Light and how it travels

What they’re learning

Your child is learning that light travels from a source and can be reflected, absorbed, or pass through materials. Shadows form when light is blocked.

Explain it to my child

We see an object when light reaches our eyes—often after bouncing off the object. A mirror reflects a lot of light; dark paper absorbs more.

Try it together

Use a flashlight in a dim room with adult supervision. Shine it on foil, white paper, dark fabric, and translucent plastic. Compare reflection, transmission, and shadow.

Practice

1. What is a light source?
2. What does reflection mean?
3. Why does an opaque object make a shadow?
4. Which lets most light through: transparent or opaque material?
5. Why can we see a book that does not make its own light?

Check understanding

• Can your child identify source, path, and effect of light?
• Can they compare transparent, translucent, and opaque materials?