Once again we're at our favourite activity, painting. Today it's painting with Q-Tips (cotton buds) and I've included a Printable 1-10 Number Template if you'd like to include some number learning.
Ages: 2-6+
(M was 3.5 here. See the bottom of the post for details to simplify or extend for younger or older children)
Click HERE to download a copy of this basic 1-10 Number Template
With your child, identify and count each of the written numbers.
Have your child place the corresponding amount of dots in each square.
Encourage your child to use whatever colours they like but ensure that each time they change colours, they re-count the dots they've already done and then count-on from there to add the remaining dots.
(eg. 1, 2, 3, 4 blue dots... So, you have 4..., 5, 6, 7, 8 yellow dots)
Using just 2 colours can be good as it allows your child to see 2 different amounts of dots making one total amount. (Eg. 4 blue dots and 4 yellow dots make 8 dots. So 4 and 4 is 8. Try other combinations, 3 & 5, 2 & 6 etc.)
Maddie really enjoyed this. For her, it's not about learning, it's about having fun, being challenged and achieving things
Time to get creative with some free painting
Use different Q-tips for colour mixing
Look at and discuss the different shapes and textures achieved by painting with a Q-tip
Try creating simple dot pictures
This entire picture had a running dialogue. From animals walking around to waterholes and jungles (Can't you tell?). Story telling through painting can be so therapeutic.
Try painting with multiple Q-tips at the same time
Look at the patterns and colours.
This would be cool for making your own wrapping paper or crafting paper
Handy Tips:
- Simplify this activity by simply allowing free painting with the Q-tips. For some basic number recognition, counting and one-to-one correspondence, try focusing on 1 number at a time
- Extend this activity by challenging your child to find as many different colour combinations as they can for the same number. (eg, how many different ways can you make 8 dots using 2 colours, 3 colours, 4 colours etc.)
- Mix it up by making a garden picture and having each of the petals done with a q-tip. Each flower could have a different number of petals for the child to count and paint.
- Remember that sometimes children just create, they don't need it to be a specific item at the end. It could just be an abstract creation. Allow this and don't push them to think they must paint something "real."
- Talk with your child about what they are doing. This will help them understand the physical and mental processes they are going through as well as giving them the vocabulary to describe it.
- Listen to your child talk as they go through their experiences. This will help you determine where they are at with their learning, knowledge and understanding and help you to develop the activity (or future activities) to their level and interests.
Happy playing and learning,
Debs :)
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