Chopstick painting

A unique art process that will enhance fine motor development in your students

I love sharing new and unique art processes with all of you!  Chopstick painting is a process that each child can explore in different ways…

Introducing a Story

We tied the process of chopstick painting to the book “Chopsticks” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  If you haven’t read any of Rosenthal’s books, then I would highly recommend you check them out!  They are ironic, funny, and really sweet.  “Chopsticks” is no different!  This book is about two friends, who also happen to be chopsticks.  As most chopsticks are, these two friends are inseparable.  But when one of the two friends gets broken and needs to mend, the two friends must be separated for the very first time.  Though it was difficult, the friends realized that distance does, indeed, make the heart grow fonder and their friendship was strengthened by their time apart…

Expanding on the Story

The art table was inviting with a basket of cotton balls and trays of brightly colored paint.  Each child had their own set of chopsticks that they could use…

All of our children knew what chopsticks were, and a few of them even had some experience using them.  But for most of our children, trying to figure out how to use the chopsticks was not an easy thing…

Building Fine Motor Skills

After a short demonstration on different ways they could use the chopsticks, the children all went about it in their own way.  Although many of the children did say they knew how to use the one handed technique for eating with chopsticks, most of the children found a two-handed technique to pick a cotton ball out of the basket and then to dip it into the paint to be easiest…

However, much to our surprise, a few of the children became quite adept at using the chopsticks with just one hand.  It was pretty amazing, considering I even have trouble using chopsticks with just one hand!

Enjoying the Process

Once the children had their cotton balls, they dipped them into paint colors of their choice and then proceeded to paint their paper.  Techniques differed for this, as well.  Each child explored this process in their own way.  Some of the children took their cotton balls and dabbed them on their paper, leaving little cotton ball prints all over.  One little girl used only one color, which is a reminder that young children are focused on the process, rather than the end product…

Other child explored all of the colors of paint, but one little guy chose to also incorporate the cotton balls into his artwork…

Working Together

Two other children chose to work collaboratively on their masterpiece…

They used their cotton balls and chopsticks like true paint brushes to push and mix the paint all over their paper until they had a beautiful mess…

Why we Love Chopstick Painting

The wonderful thing about exploring art through a process like this is that each and every child takes something different away, both in skill and in product…

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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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