Snow painting with a toddler

A fun and simple way to explore color with snow!

While on break from preschool, we have been getting lots of snow and it has also been very cold outside. This is my grandson’s first year to be old enough to explore snow but since it is so cold outside, we have been bringing the snow inside for a little exploration and snow painting…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

The preschool experience at home (a non-designated preschool space) with young children is often a different experience than what takes place in a classroom setting (a designated preschool space) because you are working in an environment where everyday living by the entire family takes place rather than in an environment solely designed for the preschool experience.  Although activities may look and be a little different, both the process at home and in a preschool classroom can lead to amazing learning and development…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Preparing the Invitation to Explore

While my grandson was taking his nap, I set up a little snow play station in my kitchen.  Normally, I would have put everything out ahead of time as an invitation to play but my grandson never wants to do anything until he has had his snack, so before diving into our snow play – we had a snack. Then I dumped a bowl of snow into the middle of the table…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Experimenting with Color

On the counter, I had already prepared a few dishes of colored water (food color added to water) and paint brushes.  I set out the blue water first and my grandson immediately started exploring…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

While my grandson explored the blue water and paintbrush, I set out the other colors of water I had prepared…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

My grandson went around the table exploring the different colors of water – sometimes painting a little on the snow and sometimes just stirring the water in the tray…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

My grandson came and went from the snow painting table throughout the next little while.  He would wander off every few minutes to go and play with his toys then come back to the table to explore some more…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Adding to the Experience

While he was off playing with other toys, I would change the table up a little or move things around just to see if the change would create new interest in exploring the color and the snow…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Making Observations

Then my grandson would come back to see what I was doing and play a little more with the snow.   While he played, I would say statements like “Brrrr, the snow is cold!” or “The snow turned blue!” and so on…

Snow painting with a toddler by Teach Preschool

Building Vocabulary

My grandson is learning to say lots of new words right now and it seems the words “cold” and “hot” or “up” and “down” are at the top of his vocabulary list of new words…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

A fun and Simple Process!

There was no right or wrong to this process – it was simply an exploration of color and snow and all the concepts that naturally arise as my grandson explored…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

My role as the facilitator of play was to keep the process inviting. I tried to make a simple snowman but the snowman looked a little more like a snow mountain. My grandson liked the ball on top so we focused on the snowball instead…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Our exploration of snow was a simple experience with no specific pre-planned agenda. As my grandson explored the snow, I watched for opportunities to keep his interest but when he would go off to do something else for a bit (like try on my house shoes) I modified the experience to see if he might come back and try exploring a little more…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

And yes, we did drop a little snow on the floor during our play but no worries, I had a towel handy for just this purpose…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

After awhile, my grandson had definitely moved onto other interests so I simply dumped the snow into the sink and wiped down my board and table. A simple process to set up and take down…

Snow Painting by Teach Preschool

Available on Amazon

Want to see what snow painting looks like in the classroom setting?  Then click here for more!

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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