There’s something magical about playing with light and shadow. Children are full of awe and wonder as they watch images grow and shrink depending on their distance from a light source. Shadow play opens up a new way of looking at the environment — full of curiosity, experimentation, and imagination.

In Reggio Emilia education, light and shadow is connected to the principle of transparency. Transparency means more than just materials that let light pass through — it also symbolizes openness to children’s ideas and family voices.

If you’ve ever felt unsure of where to start with light and shadow, you’re not alone. Many teachers feel intimidated by this concept at first. The good news? You don’t need fancy equipment to get started. With a few intentional choices, you can create rich learning opportunities that bring the wonder of light into your classroom.

Why Light and Shadow Matter in Reggio-Inspired Learning

Light and shadow exploration allows children to:

Experiment with size, shape, and perspective
Explore scientific concepts like transparency, reflection, and refraction
Express ideas through storytelling, drama, and art
Work collaboratively as they share discoveries
See their environment in new, imaginative ways

It’s hands-on, creative, and endlessly adaptable.

How to Add Reggio-Inspired Light & Shadow

Natural Light - Large windows allow children a view into the outside world.
Mirrors - The use of mirrors on the walls, right angles, and interesting places provide reflection and unusual viewpoints.
Crystal Prisms/CDs - By hanging up prisms and CDs by the window, you can create the individual bands of color that look like a rainbow.
Open Shelving - Shelves that you can access from both sides allow light to pass through and display objects from both directions.
Artificial Light - Light can be projected in the classroom to facilitate investigations, spark their curiosity, or simply to play with light and shadow.
Overhead Projector - These old school projectors are wonderful!
Light Table - You can buy one online or you can make your own light table with how-to directions on the Roots & Wings blog. I also loved the brilliant TinkerLab version using a plastic tub and lights.
Flash Lights & Shadow Play - Create a shadow theater using a box and tracing paper. Put the flashlight behind the box to display objects for the class. Trace their shadows outside or use objects and trace their shadows.

Materials to use on a Light Table

All of the materials I suggest for the light table, can also be used for the overhead projector:

Magna Tiles

Translucent Pattern Blocks
Gemstones (sorting/counting)
3D Geometric Solids
Transparent Chips

Materials for Light Tables and Projectors

Found items in nature (pinecones, shells, acorns, feathers, flowers, tree cookies, etc)

Letters (I’ve used our magnet letters)
Plastic animals for shadow play
Animal x-rays
Gemstones (sorting/counting)
Transparency sheets and Vis-a-Vis markers - The kids will love this one as it looks like they are drawing on the wall!
Attach a large piece of paper to the wall and sketch the projected patterns or shadows
Self-portraits with loose parts

Shadow Play Ideas

Shadow play can become a full investigation in your classroom. A few ideas:

Shadow Theater: Use a box lined with tracing paper and a flashlight to tell stories with objects or puppets.
Guessing Game: Have children hold familiar objects behind the theater while peers guess the item by its shadow.
Tracing Shadows: Outdoors or indoors, trace shadows of objects, children, or classroom plants.
Storytelling: Let children create narratives using shadows as characters or backdrops.

Shadow play naturally blends science, art, and literacy while giving children space to imagine.

Final Thoughts

Exploring light and shadow in a Reggio-inspired classroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small — open your blinds, set out a mirror, or try a flashlight game. Soon you’ll see light in new ways and watch as children approach it with wonder, creativity, and joy.

If you’d like to go deeper into the principles of Reggio Emilia — including Image of the Child, Documentation, Environment as the Third Teacher, and more — our Reggio-Inspired Educator’s Course and Teacher Playbook provide practical tools and examples to bring these ideas to life.

About the Authors:

Megan Haynes and Priscilla Patti are two highly experienced and qualified early childhood educators who are passionate about teaching in a Reggio-Inspired way. They firmly believe in its transformative power in early childhood education.The authors share firsthand accounts of their experiences utilizing the Reggio Emilia Approach in Fort Collins, Colorado.

How to Use Light and Shadow in a Reggio-Inspired Classroom