Pretty pink and blue car painting in preschool

It is fascinating to me how combining a favorite toy with some paint, often reaches children who would otherwise dismiss coming to the painting center all together. Cars, for example, are great toys that children love to play with. Add a set of cars to paint and all of my students are suddenly interested in the painting process…

When I first set out the cars for painting, I only provided white paint.  In my mind, car tracks should either be white paint on black paper or black paint on white paper but then my students started asking me if they could have another color. My first reaction was to argue my point about why we should use white paint but then I realized that I was being silly. I mean really – who cares what color the tracks are?…

I have learned throughout this year that it is important to be an observer of the painting experience so I can evaluate what the children enjoy or what I need to change to make the process more engaging – right there on the spot!…

So per request, we added some color.  The girls wanted red paint and the boys requested blue and green. They had a choice from every color I had in the box including orange, green, and others but this is what we ended up with. Once the new colors were added to the white paint, many of my students spent up to 45 minutes painting with their cars…

There are days when some of my students don’t want to stop their play to sit down and paint.  This tells me that the painting activity is competing for their attention rather than capturing their attention…

Adding unique painting tools or more color or bigger paper or a number of other things can make the painting process more intriguing to young children. Adding cars kept the element of play involved in the painting process and didn’t leave the children feeling like they had to give up on their play in order to do something else.

But once we added color, car painting took on another dimension. Car painting now became about the process of color mixing.  The children explored the mixing of white paint with the other colors which resulted in beautiful pastel pink, blue, and green colors…

Links to grow on…

M is for Mud Painting by Crayon Freckles

Transportation Week in Preschool: Links shared by Teach Preschool on Delicious

PreK + K Sharing
Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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