The Problem (the exciting opportunity for learning):
A child is painting at the easel. The paint is a bit thin and is dripping down the paper.
Children's Possible Solutions
1. He gets a facial tissue and uses it to blot up excess paint.
Your Role: Compliment the child on his resourcefulness. Using a tissue to blot the paint was a good idea. Be certain lots of tissues are available.
2. As he continues painting, he has more drips. He rubs some drippy
places with facial tissue, causing smearing. Now he uses the smearing as a
technique to push the paint along the paper.
Your Role: Compliment the child on learning a new painting technique. Ask if he would like to teach it to other children.
3. Another child has been watching with interest. She wants to paint,
but states that she wants to use thick paint.
Your Role: Brainstorm with the children. What might they add to the paint to thicken it? Encourage all safe solutions and provide materials for the children to try. Offer small amounts of paint to experiment with.
To Extend the Experience
1. Plan an art activity where children drip small spoonfuls of thin paint on their papers then tilt the papers to let drips create colorful designs.
2. Make a chart of all the materials children used to thicken the paint. Check which did and did not work.
3. Put paints of different thicknesses at the easel for children to use.
4. Show children pictures of modern art with its drippy, splashed and smeared techniques.
This problem solving activity helps children develop critical thinking skills
and motor skills.
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