exemplar activities

Unit 5 Activity 2 - Advantages and disadvantages of using a dark room with UV-A lighting

ADVANTAGES

Ultra violet light can be a useful tool in stimulating and motivating a child with very little vision. Fluorescent coloured objects held under ultra violet light are said to be five to eight times brighter than the same objects in standard colours held under other light sources. Fluorescent and luminescent materials provide high levels of contrast and clarity and can therefore help a child to focus attention and be less distracted by any other object, person or "clutter" around.

By using such materials with ultra violet light it is possible to encourage a child with poor vision to make use of any residual vision that he/she has and develop a range of visual skills including fixation, tracking, scanning and accommodation.

DISADVANTAGES

The issues involved in using ultra violet light centre around length and intensity of exposure to the light source. I would therefore check on the guidelines offered by the local authority (education and health) along with the school's health and safety officer before using UV-A. I would ensure that all equipment had been safety checked and that an adequate diffuser had been fitted. As an added precaution I would also ask permission from parents and ensure that staff involved were all happy to go ahead.

When planning activities under ultra violet light I would bear in mind the following:

• There should be a maximum of two sessions per week
• No session should last longer than 10 minutes
• A cut off timer should be fitted to the light or a buzzer/fluorescent egg timer should be available
• All adults and children should remain fully clothed
• All adults and children should be safely positioned behind the lamp so that they can not look directly into the tube
• No oils or creams should be used immediately before the session as some are photo -sensitising
• No adult or child has a history of epilepsy
• The light should be turned off if anyone were to complain of a head ache

THE CURRICULUM

The list of possible activities under UV-A is endless. With careful thought about the type and size of objects used, most activities that occur in the classroom can be carried out successfully under UV-A. Below is a sample of activities that I would consider in an attempt to meet the needs of young children with a range of abilities. All equipment would have fluorescent or luminescent properties.

LITERACY

1. To develop tracking skills I would introduce finger and hand puppets, objects on pencils and sticks, threading beads, cubes and buttons and stick dots/paint blobs on finger tips. I would play games such as pushing/rolling balls/toy vehicles and pulling and sliding objects on string, lengths of wool, strips of fabric and circular hoops of elastic.
2. To enhance reading I would use patterns, pictures and words in ink, crayon, and paint.
3. To aid writing I would have ink and crayons with white boards and mix fluorescent paint into paper paste, cornflour and sand.

NUMERACY

1. To assist hand-eye co-ordination I would encourage building games with construction materials and use posting boxes, pegs with peg boards and jigsaws.
2. For recognition and matching activities I would use objects of differing size, colour, shape and texture held in various positions and distances from the child.

PSHE

1. To increase body awareness I would place objects on different body parts, tie materials and objects onto hands and feet and use gloves and socks.
2. To encourage eye contact I would use face paints.
3. To develop self help skills I would offer games with buckles, zips, laces, brushes, combs and flannels along with a range of dolls.
4. To encourage turn taking I would plan partner games.

PE/MOVEMENT

1. Balls, skittles, hoops and bean bags would all help to improve sending, receiving and aiming skills and develop an awareness of motion and movement as would items of clothing for the children to dress in.

ART/DT

1. I would consider fluorescent paints, crayons and playdough for this area of the curriculum.

ICT

1. I would attach fluorescent materials to switches and switch toys when working to develop cause and effect skills.

Finally it perhaps needs to be re-stated that the above list is merely a start. Not all activities are suitable for all children, but providing the adults are prepared to be flexible and imaginative, UV-A can be a powerful tool in stimulating and motivating many children with a variety of difficulties and needs.

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