Illuminate your little one’s world in a magical way with the right lights.
ONCE UPON A TIME
Stories are an important part of bedtime rituals. Reading requires the right light, but you also want to ensure a calm space that promotes sleeping. Consider a directional bedside lamp with a bright light that can be pointed at the book specifically but doesn’t need to shine on the little one falling asleep.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
Children sometimes need the comfort of a night light – to keep the scary night creatures at bay! You may want to consider a bedside light with a low wattage to create a serene ambience, rather than functional light. A mobile, battery-operated, touch-lamp is ideal for a child able to switch the light on and off at will. A timer-controlled lamp that plugs into the wall is a hassle-free option for the room where the lights just need to be on until the child falls asleep.
LIGHTBULB MOMENTS
The right light also works to stimulate brain activity in children, especially in infants. Splashes of soft coloured lights against the wall not only add an aesthetic appeal to the space but also promote brain activity as children need to experience colour and movement for healthy mental development.
Rest is as important as the right stimulation for young children. Creating a peaceful sleeping environment is key in children’s rooms. Installing a dimmer control switch on the main light can help with this, as you’re able to gradually dim the lights as needed. Dimmer lights also help to provide just enough light to see if you need to feed your baby during the night, or if your toddler wakes up and needs to be comforted, without causing too much disruption by switching on a main, bright light.
SWITCHED ON FOR FUN
Function should come first, but that doesn’t mean lights can’t be fun too.
Choose from a range of interesting fittings, from Disney characters to delightful creatures. A light is a great way to add an element of creativity to your little one’s sanctuary, be it with a bird, bee, ball or Buzz Aldrin.
LIGHT THE LOAD
School-going children’s bedrooms often double up as a study. Here the right light can go a long way to increasing concentration, and even interest in the work.
Opt for a lamp with a good, bright spread of light as being able to see the study material well is key to maintaining good focus.
Fluorescent desk and floor lamps are ideal if the light is being used for long periods at a time since it doesn’t produce a lot of heat. For instances where more intense light is needed, such as studying from a textbook, a halogen lamp is more effective for its superior colour rendering.
SAFETY FIRST
If you’ve got little ones in the house there are a number of safety considerations to take into account.
Be aware of:
- Plug points that little fingers can easily get into.
- Cords that can be pulled or wrapped around little necks.
- Table or floor lamps that can be knocked down or pulled over.
Be sure to secure all electrical outlets with plug covers. Remember that small fingers can be quite strong and nimble so also ensure that the plug covers are too big to swallow.
Cords and ties, whether electrical or otherwise, should be securely bound or fastened and placed out of reach into a cord corral or tacked to the skirting board. Young children like to put loose objects into their mouths, and electrical wire can be a great (but lethal) teething toy!
Where possible, opt for energy-saver light bulbs as they don’t generate as much heat as incandescent globes, so there is less risk of tiny hands getting burnt.
Lighting can go a long way to create not only a safe and peaceful environment for the special children in your life, but also help to nurture and enhance the activities that play a big part in their growth, stimulation and development into happy and well-rounded adults.