A very fun activity to do in a childcare center is to make a large children’s painting that everyone can participate in. The nice thing about it is that you can add very original decorations to the walls to brighten up the manger. The children really enjoy it and at the same time you work on their development. They learn, among other things, to feel new materials. In this article I will explain to you how we can make such a painting. This is a must for every childcare worker!
Supplies
- Paint in different colors
- Large sheet of thick paper or cardboard
- Pair of scissors
- Crepe paper in different colors
- Colored pencils
- Coloring markers
- Coloring pages of flowers and butterflies, etc.
- Keep wet wipes nearby
- Glue
- Double-sided tape
- Possibly photos of the children helping with the painting
Method
- First, place the large sheet of cardboard or thick paper on the floor, where there is enough space. Children who cannot participate must of course remain under the supervision of another childcare provider. It is best to put all the necessary materials within reach, for you, not for the children! You can also see it as a kind of project, because it certainly won’t be finished in one day!
- Then you decide which craft material you will use first. For example, you are going to use paint first. You can choose to have a number of children paint at the same time. You can take off their clothes so that only their diaper gets dirty or you can put on a painting apron. Protect yourself too! Press a number of colors of paint onto the large sheet. You can let the children put their feet in and stamp with their feet and you can also do that with their hands. You can also let the more independent toddlers work with paint brushes. Always keep wet wipes near you so that they do not dirty this entire space. Once we’re done with that, let’s let the paint dry. This can sometimes be enough for one day and so you can spread the activity over a week, which can be a lot of fun.
- Once the paint has dried, you can work with crepe paper, for example. This needs preparation. You can sit together with some of the oldest toddlers and make crepe paper wads. You cut out the strings for them and they have to roll the strings into balls or wads. Once you have made enough of it, you can continue decorating the painting. You, as a childcare worker, put dots of glue on the painting and the children can stick the dots on them. What is always important at all steps is good guidance! You can also use the crepe paper as a final step to form a frame.
- You can also have the coloring pages colored in advance. Then you cut them out and you can also glue them to the painting. You can also just let the children do their thing with the crayons and markers. Finally, you can also add photos of the little artists
Finish
Now that the painting is finished, you can cut a shape into it or keep the square shape. Stick enough double-sided tape to the back and stick the painting to the wall. Finished! Parents can enjoy a beautiful work of art that their child was able to participate in. Have fun!