Finding My Shadow

[15 Minutes]

You and your child can look for your shadow on a bright sunny day!

You'll need:

• a sunny day • sidewalk • chalk

What to do:

1. Take your child outdoors on a bright sunny day. Stand on a sidewalk or any concrete slab.
2. Ask your child if he can find his shadow.
3. Sing this song together as you search for your shadow. (Tune: "Skip to My Lou")

   Shadow, shadow, jump like me,
   Shadow, shadow, jump like me,
   Shadow, shadow, jump like me,
   Jump like me--my shadow!

4. For additional verses, ask your shadow to "clap your hands", "wave hello", "dance like me", and so on.
5. Take chalk and trace your child's shadow on the ground. Name his body parts as you trace around them.
6. Invite your child to add features and to color his outline on the walk.
7. Cleanup is easy with a little liquid soap and some water.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What needs to be in the sky so that you can see your shadow outside?
• How can you tell if the shadow is yours?
• Whose shadow is bigger, yours or mine? Whose is smaller?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop large muscle skills and observational skills.