| Painting opens up a world of colour and communication | | | | and hands with hot soapy water but please check the |
| for children and is a wonderful way for them to create. | | | | instructions to be certain! Once the children have |
| There are many simple and exciting alternatives to | | | | finished their painting, put a piece of paper on top and |
| using a paint brush.String painting is easy and is a great | | | | peel it off. Put it somewhere to dry and then they |
| way for children to pattern paint. You just wrap some | | | | have a print of their art work to show to family and |
| string around a small wooden block (this could be a | | | | friends.Here are some other quick tips and alternatives |
| building block that your children play with). A square or | | | | that your children may enjoy that can also be used for |
| rectangle shape is better, but make sure that it is big | | | | printing...Cotton bud painting can encourage children to |
| enough for the child to hold easily. To aid in your child's | | | | paint in a different way, which develops fine motor |
| learning, it is best to have a variety of different sizes | | | | skills.Cotton wool has a different feel and texture to |
| handy. Prepare some paint and pour it into some old | | | | it.Paint rollers are fun to use on large rectangular areas. |
| polystyrene trays or any tray that you can afford to | | | | So this would be ideal for example, if you are planning |
| use for lots of painting activities. Dip the block into the | | | | on painting a red cardboard bus.Cotton reels and corks |
| paint and press on the paper and you're done!Marble | | | | can be used for pattern painting.Sponges cut into |
| painting is another way for children to have fun and | | | | different shapes can be a great way to recycle and |
| also learn hand eye coordination whilst creating | | | | you can use both their rough and smooth sides in |
| different patterns. Prepare some paint and put it in a | | | | painting. Some examples of shapes you can use are |
| container that has deep sides, such as an old baking | | | | rectangles and circles and a diamond or star. You can |
| tray or a shallow cardboard box. The top of a shoe | | | | also purchase sponge shapes from a good toy shop, |
| box is an excellent example providing that it is still | | | | or you can order them from educational supply |
| strong and intact. Put some paper in the bottom of the | | | | magazines.Other ideas include the cardboard rolls |
| tray with a small amount of paint (you can use two or | | | | inside household foil and plastic wrap, plastic forks or |
| three different colours at a time). Drop a marble in the | | | | jar lids.Just remember to let those creative juices |
| tray and let the children move the marble backwards | | | | flow.Helen Thompson is a qualified child care worker |
| and forwards, sideways etc. to create their own work | | | | (Nursery Nurse) and Brain Gym consultant who has |
| of art.Finger painting develops the child's sensory skills | | | | spent many years working with children aged |
| as they feel and touch the paint. Put some paint on an | | | | between 0 - 8 years. Helen aims to provide busy |
| old table and let the children put their hands in it and | | | | parents, carers and teachers with fun and educational |
| make their own designs. If you do not have an old | | | | activities for children to develop their creativity.Her |
| table that you can use, then you can always put some | | | | website at includes recipes, craft activities and more. |
| plastic on the table and this will suffice.Please bear in | | | | To be kept informed of new additions to the site, |
| mind that most paints are easily washed off surfaces | | | | please subscribe to her newsletter. |