By: Kyara Markle, Dimitra Konstantinidis, Diana Quach, Erika Quach

EXPLORING WATERCOLORS

Watercolor Activity for Kindergarteners

Learning Outcomes & Objectives: fine motor skills, explore representation, social development, cognitive development, exploration & experimenting.

Materials:-Watercolor Paper -Watercolor Paint, Paintbrushes & water cups -Smocks

Steps for lesson…

Introduce picture to children. Ask open -ended questions: “What is happening in this picture?”“What is the story telling?” “How many different picture squares are there?” “What shapes do you see?” “What colors do you see?” “What do you think would happen next in the sequence of pictures?”

Introduce Watercolor paint to children. “What does paint feel like – is it sticky, soft, hard, wet?” “Watercolor paint is a different kind of paint that you need water to use” “What does the watercolor paper feel like? What is the texture of it? (ex: soft, hard, bumpy?

By: Kyara Markle, Dimitra Konstantinidis, Diana Quach, Erika Quach

Give each child 3 squares of watercolor paper – time for them to make their own story out of watercolors!

Beginning Middle End

1 + 1 + 1 = 3

* Incorporate math by getting the children to count their painting squares *

Once children have their watercolor paper, introduce watercolor Paints on the paper.

“What happens if you put the brush on the paint without water? Why isn’t the paint going on the brush?”“What happens if you add a little bit of water? What happens if you add a lot of water?”“What happens if you mix colors?”“What happens if you use wet paper? What happens if you use dry paper?” These questions will get the children to observe what is happening, and then they will turn what they are observing into words.

Once children complete their watercolor creations, ask them to put their story together and to explain their story.

* This can be extended by introducing literacy- get the children to write down their story! *

Children can pair up and combine their paintings to make a longer story. * Incorporate math by getting the children to add! 3 + 3 = 6 squares! *

By: Kyara Markle, Dimitra Konstantinidis, Diana Quach, Erika Quach

Extend on the activity …. Show the children what other materials can be used to paint with water colors!

Try a sponge or salt with the watercolor paints!

Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) guidelines:

3.9 Retelling stories: Children will tell stories through their paining and by connecting their “beginning” “middle” and “end” paintings. 4.3 Representation: Children will represent what they know through their painting. 4.5 Observing: Children will observe what happens on their paper while they use different methods and techniques with the watercolor. They will observe the cause and effect. 5.3 Fine Motor Skills: Children will use their motor skills as they hold the paintbrush and experiment pressing light or hard on the paper.

Where to get materials:

Watercolor paints – $3.67 at Walmart.Watercolor pad – $6.27 at Walmart

Art Smock - $4.97 at Walmart

“I used to draw like Raphael. But it has taken me a life time to draw like a child.” –Picasso

By: Kyara Markle, Dimitra Konstantinidis, Diana Quach, Erika Quach

References

Best Start Expert Panel on Early Learning (2007). Early learning for every child

today: A framework for Ontario early childhood settings. Toronto, Ontario:

Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Fox, J. E., & Schirrmacher, R. (2012). Art and creative development for young children.

(8th ed.). Stamford, CT, USA: Cengage Learning.