Materials
Puzzles appropriate for the children's skill level (typically 6 to 12 pieces for threeyear-
olds)
Instructions
11. Help the children put on paint smocks.
12. Cover the work surface with newspaper and put fingerpaint paper on top of
the newspaper.
13. Give the children a choice of colors: red, yellow, or orange. (Make orange
paint by blending red and yellow.)
14. Encourage the children to cover the entire paper with color. Show them how
to use their whole hands rather than their fingertips.
15. When they are finished, help them wash their hands.
16. Let the paintings dry overnight. If necessary, weight the dry paintings to flatten
and uncurl the edges.
17. The following day, help the children put on their smocks again. Give each
child his dry fingerpainting.
18. Pour gold paint onto paper plates or trays.
19. Show children how to dip a leaf-shaped sponge into the paint, wipe off the
excess, and make prints on top of their fingerpaintings.
10. When the sponge prints are dry, display them to catch the sunlight.
More to do
More Art: Using double-sided tape, affix leaves to tables and make leaf rubbings
with unwrapped crayons.
Math: Cut out leaves of varying types and sort into categories.
Science: Collect leaves and discuss shapes, colors, and sizes.
