More than forty years ago, the founder of Sony, Ibuka Matsura, a truly versatile person, created a fund to promote the early development of children. Companions of the shrewd Japanese, it was proved that the brain of a child under the age of three years is able to absorb such a huge amount of information that an adult did not even dream of. Thus, repeated scientific research was conducted on activities with children, which until then were considered too difficult for them. It was learning to play the violin, roller-skating and so on. The results were simply stunning: the children effortlessly mastered complex, new skills.
One of the most important areas of early development is creativity. Such activities include: modeling, playing with sand or cereals, sorting out small objects and, of course, drawing with finger paints. Yes, a small child is not yet able to hold the brush correctly, but this is not required, and parents must provide him with the opportunity to create. At a minimum, this will give a lot of positive emotions, and in the global sense it will be a good assistant in the
development of fine motor skills of the baby and, as a result, his speech.
Externally, finger paints resemble gouache, but only their composition is significantly different, since they are intended for use by kids. Their chemical formula does not contain substances that are hazardous if accidentally swallowed; they are easily washed off clothing and washed from almost any surface. In quality paints, as a rule, food coloring is used. These properties, knowing the love of little children to drag everything in their mouths, are very important.
Finger paints - at what age to start?
You can start at the age of about six months, there is no younger age limit, although manufacturers usually write on the package that paints are intended for children aged two or three years, but such inscriptions rarely stop enthusiastic mothers. Of course, despite the neutrality of their chemical composition, you should not let the child eat them in large quantities, however, he is unlikely to do this, since their taste leaves much to be desired. This is also done intentionally so that the baby as soon as possible loses food interest in them.
Many mothers conduct such classes with children under one year old, and many like it. So that this event does not spoil the mood of the mother, the child should be dressed in a special apron for drawing or wear those clothes that are not a pity to stain. The kid does not need to be left alone with the paints, and, of course, you should think about the workplace so that it does not take much time to clean it.
There is no upper age limit either: these classes will be interesting for the child at 3, 5, and even 10 years, only he will draw in a completely different way.
How to draw with finger paints
There are many ideas for applying such paints, and the fantasy of mom or dad can throw a bunch of options. But, of course, do not forget about the age of the child, because the younger he is, the more simple tasks he should be given. For kids who are not yet a year old, finger paints will be a new toy, and traces in the form of appearing multi-colored dots, a fingerprint or a heel will lead him into complete delight.
Older children can be offered:
- draw in coloring books or special ones adapted for finger paints;
- apply the picture with a sponge;
- use stencils, complicating the drawing as the child grows older;
- paint the tile wall in the bathroom;
- use a brush.
Some mothers, despite all the assurances that the colors are safe, do not trust their manufacturers or do not have the opportunity to purchase them. This is also not a problem - paints can be made independently. Quite a lot of simple recipes for their manufacture at home have been invented.