Making the Most of Light and Mirrors

Playing with light is a magical experience for children and adults alike. Making the most of Light and Mirrors
has been specially written to celebrate the wonderful ideas and
theories that babies and young children demonstrate on a daily basis,
as they play and explore the world around them.


Each of the scenarios in this book, accompanied by stunning full
colour photographs, shows how the use of reclaimed and natural
materials can support play and active learning, exploration and
investigation and creativity and critical thinking across the six areas
of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Through easily understood text and colour photographs, this book
provides both photographic and written support for early years
professionals wishing to develop their understanding of:
- the role of the creative practitioner
- a creative learning environment
- child-initiated and adult- led experiences
- the value of open- ended resources
- the use of photographs in observational assessment

Linda Thornton has over thirty years experience in education as a
teacher, headteacher, adviser and lead officer for early years. She is
passionate about developing children's thinking and learning, valuing
creative learning environments and encouraging educators to think about
the ‘why' as well as the ‘how' in their approach to teaching. Linda is
a director of alc associates and currently provides consultancy and
training for local authorities across the UK.

Pat Brunton's background as a research scientist has led to her
interest in the idea of babies and young children as researchers, and
to recognising the value of involving families in their children's
learning through science and technology. She has extensive
experience of the early years field and provides training for a wide
variety of audiences including school governors, teachers, early years
and childcare practitioners and children's centre professionals.