Your Child Will Learn
Exploring creative expression with “paint”
Here’s What to Do
- Make the baby-safe finger paint ahead of time (it needs time to cool). If possible, your baby can watch you make the paint. See below for the recipe.
- Use non-marking tape to tape a large piece of paper onto a high chair tray or table (your baby can sit on your lap). Protect your baby’s clothes with a bib.
- Squirt a few blobs of the homemade paint onto the paper. As your baby paints with their fingers, talk about what they’re doing and the colors they’re using.
- Bring the finished painting to school to display!
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Make eye contact with your baby. Stretch their arms up to the sky and take a loud breath in, then blow your air out as you lower your baby’s arms down.
ENGAGE
- “I see you’re using your finger to spread the paint all around the page.”
- “You’re mixing the red and the blue together. Look, you made purple!”
ENCOURAGE
- If your baby’s not sure what to do, show them! Use your finger to paint and describe what you’re doing. Your baby might join in.
- If your baby doesn’t want to touch the paint, don’t force them. They may prefer to watch today, and you can try again another day.
REFLECT
- Tell your baby what you loved about watching them make art.
Not Quite Ready
Allow your baby to watch you finger painting first. Then try dipping their finger in the paint and guiding their hand.
Ready for More
Allow your baby to explore painting with a paintbrush.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will experiment with the creative process of painting.
Time to Complete
15 minutes, plus time to make and cool the finger paint
Materials Needed
- 4 ½ cups of water
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 cups flour
- Food coloring
- Whisk
- Pot
- Spoons
- Small containers to store paint
- Paper
- Masking tape or painter’s tape