Search Results

Go on a nature walk and collect as many natural materials as possible (leaves, sticks, flowers, moss, etc.). Place the materials on butcher paper , provide any kind of tempera paint , and let your child explore through painting. They can paint on the natural materials with their fingers, a paint brush, or they can even use the materials as their painting tools. When children are given the opportunity to paint using different objects, it allows them to add texture to their art in a creative and open-ended way. Painting allows children to express their creativity and have fun. Developing a skill like painting provides the stimulus children need to be successful in all aspects of life. Painting is a great way to build up their fine motor control and muscles. As they hold the different natural materials they are required to move their hand, wrist and arm to create an image on paper. They are also working on their eye and hand coordination, color mixing, color identification and visual planning skills.

All you need is plastic tupperware, loose parts (twigs,rocks, rice, dried beans, shells, salt, sugar, craft materials, etc.) and crazy glue. Place various materials in the Tupperware, place crazy glue around the rim of the containers, let it dry, & then let your little ones play! Sensory blocks let children explore their senses through observation. They are a wonderful way to help your children play and explore the world around them. They help young children relax and soothe themselves by focusing on the motion and sound happening inside the block. The best part is that they can grow with your child through all their stages and can be used in multitude of ways while they play! Blocks are one of those magical toys that have endless possibilities and are intriguing to young children. They promote a variety of skills and allow children to be involved in an active, hands-on way. By manipulating blocks, children work on their coordination skills by attaching and removing pieces which promote fine motor skills. They also are fostering their cognitive skills by understanding concepts of 'cause and effect'. They are also promoting math skills because as children play with blocks, they will be exploring spatial awareness. When children are able to play and manipulate a variety of materials and textures they stimulate their mind and body.

Acrylic mirrors are an excellent source of visual sensory input and provides visual feedback for experiments! Children are naturally drawn to the exploration of reflection, perception and appearance and it is a rather calming experience as they explore. Simply taping butcher paper to the floor, placing the acrylic mirror as the canvas with drops of Crayloa Fingerpaint provides a reflective sensory art exploration at any age. Finger painting is an excellent tactile experience because it stimulates a child’s senses. (Touch/feel, sight, smell, edible finger paint= taste) The mixing of colors teaches the child about their colors, how to create new colors, cause/effect, and the basics of chemical reactions. It allows them to use their imagination and create in an open-ended way. It is emotionally soothing, too. It strengthens the hand and fingers which helps with fine motor skills.

This simple invitation was to provide sensory exploration as well as experimenting how art materials interact with different surfaces. In other words, surfaces with a different  texture provide for an interesting canvas to explore and paint on at any age. Butcher paper was taped as the base on the play mat (makes for easy clean up), bubble wrap taped on top of the butcher paper, and Lakeshore Learning Foam Sensory Paint (you can use any non-toxic paint). For older children you can tape it to a table or leave it on the floor and let them use paint brushes. This is definitely a process-not-product activity, it is very exploratory and creative. Creating art boosts children's ability to analyze and problem-solve in myriad ways even infants. As they manipulate the paint on the bubble wrap their fine motor skills improve.

Welcome to tinkerwonderplay! A little about me... My name is Ms.Yasmeen. I am the Administrator of three preschools in Alameda, CA. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources & Marketing, a minor in Human Development specializing in Early Childhood Education, as well as a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education. I have 20 years of combined experience in the classroom and administration. I believe children thrive in an environment filled with intention, beauty, curiosity, and wonder and my goal with this new platform is to provide resources to educators, parents, and anyone for all things Early Childhood. Can't wait for you to join my journey as an Administrator, Educator, Mother, and Advocate of #tinkerwonderplay for little ones around the world. With Love, Ms. Yasmeen