Science · Ages 4–5
Where do shadows come from?
Does your child say “my shadow is mine, it’s always there”? That’s a logical idea: to them, a shadow is part of whoever makes it. This free printable suggests questions instead of corrections, and a few tries to do together with a small flashlight and a few objects: where is the flashlight, where is the shadow, and what happens when you turn it off or move it to the other side. An adult stays right there for every try.
Download the printable (PDF, 2 pages)US Letter size. Print single-sided, at 100% (actual size). Black and white is fine.
Page 1, for you
- Why “my shadow is mine” is a logical idea.
- The key idea, in three simple diagrams: the flashlight on one side, the shadow on the other; without the flashlight, no sharp shadow.
- Three questions to ask instead of correcting.
- Safety: an adult stays right there, a small flashlight set down on the table and never pointed at anyone’s eyes, never a button battery or a flame, and never look at the sun.
- How to set up and play the four tries and the white paper challenge.
- Notes to read after the try, and a cut-out slip to play again a few days later.
Page 2, for your child
- A page with no text: pictures to circle, no reading needed.
- Before the try, a picture under the question mark; after it, a picture under the eye.
- Four tries with the flashlight and the apple, the wooden spoon, the bowl and the toy, then a challenge: where should the flashlight go so the shadow lands on the paper?
- A big frame to draw what surprised them.
Our videos for parents
This printable goes with the “Where shadows come from” episode of “Understand the concept,” our video series for parents. Find our videos on Ludip’s YouTube channel.
Visit Ludip’s YouTube channelLudip: Math & Science Stories
Ludip is a collection of math and science comic series for kids. Every episode tells a story around one concept to understand, then activities invite your child to explore it through play. Ludip is coming to iPhone, iPad and Android.
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