibly child friendly with a real sense of wonder.
Image Source: FacebookSustainability and Diversity at Illuminate Adelaide
Illuminate Adelaide also has an impressive outlook on sustainability and aims to be carbon neutral in 2023.
Installations use renewable energy and visitors are encouraged to use public transport and bring their own water bottles to refill. These are all great points to discuss with your child and instil in them the importance of working together to protect our planet.
As with other city-wide events, another element of Illuminate Adelaide to discuss with your child is the Kaurna People of the Adelaide Plains.
Illuminate Adelaide acknowledges the Kaurna People as the Traditional Owners of the lands and depending on their age, you may want to talk to your child about history and cultures alongside the light displays and illuminations.
In conclusion, lights provide a captivating and educational sensory experience for children. From using light projectors at home to exploring the visual marvels of Illuminate Adelaide, children can engage with art, music, and technology in a child-friendly atmosphere. The event’s commitment to sustainability and recognition of the Kaurna People offer opportunities to discuss environmental stewardship and cultural awareness. Let the lights illuminate their senses and spark their curiosity on this incredible journey of exploration and learning!
There are also a number of sensory shows at the Adelaide Fringe Festival that are suitable for children – so it’s worth checking them out too!
