About two months ago, I decided to explore the idea of painting on a bigger canvas than a notepad.
I brought out a big roll of paper, Crayola washable tempera paints with brushes and let Lexi explore it.
Painting on paper quickly got old and she proceeded to color all over her body. She was probably one of the most fun and creative activities that can be done with a toddler. Lexi is usually very active and prefers either doing something physical or reading. Drawing or painting wasn’t something that kept her attention for TOO long.
However taking it outside and making it messy opened a whole new world of possibilities for her. This is the activity we do virtually every day. Sometimes she gets VERY messy, other times she paints on paper, but she always gets some paint on her and around her which makes our patio the perfect place for it.
Because tempera paint isn’t supposed to be used on skin (even though we wash it off almost immediately), I bought the Crayola Finger paint to be used for this activity. It’s not a nice and bright as tempera but it certainly is good enough.
Her favorite thing to do is mix up colors and then use her feet and hands to make, what she calls, “Elmer tracks” (Elmer for elephant from the book). These pictures signified the very first time we did this outside on a big roll of paper and you can see the concentration and interest in every single one of them.
I love how its so nice out up here now we can take these activities outside! We did two outside things to make up for my slacker mom status last week: http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/05/52-weeks-of-toddler-experiences-weeks-9.html
I love kids making a mess, we did something similar a few weeks ago. She looks like she’s having a blast here!
This is an awesome idea!!! Most moms stick their kids in front of TV and thats their most creative time. You though devoted to make it different even when it comes to upbringing. I truly admire you Elena :))
Well, I don’t think most moms stick kids in front of a TV, but I still appreciate the compliment 🙂
Sorry I am only speaking from my personal observation, I didn’t mean thatALL the parents are the same. I am only saying I’ve so far only met the ones who use their TV set at their babysitters providing the most and only exciting education their children get which is soap operas and cartoons. I find it sad and admire your effort! :+)
I see! Well, that’s just sad! Children can bring so much joy, if you give them a chance!
Anna, I will venture a guess that you do not have a lot of experience with child rearing. You can admire Elena without putting down other moms, you have no idea of the challenges they face and circumstances that they may have.
Hi Irina, you are right I have no children or experience with them. I am not a family type of person at all and to be frank not even planning to have children. However I am a very curious person and all I am saying here is that I am admiring Elena because most of my mates now have children and all the do is put their kids in front of their TV set to stop them from annoying moms. I have no idea whats good and whats bad when it comes to kids however I personally watch TV only on special occasions as it bores me 🙂 In other words, I simply #LOVE what Elena does :)) Thanks for sharing Irina!