What this lesson teaches
This activity illustrates how light creates shadows and how their shapes change with distance. Children learn about light sources and how positioning affects shadow size and clarity.
Can you finish illuminate with shadow puppets in about 25 min?
You will this activity illustrates how light creates shadows and how their shapes change with distance.
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This activity illustrates how light creates shadows and how their shapes change with distance. Children learn about light sources and how positioning affects shadow size and clarity.
Using embodied cognition, children manipulate puppets to create shadows, linking physical actions with visual outcomes. As they experiment with distances and angles, they grasp the principles of light behavior in a tangible way.
1. Gather a flashlight, a white wall, and some thin cardboard. 2. Cut out shapes (like animals or characters) from the cardboard. 3. Shine the flashlight towards the wall while holding a puppet between the light and the wall. 4. Move the puppet closer or farther away to see how the shadow changes. 5. Experiment with different shapes and light angles — what happens? 6. Share your favorite shadow puppet with a family member and explain how you made it!