Art is such a special form of expression. Children in my care begin expressing themselves through art very young, as young as one year old. From edible art, clay, to glue and glitter, and everything in between. All forms of art. However finger painting is a life force all on its own 🙂
Valentine’s day was on the horizon, and it has always been the practice of my day home to produce special crafts for special dates. This particular valentine’s day was no exception. This year my toddlers out weighed my older children. Trying to get my creative juices flowing I sat my children down to discuss what they would like to give their parents to show their love. They had dreams of grandeur, crafts far beyond their capabilities. Smiling, my heart was so happy to see their excitement, and watching them use their imagination. But alas a decision had to be made.
Finger painting felt like a really good solution, or so I thought. Little children wrapped in paint shirts, cups filled with all the colors of the rainbow ready for their little fingers. Large sheets of paper lined the table. My ingenious thought was to let them paint and then cut out hearts to make finger painted flowers. I prepped the children with a speech about paint being only on the paper, in addition to using one color at a time, wiping their hands in between colors as good as possible. Reminding them to not lick their fingers (yes they have done this in the past with other elements). Once everyone was settled I watched their creativity soar. Assuming I was safe to go to the bathroom (first mistake), only to hear an uproar of laughter. Rushing out, I discovered some of the paint pots had been spilled, and quickly became a huge mess.
Once I got the paint cleaned up, the children finished finger painting. I quickly realized that face cloths were not going to work to wash the paint off of little hands. Sending the older children to wash their hands independently (second mistake), resulted in a rainbow bathroom. Walls, sink, towels, all drenched in water downed paints.
Trying in vain to tidy up the bathroom and taking one toddler at a time to wash up was exhausting. I was definitely getting my steps in. I suddenly heard paper tearing, (my third mistake). The paper had started to dry and stick to the paper on the table. Everyone was trying to pick up their masterpieces and put them on the counter to continue to dry, leaving slices of their pictures stuck to other pieces of paper.
Finger painting was exhausting, but the finished product was stunning. Their little flower bouquets were received with much love from their parents. I still do finger painting, but I am much more experienced and well prepared when we take on such elaborate crafts.