Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards
Purpose: to expose the child to a variety of artistic skills using paints
Level of Parent Involvement: Low, mainly modelling and supervision
Prerequisites
- None
Materials
- A3 paper (paper which has a higher GSM rating work better for painting to allow for the heaviness of wet paint)
- 3-4 pieces of wool (8-12-inch pieces work well)
- 3-4 paper cups
- 3-4 different colours of washable paint
- Small bowl
- Small jug
- Smock
- Sponge
Preparation
- Source the above materials and set up at the child table
- You may wish to cover the floor surface with plastic or use a plastic placemat on the table
Steps
- Invite the child, letting them know that you have a new painting activity to show them
- The child may get their smock and put it on
- Go with the child to their table, noticing the materials, naming each
- Let the child know that they are going to be going painting with wool
- The child may fill the jug with water (2/3 full)
- Invite the child to pour some water into the small bowl
- Let the child know that you are going to put some paint into each of the paper cups
- Demonstrate how to dip a piece of wool into the paint by picking up the wool at one end and letting the rest of the wool fall into the paint to cover it
- Lift the wool out of the cup and place onto the paper to create a unique line
- Repeat as above for the other colours around the paper
- Show the child where to put the wet painting to dry
- Invite the child to have a turn
- Leave the child to work independently
- When the child has finished their painting, they may put their painting to dry
- Let the child know that they may use the sponge and the bowl of water to wipe any paint from the table and placemat
- The child may empty the water from the bowl once finished
Variations
- The same style of painting using string or ribbons with different variations of thickness or textures
