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Light Table Leaf Exploration

October 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This light table leaf exploration activity takes nature indoors, It is easy and economical to set up, and has many learning opportunities.

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One of the nicest places to observe colors and shapes in fall leaves is on the light table. Early learners get the chance to investigate natural materials indoors. The leaves get illuminated and their stripes, spots, and beautiful colors become even more noticeable. And best of all, there are a lot of learning possibilities in this light table leaf exploration activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Gather the following supplies for this low-prep, economical nature play invitation:

  • leaves in different colors, shapes, textures, and sizes
  • overhead transparencies
  • black permanent marker
  • “leaf” word strip
  • transparent alphabet letters
  • magnifying glasses
  • artificial flowers in vases

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Light Table Leaf Exploration

To collect the leaves, take your little charges on a nature walk. Give everyone a bag and ask each participant to find leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Back at home or in class, set some of the leaves on a light table for the children to view. Invite everyone to explore, sort, and arrange the foliage.

Extra leaves can be placed in an indoor DIY mud kitchen or added to a sensory tub.

Include magnifying glasses for early learners to see leaf veins and midribs clearly.

Fall leaves look extra pretty on the light table. And this leafy center has many learning opportunities.

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Place a word strip with the word “leaf” on the table, and include transparent alphabet letters. Encourage children to say and spell the word.

Fall flower sprigs in vases add ambiance to the center.

Exploring leaves is super fun on the light table. Magnifying glasses and the word "leaf" add learning possibilities to the center.

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Overhead Transparency Leaf Silhouettes

Trace some of the leaves onto overhead transparencies using a black permanent marker. Invite your early learners to match the light-enhanced leaves to their silhouettes.

Leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Light Table Leaf Exploration Benefits

This simple sensory activity has so many learning opportunities. Here are some possibilities this leaf light table setup offers:

  • recognizing leaf colors
  • counting and sorting leaves
  • shape matching
  • ordering leaves by size
  • alphabet letter identification
  • learning to make and spell a word
  • discussing leaf midribs and veins
  • creating designs with leaves
Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Related: Eyedropper Leaf Art

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You may also like:

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

This fall leaf salad spinner art activity is perfect for showcasing the bright colors of the season. It is easy and fun for little learners to do.

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Christmas Sweater Playdough Tray

Ugly Christmas sweater playdough center.

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Don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest or your favorite social media channel. Sharing is caring!

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© Annette Kaminsky   October 29, 2022

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Follow me on social media for more ideas:
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Filed Under: display, fall, light table, literacy, Math, preschool, science, sensory, trees Tagged With: leaves, light table, sensory play

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

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