Toddlers are natural born explorers. As they become more mobile and master crawling, walking and climbing, their world opens up to them like never before. Remember, the toddler’s brain is still developing and play is an important way that your child learns and practices skills they will need for life. Toddlers love repetition in their play – practice makes perfect. Most of all toddlers love to share their play with their parent. Sharing play with children tells them that you care and that they are important. Spending time playing with your toddler is also a great way of finding out how they are feeling and about their unique personality.
TOPIC: Messy PlayToddlers love the experience of play and often this means the messier the better. Messy play such as finger painting, water play, moulding clay or play doh are great ways for children to stimulate their sense of touch and get creative. This month we are looking at different ways that you can join your child in messy play. We have included two suggestions for you to try.
Water based paints and a washable surface are all that is required for finger painting! Use the opportunity for you and your child to explore the new colours that are made by mixing two colours together. Talk with your child about how the colours change and the new colours made.
Finger painting is a great way for your child to practice their drawing skills without having to manage a brush or a crayon. Draw pictures of family, friends and favourite toys. Have your child describe their drawings to you (they often they need explanation!) Ask about the painting. For example, if the painting is of a person ask your child about the person – Is the person tall or short? Boy or girl? Does she have straight hair or curly hair?
If you want to keep an impression of your child’s artwork, lay a clean piece of paper over the painting and press evenly. You should end up with a great reproduction!
Whilst you child’s hands are covered in paint, why not take the opportunity to create some lasting memories? Remember how quickly children seem to grow? Capture how small they are now by using their hands and feet to create stamps. If your child is willing, cover the palm of a hand or sole of a foot in water based paint and on some clean paper or card create lasting hand and footprints of your child. Your child will love it. Cut them out and use them to make greeting cards for your family and friends.
If you have ever felt put off by the clean up associated with finger painting give this a try.
Squirt some shaving cream onto any washable surface and go for it. If you want you can add powder paint to create colour. The outside surface of a window that is safely within reach of your child makes a perfect canvas for your budding artist and is easily cleaned up – simply hose or wash off with water!
SHARE YOUR IDEASLet us know what you think of these ideas or tell other parents about great ideas for messy play that you love to do with your child. We will post your feedback and suggestions on this site. Just and send us an activity that you have used to have fun with your child
The Kids Count website is part of the “Every Child is Important” campaign
which has been developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation and supported
by the Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services.
