Finger Painting with Young Kids at Home
Fun Art Activity for Toddlers and Parents to do Together
Dec 29, 2008
When toddlers begin to paint, they may not be able to control a paint brush or paint that is too drippy, like tempera paint. It may be better for parents to introduce the idea of painting to young children with finger paints instead.
What is Finger Painting
Finger painting is painting done with the hand and fingers instead of a brush. The paint is thick and tends to be a bit greasy and works best when applied to a smooth, slick surface, or glossy paper.
How to Start to Paint with Toddlers
When preparing to do finger painting with children, make sure to work in an area that can be easily cleaned like the kitchen table or hard surface floor rather than on carpeting. If working on the floor, it is wise to put a drop cloth or newspaper to make clean up easier. Children will do best when a parent or adult works with them to discover what happens when the paint is applied.
Begin things very simply by offering only one color. Since the paint is water soluble and can wipe off easily, it can be applied directly to a smooth table surface or a piece of large paper that is taped down to the table with masking tape.
What Will Children Paint
When young children begin to work with paint, they are not concerned about creating a work of art, they are most interested in how things feel and what happens to the paint as it is applied in different ways. They will probably not be able to make a painting of something, and should be encouraged to manipulate the paint in different ways.
Parents should work on their own painting and try to find various ways to use the paint to make lines, dabs and shapes. By using only one color to begin, the child is focusing on how the paint can be manipulated. Have a conversation while working about what happens with the paint and what it feels like to use the paint.
After children have mastered the application of paint to a surface, then introduce another color and allow them to play with the new color in relationship to the first color. Ask questions as you work together with the paint. Talk about the colors and the names of the colors. Discuss what happens when the colors mix together.
Let Young Children Help to Clean Up
When finished painting, clean up can also be part of the experience and an important early lesson. Allow the children to help:
- putting the lids on the paint containers
- throwing away paper towels
- picking up newspaper that is covering the floor or table putting it into a recycle bin
- hanging up their art smock
- wiping up the table or floor where working
These are tasks young children are able to do with supervision and important to understand when working with art materials at home.
Other Kinds of Art for Pre-School Kids
Young children will find many kinds of materials interesting for making art.
- Using tempera paint is good for those over 3 years old.
- Children can also make collage art by ripping and pasting colored construction paper.
- Clay can be easily manipulated by children and is available at most art supply stores.
- Crayons and water soluble markers are readily available at most pharmacies or grocery stores.
Whatever the choice of materials, making art with children is important for a child's development and can be enhanced when parents are fully participating with children as they explore art making and the discovery of self-expression through art.
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