The children have been working in the West Wing Studio continuing their exploration of shadows and light. Recently a group was working in the space when the teacher asked,
Cindy: “What do you think we could add to this area to help your work here?”
Dex: “We need to make it darker.”
Mia: “It needs to be very dark. Turn of the lights.”
All the lights were turned off and the blinds were closed.
Cindy: “Is that dark enough?”
Max: “No.”
Cindy: “We have more fabric. We can change that.”
Dex: “Let’s get dark fabric.”
We changed the fabric under the loft and the children peeked in.
Max: “It is too dark. It’s scary.”
Cindy: “If it is too dark, how can you make it brighter?”
Hanami: “Let’s get the lanterns.”
All the children retrieved a lantern and slowly tippy-toed under the loft with lights bright.
Max: “It’s not scary now.”
Mia: “Let’s turn off the lights.”
Max: “That’s too dark. Let’s just try two.”
Lena: “Two is good. It’s not scary.”
Margot: “It’s not scary anymore.”
Mia: “This is our Haunted House.”
The children were able to work through their fears and become empowered by their own control of lighting and darkening this exploratory space.