Paint Skills and Challenges

Paint is a favorite activity in the Rocks and Rivers classroom. Many children have mastered the initial skills that are taught in the first six weeks of school.  There are a lot of steps to remember in this process and the children are stretching their thinking and memory as they work in paint.  

At school we use only one brush most days. The brush must be washed when a child changes colors.  "Swish, swish, swish, slide!" are the words that help the children remember to wash the brush in the water and to slide off any drips.  

"Squish, squish, squish!" are the words that help the children remember to dry the brush and to smooth the bristles for the next use.  

Children have explored color and the sensory experience of using paint and most are moving into a time of learning to express ideas and understanding through representational forms.  

Some days paint is "open" and children may paint anything they want or imagine. Other days there is a challenge, something we hope they will try.  This week many children are taking on the challenge of painting an apple and showing the colors and the shape.