Here is a fun creative arts activity that allows children to make fruit trees using finger paint.
Why do children need creative arts activities? According to Sarah Gable in her article “Creativity in Young Children”, “Creativity is more than a product — it’s a process. An interesting painting, a thought-provoking writing, or a unique response, may be examples of creative work, but the decisions people make as they paint, sculpt, write and think are at the core of the creative process. The objective of this publication is to broaden understanding about the creative process for parents and others who work with children and youth…Art and music are common examples of creativity, but you can find creative thought in almost all aspects of life — from the way a parent quiets a crying child to the methods a scientist uses to discover a cure for a disease.”
Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to promote creative development by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination. This craft, making a cherry tree, orange, tree and apple trees using finger paint, is an excellent example of an activity that provides the opportunity to for expression, to encourage spontaneity in material usage, and to introduce children to textured materials. It is also a good way to discuss different types of trees.
This lesson plan includes a materials list, preparation instructions and procedures for this activity to make your childcare job easier. There are also age appropriate learning objectives and a sample of the simple supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.
Finger Print Tree Materials
Brown finger paint
Green finger-paint
Red finger paint
Orange finger paint
Yellow finger paint
Construction or art paper
Preparation
Cover the craft table with butcher paper or newspaper
Set all materials on the table
Instructions
- Call the children over to the activity area and explain that you they can make a beautiful tree using finger paint.
- Help children create the trunk of the tree by dipping their forearm and hand in brown paint and then stamping it onto art paper.
- Show children how to to create the leaves by dipping their forefinger in green paint and stamping on green leaves.
- Ask children if they would like to create a cherry, a lemon tree, or an orange tree depending on the paint color they choose. Help children dip their pinky in their color choice and stamp on apples, lemons or oranges.
- Allow to dry, then display.
Finger Print Tree Lesson Objectives
Objective 1
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities by encouraging the children to create trees using finger paint.
Verbal Cue A: Today we are going to make fruit tress using finger paint!
Verbal Cue B: Would you like stamp apples on the tree?
Objective 2
To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose the colors for their painting.
Verbal Cue A: What color of paint would you like to use?
Verbal Cue B: Would you like to make a cherry, lemon or orange tree?
Kids will have great fun in your childcare center while learning about trees and expressing themselves creatively.
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