About every week or two weeks I change out the materials the kids can use on the table to keep it fresh, fun, and engaging! You can change it more often or less often depending your kids and their interest levels. I keep my light table tucked away under my sensory bin so I can slide it out for play each day. I put together a list of my favorite light table tools for you here. There are many different materials designed specifically to be used on a light table. What Tools Should You Use On a Light Table? When you infuse your light table center with opportunities for science, math, literacy, and writing it quickly becomes a powerhouse of learning. The light table can be used for everything from open-ended play experiences to arts and crafts, to teaching academic concepts, and more! Kids are naturally drawn to the gentle glow of the light table and will stay there for long periods of time, which is great for stretching those budding attention spans. You may think a light table is just for science exploration and discovery, but there’s so much more to it than that.Ī light table can be used to enhance literacy, math, and writing skills in fun and playful ways. What Are Kids Learning at the Light Table Center? You can find the step-by-step directions for making your own inexpensive light table here. For about $20 you can make your dream of having a light table a reality with just a few simple materials! If a commercial light table or the IKEA hack aren’t in your budget, there is an even more affordable way to make your own.Īll you need to make a light table is a plastic under bed storage tub, some tin foil, tissue paper, and tap lights. The Flisat can be used as a sensory table, or you can put puck lights inside the bins and pop in an insert to transform it into a light table – easy-peasy!

This frosted acrylic insert is sized perfectly to fit in the Flisat activity table. The most affordable and budget friendly option for light tables is this brilliant IKEA hack from LiviLuCreative on Etsy. If you have a budget and you’re looking for a sturdy and more affordable commercial light table for classroom use this model from Guidecraft fits the bill. Some educational supply companies make light tables designed just to be used in preschool and pre-k classrooms. Light tables come in many different sizes and shapes. You can find answers to each of these light table questions below.

What tools or toys can be used on a light table?.

What do kids learn when they use light tables?.

Here are some of the most common questions teachers have about using light tables in the preschool classroom. The possibilities for playing and learning with a light table in your preschool or pre-k classroom are endless! You may already be familiar with the concept of light tables as a drafting tool, but they have quickly become popular in early childhood classrooms everywhere.

Because my classroom is tiny, I knew I could never have a traditional light table.īut none of that stopped me from because I knew my kids would absolutely love playing at the light table!Ī light table is a translucent, flat surface, such as a tabletop- with a light source underneath, the light shines up towards the top of the table. I was also worried about the space a light table would take up in the classroom. I desperately wanted one for my own classroom, but because of the price, it was out of my reach. There was something about it that I found so soothing. I remember the first time I saw a light table in a preschool classroom, I was mesmerized by the soft glow and the reflecting colors. Do you have a light table center in your preschool classroom? Or maybe you’re wondering “what is a light table and why do I need one?” You’re in luck, because it’s all spelled out for you here.

Light table for preschool classroom