It is typical for families to make a memory box filled with medals, favorite stuffed animals, and even all of your old art projects from your school years.  While those simple crafts and messy paintings might seem like just a memento, they might actually be a key in helping children develop.

Painting is an activity that is highly engaging for most kids as when finger painting they get to experience the sensory input of dipping their fingers in the paint and the way it feels when they drag them along the page or even just getting to see all of the colors as they push a brush around.  This art form is a powerful avenue in which children can convey their ideas, sharpen their senses, express emotion, and even get a better understanding of cause and effect relationships.  Children get an experience to directly manipulate and try out different techniques for spreading paint and even what happens when mixing colors together.  It is also a great opportunity to help children develop their language and social skills.  Children are put in a situation where they must communicate what materials they need and learn to ask for assistance when they need help with something.  Language can also be supported farther by the caregiver asking the artist prompting questions such as “what color is this?” and “what shapes are those?”

When it comes to painting with children it is important to use non-toxic materials and provide them with large paper and various brushes to allow for exploration.  Nonetheless, painting truly is a powerful tool so go grab the smocks! 

 

Read the full article: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/early-care/tip-pages/all/painting-with-young-children

 

Marissa Robarge 

Research Assistant UConn KIDS 

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