Materials
large sheets of paper, about 12" x 16" each
poster paint
pans
liquid soap
towels
marker
Instructions
1. Clear an area of the floor in the classroom (or bring the children outside, if
weather permits). Set out several pans of paint beside the large sheets of paper.
Also set out a bucket of water with a squeeze bottle of liquid soap and towels
the children can use to clean themselves with after the activity.
2. Invite the children to take off their shoes, step in the paint, and walk across the
paper, making footprint paintings. Note: Make sure to have extra adults
available to help ensure the paint stays on the paper.
3. After each child makes his footprint and the paint has time to dry, hang them
paintings side-by-side at the children's eye level. Take care to line them up for
easy comparison.
4. Ask the children to describe their prints. Talk about sizes of the prints; talk
about what shapes the parts of feet resemble.
5. Point out the balls of the toes; explain that they are round like circles. Find the
circular shapes on all of the printings. Ask the children to compare the circles
on each print. Ask the children to trace with their fingers the circular shapes on
the bottoms of their feet.
6. Outline the circular areas in marker.
7. Consider having the children walk heel-to-toe along the paper, making the
outlines of shapes with their feet.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
l Can the child identify the circle in his footprint?
l Can the child find other shapes in his footprint?
