{"id":8719,"date":"2022-09-07T23:31:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T23:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/light-efx.com\/?p=8719"},"modified":"2022-10-26T23:59:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T23:59:21","slug":"top-3-best-ways-to-use-sensory-lighting-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/light-efx.com\/staging\/top-3-best-ways-to-use-sensory-lighting-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 3 Best Ways to Use Lighting in Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Light is one of the most exciting elements of exploration and discovery with children; a way to explore emotion, beauty, vivid imagination, and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. StarEFX\u2122 Starlight<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

StarEFX\u2122 starlight kits<\/a> or integrated ceilings<\/a> introduce subtle and colorful lights into an area without the glare that conventional indoor lighting provides. It operates complementary to existing lights providing children, staff and parents a visual, fun way for engagement, relaxation and children\u2019s napping time. The systems use acoustic panels or printed lining with randomly placed fiber optic star points resembling the night sky. The stars can be interactive through color changes, they can twinkle or be animated, with shooting star animations that add an unexpected little surprise to the observer. In addition, the sensory panels hold acoustic properties for sound absorption, creating a relaxing environment perfect for any classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n

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StarEFX\u2122 starlights<\/a> can be used on ceilings or walls. StarEFX\u2122 ceilings are most commonly used used in nursery or naptime rooms as they create a calming atmosphere that can put anyone at ease. Children will fall asleep watching the stars twinkle and shoot across the sky. A relaxing and engaging way to let their imagination go wild before dreaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Daylighting<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 Using daylighting<\/a> delivery systems, sunlight can be brought indoors. Natural light is an extremely important element in keeping our circadian rhythm<\/a> to a regular sleep-wake cycle. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that functions as our bodies\u2019 internal clock. A proper circadian rhythm has many benefits to our well-being, but when thrown off, it can create significant sleeping problems, including insomnia, as well as have a harmful effect on our physical and mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When we are not exposed to natural sunlight, not only is our circadian rhythm thrown off, but many people experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). SAD is most commonly seen in winter when mornings are much darker. We can use natural daylighting systems<\/a> to deliver natural sunlight into classrooms keeping student’s circadian rhythm regular and avoiding SAD and other health adversities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does daylighting positively impact our wellbeing, but studies show that classrooms that incorporate daylighting have higher staff and student productivity than those that don’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LightEFX team specializes in daylighting technology to create brighter, healthier, and more pleasant indoor environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out our blog post “The Impact of Natural Daylighting in Public Spaces<\/a>” For more information on how daylighting and Artificial lighting impact our health and your learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Create a Sensory Room<\/strong> with Lighting<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A sensory room is a therapeutic space that uses light, sound and colors to calm, engage and help people to regulate their emotions and behaviors. Sensory rooms are commonly used for children with autism, but sensory rooms can also be used for individuals with ADHD, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, as well as for individuals with developmental challenges in communication, movement, balance, and social skills.

Sensory rooms have many benefits. It is a calming space that individuals can go to when they are becoming overwhelmed, where they can feel calm and safe and regain control of their emotions. Not only is this room great for working through emotions they are a great space to help improve focus, over-stimulation, socialization, motor skill development, cognitive development and sensory development. In this stress-free environment, a child is exposed to the brain\u2019s complex reactions to what they can touch, hear and see and they can learn how to process and control these experiences for when they are out in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sensory rooms can be used in schools and ELCs to create a controlled, relaxing, and stimulating learning environment whilst supporting a child’s sensory needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LightEFX provides many sensory lighting products and services for sensory rooms. Sensory rooms can include StarEFX\u2122 ceilings\/walls, fiber optic curtains, LumiReeds, and LightEFX custom interactive designs and toys. <\/p>\n\n\n

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LightEFX’s fiber optic technology\/electronics used in our sensory lighting products are isolated. This means all the fiber cables are safe to touch and play with. Fiber optic cables have no electricity or heat running through them, making them entirely safe for children to have their hands feeling the lights as they follow a shooting star or safely play with the fiber curtain. The sensory light fibers emit a low glare light to reduce the risk of any eye damage while also having no UV rays transporting through the fiber cables. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why Use Sensory Lighting in Schools and Early Learning Centers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Using sensory lighting and sensory play can calm and stimulate senses and is an integral part of aiding children\u2019s development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Research shows that sensory lighting<\/a> (both light and color therapy<\/a>) can help aid a child\u2019s learning ability to achieve higher academic skills, improve cognitive abilities, and overall behaviors within a classroom or Early Learning Center (ELC) environment. In addition, sensory lighting can enhance social and emotional skills, increase relaxation, and provide enjoyment while improving concentration, alertness, calmness, and general awareness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sensory play is any activity spent engaging and stimulating any of the child\u2019s senses. Each new experience a child has with a different sense, builds nerve connections that develop their brain. For Babies, sensory play helps them learn more about the world around them and develop language as they respond to different stimuli. Toddlers will use sensory play to develop their thinking abilities and start to be able to complete activities on their own. Young children, through sensory play, will begin exploring independently and develop their creativity. Overall sensory play encourages exploration, problem-solving, language development and motor skills.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Contact the friendly lighting experts at LightEFX here to optimize your classroom today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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