How to introduce light and glow into learning

Before introducing light and glow resources into your setting, it’s helpful to consider how to make them even more effective for both you and your children. Our Head of Product Content, Cat Jewkes, shares a few things to consider:

Choose the right space

You don’t need a full sensory or dark room to get started with glow resources. It’s more about being creative with the space you’ve got. Light and glow resources can be used in different spaces, even those with some natural light. If you want to really make the glow stand out, here are a few ideas to try:

Dark dens or pop-up tents

Pop up tents are easy to set up and portable so easy to move around. They are great for blocking out the light in a bright setting and they give children a calm space to explore and experiment.

Homemade dens

Get children involved in building a makeshift den for their glow play. Pegging blankets over tables or across a quiet corner of the room can create brilliant glow spaces. Not only are these dens perfect for using glow resources but also give children the chance to get involved in the setup, making it all part of the learning experience.

On or under a tuff tray

Drape a dark cloth over the tuff tray to make a glow cave underneath or use the tray itself for a self-contained small world scene with light and glow elements.

Cardboard glow theatre

Get creative with your children by transforming a cardboard box into a glow stage or mini theatre. Simply turn it on its side, cut out a few windows, and let children shine torches or lights through to create their own magical light displays or glow scenes. A blanket can be draped over the top to make it even darker inside, turning it into their very own enclosed storytelling space.

When using light or glow resources, think about:

• Can children access them independently?
• Is the space dark enough to make the glow really stand out?
• Does it feel inviting?

Make learning with light accessible for everyone

For many children, light up resources are exciting and engaging, but not every child will respond to them in the same way. While some children will be drawn straight to the light and sound effects, others might prefer quieter, softer glow resources or may need time to get used to these new sensory experiences. This is where your knowledge of the children really comes into play.

A few things to consider:

• Create different types of glow environments based on your children’s needs. For example, for those children who may feel overwhelmed by too much sensory input, you may start by adding just one or two gentle glow resources in a calm, quiet space. For those who seek out more stimulating sensory play, create a more interactive experience with resources that spin, flash, or change colour.
• Support children who prefer to watch before joining in by creating spaces where they can observe others using glow resources at their own pace.
• Allow children to choose what they engage with and how.

Consider different types of play

The more varied your resources, the more opportunities children have to explore and engage in ways that suit their interests and needs. Think about including a mix that encourages different types of play. Here are a few examples:

• For children who like to move around, handheld resources such as torches, glow cylinders, or an early years projector enable them to explore light through movement and action.
• For those who enjoy building and creating, resources like glow construction bricks, crosses, arches, cylinders, people and trees add a magical twist to construction and small world play.
• For sensory seekers, try glow rollers, spinning tops, or resources that involve touch and sound. These are great for investigating cause and effect.
• For children drawn to patterns and repeated actions, include stackable, twistable or rotating glow resources that support schematic play such as rotation, trajectory or connecting.

Have a safety first approach

Light up and glow resources are great but it’s important to check that they are tested to use with young children. Here’s a quick checklist:

Choose resources that are tested

Are the Glow resources tested for children and age appropriate?

Check the temperature

Do light/glow resources such as projectors stay cool to the touch?

Consider hazards

Where possible, opt for wireless, battery operated or rechargeable resources to avoid trailing leads and trip risks.

Ensure the brightness is appropriate

Are the lights gentle on eyes? Strong lights can be dangerous and harsh, so check that any glow or light resources uses child safe levels of brightness (lumen levels).

At TTS, we take safety seriously. All our resources are risk assessed and where needed tested to recognised UK and EU safety standards. These are then backed up by the TTS Fit for Purpose Programme which ensures the products we create are fit for the environment in which they are used.

Make light and glow part of your everyday provision

With a bit of planning, light and glow resources can become a manageable and valuable part of your everyday provision. Take time to think about where they will go, how children will access them, and how they can be used in your setting.

Ask yourself…

• Do the resources link to the children’s interests?
• Can they be used for more than one type of play?
• Are they easy for the children to get out, use and put away?
• Is there space to charge them when needed?

When thoughtfully introduced, glow resources can enrich your environments in meaningful ways. They can help create calming spaces for regulation, spark curiosity, and support a wide range of learning. This can be through storytelling, exploring cause and effect, investigating scientific concepts, or simply offering a quiet moment of focus. It’s about finding out what works for the children in your setting, and using light as another tool for play, discovery, engagement and learning.