Night Light, Sleep Tight

Featured Concepts

Personal, Social and Emotional Development/Self

Your Child Will Learn

The dark does not have to be scary; it can even be fun. Also the need to develop awareness of their own needs, views and feelings, as well as being sensitive to the needs, views and feelings of others.

Ep_22_Night_Light_Sleep_Tight_20sec

Story Summary

Bing and Bong arrive in the early evening, and set up camp. When darkness comes, Bing slips into a deep slumber, but Bong is wide awake and wants to go to the toilet tent. Being scared of the dark, Bong wakes Bing to walk down the path. Bing shows Bong that the “scary” sounds in the dark are just harmless Flockers. But when this happens a second time, Bing suggests a solution: Bing sets some Glow Locals along the path between the tents. Now, when visiting the loo, Bong is not afraid! Even when the Glow Locals’ lights go out, Bong still has fun, turning their lights on and off. Soon Bong curls up outside near the Glow Locals to fall asleep, where Bing joins Bong under the stars.

Key Vocabulary

Dark
Night time
Light
Scared
Luminous
Glow-in-the-dark

Preparation

Watch the Tiny Planets episode "Night Light, Sleep Tight"
Talk about what Bing and Bong did in the story by asking questions like:

Why are people afraid of the dark?
How do things look different at night time?
What are some light sources that they use everyday?
What animals come out at night to play?

Gather your materials for the "Glow In the Dark" activity

Additional Ideas

Making shadows
Creating nocturnal animals
Look at how the town or city lights up at night
Discuss what lights are in the night sky (space)
Paint/chalk pictures of space
Take a minute to play "Afraid of the Dark" with Bing and Bong
Take a minute to play "Into the Shadows!"

Glow in the Dark

Materials

Black construction paper
Glow in the dark paint
Large pieces of black material

Black paper can also be used

Flashlights, fairy lights, glow sticks

Instructions

Discuss the dark and explain to the child that you are going to darken the room
Black out the windows with the child's help
Sit the children down and talk to them in the dark, reassure them that is not scary and make it fun
Talk about light sources and show them different ones

e.g., fairy lights, candles, etc.

Let them paint pictures onto black paper with the glow-in-the dark paint
Create a dark area to hang up their glow in the dark pictures

You can use a space theme

Supply flashlights, glow sticks, etc. for the child to use

Hang up fairy lights, etc.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Ensure that the child are safe and sitting down when you turn off the lights and do not get up and move around
Reassure any children that really are frightened of the dark and ensure they are supervised or have the opportunity not to participate
Do not let the children use the candles
Ensure adult supervision