Northern Lights Small World Play

The Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer provided a beautiful starting point for exploring the magic of the Northern Lights during the winter season. The story takes children on a journey from space to Earth, highlighting how this natural phenomenon brings wonder to the animals and people who live in frozen lands.

After reading the story, we extended the learning by sharing images and videos of the Northern Lights. We discussed how they are also known as auroral displays and can appear in many colours and forms—sometimes as patches, sometimes as scattered clouds or shooting rays that illuminate the night sky with an eerie glow. We explored the science behind this phenomenon, learning that the lights are created when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Before inviting the children to explore the materials, we darkened the room and used a star projector to recreate what the Northern Lights might look like in real life. This immersive experience sparked curiosity, awe, and excitement.

On the table, we set up a small world invitation using iridescent fabrics in blue and white, small and large ice blocks, acrylic snowflakes, arctic animal figurines, igloos, acrylic ice cubes,iridescent acrylic rocks, plastic cups, led tea lights, bottle brush trees, cones, and more. The children were encouraged to explore freely and let their imaginations blossom.

By bringing stories to life, we create meaningful spaces where children can unlock their potential through imaginative small world play. This form of play acts as a versatile canvas for endless storytelling, supporting the development of social skills, language, sequencing, and an understanding of the world around them. As children explore new materials and act out real-life and imagined scenarios, their creativity and confidence grow. When provided with inspiring environments, children’s ability to create, develop, and comprehend meaningful stories flourishes—making small world play a powerful and joyful part of their learning every day.