Pinecone Painting with Spice Paints

Lesson Plan:

Activity:

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed

Age Group:

Toddlers

* Lesson plan objectives and assessments can be adapted to use this activity with preschoolers and school-age children.

Objectives:

Children will:

practice fine motor skills by controlling a paintbrush.
explore their sense of smell.

CDA Competency Standard:

II.4.3a

Activities and materials encourage children to develop their senses
- a) Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch experiences are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Materials:

cinnamon
pumpkin pie spice
ground ginger
flour
corn starch
dish soap
food coloring
small bowls
paintbrushes
pinecones

Procedure:

Place 1 Tbsp of each spice in 3 separate containers
Add 1 Tbsp of flour
Add 4 Tbsp of water
Add 1 Tsp of corn starch
Add 1 Tsp of dish soap
Mix ingredients
Add food coloring (about 20 drops per container. The more food coloring you put the brighter your spice paints will be).
- Cinnamon – approximately 20 red drops
- Pumpkin Spice – approximately 5 red drops, 15 yellow drops
- Ginger – approximately 20 yellow drops
Place paints, pinecones and paintbrushes in an appropriate area for painting.
Explore the sense of smell with children as they paint.

Assessment:

Observe and record the children’s fine motor skills. Were they able to control the paintbrush? How did they react to the different smells? Be sure to take photos during the activity and place in the children’s portfolio along with your anecdotal notes.

Note: Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children. Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard.

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