In this blog I want to share some quick pointers on how to get started finger painting with preschool children and toddlers. Finger painting is known as starter painting for little children using their fingers without a paintbrush. This is perfect for starting early childhood children to start with. Its more of a discovery and exploratory type of painting play.
Tips For Buying Finger Paints
If you’re looking to purchase safe finger paint here’s some things you should know. Finger paint has pigments and special binders that make it easy to wash off any surfaces. It’s safe and non toxic for preschoolers. The texture is usually thick and slippery feeling.
Paints come commercially ready to use in bottles. You can usually find a large variety of colors to choose from. Working with finger paint is also easy to wash off little hands, with wipes or soap and water. And these types of paints don’t stain long-term, and easy to wash off clothes. It’s easy to make homemade finger paint from food.
You can find finger paints in craft stores or buy online. Check out store.EcoKidsArt.com to buy finger paints.
Setting-up For Painting
I like to introduce toddlers to basic primary colors in the beginning, such as red, yellow, or blue. We typically start with fingers and paintbrushes, as this is easy for children to try out. Utilize paper and cardboard as initial surfaces for painting. Place finger paints in wide bowls or large palettes.
Allow children to discover and explore with paints. (To read more about discovery exploratory art, click here.) Let them play rather than giving direct instructions. Avoid over-instructing; aim for process-based painting, focusing on natural paint play.
Process Based Art
Learn more about how to teach process-based art here. Process-based painting centers around the journey itself, prioritizing the experience over the final product. At this stage, children are not expected to create realistic or aesthetically pleasing artworks. Instead, they are immersed in a phase of pure exploration and discovery.
Putting Finger Paint In Their Mouth
Kinder and PreK students new to finger painting may explore paints by tasting or smelling them. Remain calm and permit children to explore, then suggest, “Now let’s paint with our fingers on paper, watch me!”Demonstrate finger paint movements by creating marks on the paper surface. It may take some time for young children to grasp finger paint play, but they all eventually do!
Art Teaching Resources
Check out my Kids Painting Book:
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