Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Not Just Cute

Whole Child Development

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Contact
  • New? Start Here.

Preschoolers Painting with Water – Can it get any easier?

February 24, 2009 by notjustcute Filed Under: Create, Learning through Play and Experience 2 Comments

dscn11802It seems too simple for many adults to consider, but from a child’s point of view, painting with water is a fascinating activity!  Paint cups filled only with water and a brush transfer disappearing patterns on chalkboards or sidewalks.  The consistency of the medium causes any excesses to find their own course of least resistance, giving every masterpiece an abstract flair, while also giving the artist a front row seat to the evolving shape created.  Combine the water painting with chalk for a unique creative experience as the two media are combined.dscn0938

I often introduce painting at the easel by having the children paint with water.  Together, we can work through the processes of brush control, keeping the paint at easel, and keeping the lids on the containers, without the mess of actual paint.  It’s almost like training wheels for little artists! 

For older children progressing along the writing spectrum, I sometimes write words or letters, or even shapes, on the chalkboard with chalk and then invite them to trace over the lines with the paintbrush and water.  This is a great activity for building hand-eye coordination and motor control.  Additionally, science and sensory skills are supported as the children observe, and then intentionally use, the properties of water. 

Painting with water is a great activity when you’re trying to balance out messy projects that require more supervision in your classroom, or when you need an outdoor activity, but have little time for cleanup.  For something so simple, painting with water is an activity that always gets high marks from the children!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Comments

  1. Mia says

    June 5, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    We really enjoyed this activity. Thanks for the idea! http://logansbabyblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/painting-with-water.html

    Reply
    • notjustcute says

      June 6, 2011 at 7:28 am

      Thanks for sharing your link, Mia. I love to see these posts come alive for other people. I also really loved how you tied in the concept of evaporation. So natural and so exciting! That’s what playful learning is all about for me!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

search this site

Privacy & Cookies: This site may use cookies to customize your experience. Learn more by reading our Privacy Policy.

I’m Amanda Morgan. Here’s what I’m about…

In early education, there is too much distance between what we know and what we do. I bridge the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that together, we can improve the quality of early education while also respecting and protecting the childhood experience.

Content Copyrighted (2008-2025), Amanda Morgan, All Rights Reserved

Get Our Newsletter & Developmental Guide

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Swank WordPress Theme By, PDCD

 

Loading Comments...