Recommended Age: 18 months and onwards
Level of Parent Involvement: High for younger children (12months to 3 years) as they require close supervision and may try to mouth the paint, low for older children, 3 years and onwards after the initial presentation
Prerequisites
- None
Materials
- Finger paint (consistency of mud)
- Shallow bowl to place paint in
- Slick/shiny paper
- Spoon and supply of paint
- Bucket with damp wash cloth/face washer
- Smock
Preparation
- Set up an appropriate table for the child to paint at (use cling wrap to cover the table if you are concerned about the paint on the surface)
- Place some finger paint in the bowl
- Set up a bowl with warm water
Steps
- For a younger child, bring them to the table where you have set up the activity letting them know they are going to explore finger painting (you can invite an older verbal child
- Let the child know they need to wear a smock, assisting them to put the smock on if necessary
- Show the child where to get the paper and invite the child to bring the paper to the table
- Place the paper in front of you
- Show the child how to dip their index finger into the bowl of paint, wiping off any excess onto the side of the bowl
- Use your finger to make a mark on the paper (can be a straight line, swirls, a shape, showing the child the ease of the finger running over the smooth paper with the paint)
- Once there is no more paint on your finger, dip your finger back into the paint and repeat
- When finished wash your index finger in the bucket of water, wiping off any excess paint and drying your finger using the cloth
- Show the child where to put the completed painting
- Take off your smock
- Invite the child to get a piece of paper and have a turn
Variations
- Making handprints
- Using more than one colour
