Daily Idea #249: Shadows

Today is officially Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day we celebrate the life of this incredible man. This year, we’ve been really trying to work on two of King’s main teachings— that we may look different on the outside but we are all the same on the inside and darkness does not drive out darkness; only light can do that.

With that said, for today’s daily activity we are looking at shadows. All you really need is sidewalk chalk or tape. This works best in the morning or afternoon (not in the middle of the day). Go outside and observe what happens when you face the sun and then when you face away from the sun. When you are facing away from the sun, look at the shadow that your body makes. Use your chalk or your tape to outline the shadow. You can even bring out some toy dinosaurs or play people and draw their shadows as well.

Discuss with your child(ren) how the shadows may all be different shapes, but they are all the same color. Then discuss what they observed when they were facing the light vs looking away from the light. We all create shadows, but when we face the light we cannot see the shadow. The more goodness and light we put into the world the more impact but less shadow we cast.