Moths That Fly to the Flashlight

With the room dimmed, children are moths sitting on the floor who flutter softly toward the spot of light the teacher shines on a wall; when the light goes off, they land wherever they are. It practices reacting to a light cue and changing direction quickly.

How to play

1. Lower the blinds without making the room fully dark, and the moths sit spread out on the floor (1 min).
2. The teacher shines the flashlight on a wall: the moths get up and flutter toward the light without touching it (2 min).
3. The light goes off: the moths land, sitting or lying wherever they are; it comes on at another wall and they fly again (3 min).
4. The light moves slowly across the floor and the moths follow it; if it stops, they land around it (2 min).
5. Morning comes: raise the blinds and the moths fall asleep lying down with wings folded (2 min).

Rules

• I fly to the light without bumping other moths.
• When the light goes off, I land right away.
• We don't step on or touch the light: we look at it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: a buddy acts as a guide moth holding hands; the teacher adds a soft sound to the light.
• Autism: if the dim light is unsettling, leave a lit corner and let the child start by watching from there.
• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair flies with the arms and steers the chair toward the light.

Learning goals

• Respond to a light cue by moving.
• Change direction and stop quickly.
• Move with control in a dim space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Flashlight: 1

Teacher tip

Never shine the flashlight in anyone's face; keep it on walls and the floor. Clear tables and chairs from the middle before dimming the room.

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