With lots of festive talk and preparations at home and school over the last couple of weeks - I wanted to set up something fun for the children on their return home from a busy day at school. Something that would be calming but creative. Collaborative and fun. I work hard to build positive relationships between the children. I find activities where they can either create or play alongside each other are a positive way to do this. I see them helping each other, sharing, praising each other on their efforts - it's magic for me as their Mum to watch them like this.
A few weeks ago I was kindly gifted some wonderful materials for Little Brian Art. I have used them lots in the past and I am yet to find a product that I wouldn't highly recommend.
I used the large creative roll of paper and sellotaped it down onto the table to secure it in place.
It is important to do this as the paper will move around too much as they reach out for their creative materials. Not only is this an annoyance for the children but it does really crease up the paper.
It is important to do this as the paper will move around too much as they reach out for their creative materials. Not only is this an annoyance for the children but it does really crease up the paper.
Since I have used these paint sticks, they have become a go to media for me when being creative with the children. They are mess free. You mark make on the paper and within seconds it is dry!
They are honestly a game changer for activities like this where you don't want to get out lots of messy paint. I was supervising this activity on my own too.
When I have paint out inside the house I like to have another pair of hands with me with the 3 of them. If you haven't given them a try yet then you're missing out.
The children were over the moon with this activity and couldn't wait to get stuck in. Neve not only created her own designs and patterns but also drew gifts that were inside.
The boys spoke about the shapes of the gifts and whether they were small gifts or big gifts. This was additional language that I was able to observe from afar. I love activities that show us what the children know naturally. I am a big believer on hands on learning like this.
The boys did a mixture of things during the activity. They enjoyed mixing the colours and making new ones by rubbing a new colour over existing marks that they made.
Their imaginations ran wild with the paint sticks and they made their way around the table making large tracks which they told me were the paths for Father Christmas on Christmas night.
It was so lovely to hear them sharing their intentions. So precious!
It was so lovely to hear them sharing their intentions. So precious!
Lets see this activity in action:
This was such a successful activity I am thinking about doing it all over again before the festive season is out. I may even look at doing a similar activity for Christmas Jumper Day that is coming up really soon.
If you give this activity a go - do get in touch with me. I absolutely love to see your crafts and activities. There are lots of ways to get in touch with me using the links under the image below or tagging me in images you share.
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