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