LATEST STORIES
Painting and Drawing
We strive to give our tamariki daily access to paint or drawing equipment to create with and to explore. We offer a variety of colours, types, and materials. We notice that each child feels comfortable holding or using the resources differently. Some children use big arm movements, while others might stamp, mash Scribble or dot with the paintbrush/pen.
Whichever way our tamariki choose to create, they are learning cause and effect as they see the markings they make on the paper. They are strengthening muscles in both their arms, and hands. The bigger movements are contributing to the development of their gross motor skills, while the smaller more precise movements of their hands and fingers around the brush/pen are helping to develop their fine motor skills.
Creating art is also a very social activity in the Tui room, as it is a favourite activity that tends to draw a crowd. Our tamariki are able to engage in social behaviour while expressing themselves artistically. We often notice them mimicking the actions and movements they see their friends doing, and seeing if they can produce a similar result. (Such as dotting paint over the paper) This is an example of our tamariki are applying a working theory to better understand their world.