On Reddit, a mother revealed that she had just learned that her son's preschool does not turn on the lights so the kids can play during the day. "My four-year-old attends a Montessori school where the lights are turned off. Their class is the only one of six that does this," she said.
The mother discloses that she has been keeping an eye on things by asking her son if the lights were turned off every day he goes to school, and she has seen a pattern.
"I asked him and yesterday he said they kept the lights off all day," she continues.
"Overall I’ve been in at 8,9, 10:30am as well as between 2-4pm and the lights are always off."
"It's really gloomy and gray where we reside. The room is as bright as a basement, and they don't have any lighting or natural light", the mum explained.
The mother notes that, although she is a little perplexed as to why this is done, she is most worried about the room's lack of natural illumination or any other type of lighting so the children can see clearly while they play.
"The classroom has a few windows, but they are smaller sized, and the room is overall pretty dim, and they have no alternative lighting when the lights are off," she says.
"I asked the teacher today if the lights were off all day, she seemed overall a bit offended, and insisted the lights are off in the morning, after school and at lunch to save energy."
The mother's subreddit topic received more than 300 responses when she shared her worry online.
A few individuals talked about their personal experiences going to a comparable school.
"The Montessori my toddler used to go to never had lights on except for some reading lamp type lights," a reader remarked. Although there was plenty of natural light, the inside was somewhat dim on cloudy days. It was fantastic, and I get migraines. Additionally, with fifteen toddlers roaming around, I believe it really contributed to the children's modest calmness."
As for the advise given by those who visited regular centers, the general consensus was that bright lights irritate both the teachers and the youngsters.
"Dim rooms are peaceful and serene, according to research. Additionally, a lot of people have headaches from above lighting. When I was teaching, I seldom ever had the lights on in my classrooms. I think if your son is actually bothered by this you should ask him to be moved classrooms, but I see no issue with this teacher's preference," one person commented.
She probably finds the lower light level more soothing and pleasant if it's not so dim that they can't see. Generally speaking, the noise, lighting, and people in a classroom can be extremely stimulating. Another participant concurred, saying, "If they can still see well, turning off the light can really help with the overstimulation issues."
What Affect Does Dim Lights Have On Young Children?
Dim lighting in classrooms can have both positive and negative effects on young children:
- Calming Effect: Dim lighting can create a peaceful and calming environment, which may help reduce overstimulation and promote focus.
- Potential Vision Issues: Prolonged exposure to dim lighting can affect children’s vision development, potentially leading to issues like nearsightedness.
- Mood and Energy Levels: Bright light is known to boost mood and energy levels. Lack of adequate lighting might make children feel sleepy or less energetic.
- Sleep Disruption: Exposure to dim light before bedtime can disrupt melatonin production, affecting sleep quality.
Balancing natural and artificial light is crucial for creating an optimal learning environment.
My Kids’ Preschool Teacher Keeps The Lights Off All Day. Leah Goulis, Kidspot, March 29, 2024
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