Sensory Fun

Spring Lesson Plans

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Fall Lesson Plans

Pinecone Painting with Spice Paints​

Lesson Plan:

​Activity:

Pinecone Painting with Spice Paints

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:  

Child 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: 

1. Place 1 Tbsp of each spice in 3 separate containers
2. Add 1 Tbsp of flour
3. Add 4 Tbsp of water
4. Add 1 Tsp of corn starch
5. Add 1 Tsp of dish soap
6. Mix  ingredients
7. 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
  

8.   Place paints, pinecones and paintbrushes in an appropriate area for painting. Explore the sense of smell with child as they paint. 

Assessment: 

• Observe and record the child’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 child’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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