The Preschooler

Texture Painting

Painting is most often thought of as a visual activity.  Children are able to select from an array of vibrant colors that are stimulating to the eye.  However, painting can also be invigorating to the senses of smell and touch as well.

The next time you prepare to let your child paint, try using corn starch, sand, spices, powdered drink mix, coffee grounds, salt or liquid starch to the paint.  Allow your child to paint with his fingers as well as brushes.  Ask him to describe what he sees, feels, and smells.  Ask questions using texture words such as smooth, rough, warm, cold, dark, bright, strong, weak, etc.

Another option is to paint on various surfaces that provide different textures.  Some examples are sand paper, wood, and even a mirror or glass.  You can also provide your child with objects that can be attached to their artwork such as ribbon, buttons, lace, paper doilies, sequins, scraps of material, etc.  All of these can be additional sources of sensory experiences.

You may not want to introduce all of these textures on the same day.  Try using one or two per day for a week, and ask your child to recall his previous experiences in order to make comparisons.

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Written by BRWI Staff on November 12, 2010