Illuminating Possibilities: The Power of Light in Early Years Education

During a recent professional retreat, I had a powerful realisation, both personal and professional, about the profound influence of light. Its presence, its movement, and even its absence shape our experiences from early childhood right through to adulthood.

I was fortunate to attend a three-day training session for Alice Sharp’s Fabulous Fascinations Retreat at the breathtaking Caer Beris Manor in Builth Wells, Wales, in partnership with Hope Education. The atmosphere was electric from the start: a warm welcome, a shared sense of purpose, and a passionate group of educators devoted to improving Early Years experiences.

The sessions were designed to delight the senses and challenge our perspectives. Through immersive workshops, we reflected deeply on what we offer children and how a simple shift in approach or environment can reframe their entire learning experience.

Hope Education’s resources were displayed with such care and creativity that it felt like stepping into Aladdin’s cave. As I engaged with them, I was reminded of the sensory magic children feel when stepping into well-designed nursery spaces, where thoughtful provocations spark curiosity, joy, and awe. These moments embody the heart of cultural capital and demonstrate why teaching and experiences matter so profoundly.

Returning from the retreat brimming with inspiration, I turned my focus inward, to our own training offering at the London Institute of Early Years (LIEY), part of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). As a Pedagogy Coach, I asked myself: Were we truly embracing the creative potential of light? Do we harness its full range of potential for imaginative play, exploration, and cross-curricular learning?

Light play offers children endless ways to explore science, art, and storytelling. From crafting dioramas to experimenting with shadows and designing mixed-media installations, children learn how light behaves and how they can manipulate it to express and understand the world around them.

Lighting the Way with Hope Education

As the journey to enrich our curriculum with light-based provocations would begin through targeted training, my first port of call was clear - Hope Education. I knew that carefully selected resources could ignite a deeper curiosity and drive to explore in both educators and children alike.

Hope Education did not disappoint. Each item selected was chosen to inspire investigation, encourage hypothesis-building, a testing of one’s own ideas and nurture a spirit of playful experimentation. From light trays, colour rods, light and shadow kits to rainbow torches, the possibilities felt limitless.

I envisioned how these resources would be used not just in training, but in hands-on experiences across our nursery settings. The idea that these resources could travel between sites, supporting educators through role-modelling setups and sparking rich pedagogical conversations, felt like a new beginning in our playfulness with light.

Ultimately, our role as educators is to kindle wonder. Light is more than illumination, it’s a tool for thinking, dreaming, and becoming. By offering children experiences rooted in beauty and curiosity, we don’t just teach, we transform!