Finger paints for children: should you buy or not? How to teach a child to use finger paints for drawing At what age do they use finger paints?

List of lessons:

How to paint with finger paints? It’s not difficult to guess what it is, the name speaks for itself paints for painting exactly fingers, and not with brushes.

Why fingers, and What is the difference from ordinary? Everything is very simple. These paints are designed for the youngest artists, our beloved toddlers, who do not yet know how to properly hold brushes in their hands and paint with them, due to the fact that the muscles of the hands of children under 3 years of age are not sufficiently developed.

These paints do not need to be diluted with water, they have the consistency of thick sour cream, just dip your finger and paint. They don't leak or drip. And most importantly, these paints are non-toxic and completely harmless to children (at least that’s what the manufacturers promise us).

At what age do you start drawing?

I heard about these “magic” colors a long time ago, but at what age you should start painting with a child, I had no idea. When my daughter turned one year old, I decided to try to play with my princess. To my great surprise, my daughter really enjoyed the drawing process. It’s true that she doesn’t care where she draws: on paper, on a chair or on herself. I read several articles on the Internet and found out that you can paint with such paints from the age of six months, when the child begins to sit. However, my opinion on this matter is completely different.

Literally until she was one year old, my baby put almost everything into her mouth; it was useless to take it away if only Hold hands all the time. Not I imagine how to draw with a child, if he always strives to eat paints, especially since they are so bright. Although, if I have another baby, I’ll probably try it. If you suddenly invite your child to draw, but he categorically refuses, don’t be upset, try again in a week or two. After a year, babies begin to develop especially quickly; what they did not want or could not do yesterday, today they are happy to do. For example, I tried to explain to my daughter that you can draw with a felt-tip pen, but she never wanted to do it. A week passed, we tried again. Now my little sun can trace any writing object across the paper, and it gives her great pleasure.

Where to begin?

I also asked myself this question when I first bought finger paints. Start by simply sitting your little one in a chair and opening a jar of paint, and then everything will go by itself.

Dip your finger in the paint and draw something. The baby will like it and he will want to try it himself. If the child is inactive, help him. Take your baby's hand, dip his finger in a jar of paint and trace it across a piece of paper. Let this be the end of your first drawing lesson, don’t rush. Both the second and third lessons may be similar to the first, everything will come with time. At first, my daughter really liked to just put her index and thumb into the jar and rub the paint with them. Did she study them by touch? And then I started “drawing” little by little.

What are the benefits of finger paints? Very big. Drawing with such colors develops fine motor skills.

Gives the child an idea of ​​color (while drawing with the baby, pronounce the colors). Teaches the child to build cause-and-effect relationships and develops thinking. What else? Yes, it simply charges the little one with positive energy.

It's difficult to find a child who doesn't like to draw. The kids are convinced that there is no better activity. How to draw becomes clear the moment a child’s hand gets used to holding a pencil, a felt-tip pen and, a little later, a brush.

Draw to your heart's content!

But what about toddlers who have just learned to sit, let alone fine motor skills? At this age, the first experiments with mother’s cosmetics begin, which, it turns out, leave very impressive imprints. And jam or vegetable puree spreads surprisingly well, forming excellent marks.

An alternative to much-needed household items are finger paints for children. They are easy to use. Such paints serve as the basis for all kinds of painting options. So, the baby can make prints with his palm. This produces the effect of a kind of massage and has a beneficial effect on the development of motor skills.

Gradually, you can offer your child a choice of additional application methods. For example, with special stamps and stencils it is easy to create an applique-style design. And with the help of a piece of foam sponge you can depict clouds, snow and similar natural phenomena.

The child will most likely show his parents how to paint with finger paints himself, since his natural curiosity will tell him the answer. Otherwise, the example can be demonstrated to adults. The principle of these paints is simple - wet something and leave an imprint.

Often, when first meeting a new object, a toddler immediately puts it in his mouth. This happens in most cases with paints. In this way, the child learns the properties of an unknown element. Finger paints certified with a quality mark are harmless. The composition, as a rule, includes food coloring, preservatives and water, so their traces can be washed off without much difficulty. If a child decides to taste them while painting, he will most likely be disappointed with the result of his idea, since manufacturers deliberately add a safe, bitter substance to finger paints so that children, having tried it once, do not want to try again. But this is not a reason to leave the child unattended during such an activity.

Kinds

Today on store shelves you can find the following types of paints:

• finger ones (usually in small jars with the appropriate inscription, with the main color palette);
• gouache (paint has greater density and intensity of pigment);
• watercolor (allows you to create light and transparent shades).

Home production

Many parents, to be completely sure of the child’s safety or to save money, prepare paints themselves. Everything you need can be found in almost any kitchen. For preparation, the following ingredients are required: half a kilogram of flour, about 5 tablespoons of fine salt, 1.5-2 tablespoons of butter, enough water so that the mixture looks like thick sour cream. The resulting solution must be brought to complete homogeneity and poured into previously prepared containers with lids. Then pigment is added to each jar. This could be natural vegetable juice or food coloring. After that, the containers filled with paints need to be vigorously shaken. Homemade finger paints are ready!

Preparing for the creative process

So, the material for creativity is available, there are also ideas, all that remains is to prepare the artist himself. Today in stationery stores or children's goods stores you can find a special apron and sleeves designed for labor lessons. If a child has been using finger paints for over a year, then suitable clothes that can be easily washed will be sufficient. When the baby is ready for the creative process, you need to lay out the paper. You can use sheets of whatman paper, but if there are remnants of wallpaper in the house that are no longer useful for repairs, then you can draw on their back side. It is convenient to organize the process directly on the floor, especially if the child is very small. And the best thing is to join the baby and create a family picture together, while receiving a lot of positive emotions.

It is better to place finger paints in a palette or shallow container, from where they can be easily applied to the palm or sponge. You should have napkins or paper towels on hand.

In addition to the usual material for drawing, you can use fabric, and then fix it on a wooden frame and frame it. Then you will get a real picture.

How and where to draw?

Children can be offered even the most unusual at first glance options for creativity. This effectively develops the child's imagination. For example, it’s fun to diversify the bathing process by drawing on the tiles. Finger paints will still be washed off, but the impression and delight will remain in the memory for a long time. Of course, it is important to clearly explain to the child where this can be done and where it is strictly forbidden.

For toddlers just learning creative skills, the usual type of industrial or home-produced paints will suit them. As a rule, the whole process comes down to mixing different colors into one spot or smearing a single-color paint on a sheet. But there is no need to rush and demand results. The baby will definitely please his parents with his skills; now he is just learning to control his hands. Any action is worth praise, because this is the only way to instill in a child a love for the process, and then for achieving results.

What else can you add to drawing?

In the period of 12-18 months, you can expand your artistic arsenal with gouache. The dense texture of the paint will require a lot of effort, but it will surprise you with new possibilities when mastering how to paint with finger paints. After a couple of years, you can try all kinds of tools to create a drawing: brushes, spatulas, stencils.

When the child's hand is ready to hold and control the brush, you can start using watercolors. With it you can create shades, learn how to make color transitions, and adjust the intensity of paint application. Watercolor develops a sense of artistic taste and helps to focus on elusive lines.

Age characteristics

Finger paints provide so many opportunities for creativity. The recommended age for a child to start working with products, according to manufacturers, should be 3 years or older. However, in practice there are no real reasons for such restrictions. Of course, it doesn't hurt to be attentive while your child is using finger paints.

Where are such materials used?

Recently, early childhood development has become relevant. Modern children already have a wider intellectual potential than previous generations. A significant contribution to the current state of affairs is made by teaching methods that stimulate the development of a child from the first months of his life.

One of the tools often used in classes is finger paints. Reviews from parents, as a rule, indicate the effectiveness of such work. Children of any age become calmer, learn to concentrate on the details of a drawing, develop their imagination and successfully realize their creative potential. Such an activity will save them from boredom, since the variety of application options offered is difficult to fully use. Creativity has no boundaries, knows no barriers.

For kids who are just beginning to explore the world with its bright and colorful colors, but do not yet know how to use pencils and brushes, the most necessary thing is children's paints for hand painting.

For young children, practicing with finger paints helps develop tactile sensations, which also ensures the development of the brain and nervous system. Also, in such activities, hand motor skills are developed and color perception is formed. Exercising children with paints has a calming effect and improves their mood.

The structural composition of such paints does not allow them to blur or spread; their consistency allows different colors to mix well. High-quality finger paints are produced using only food-grade coloring ingredients. They contain a lot of table salt.

This is due to the fact that the baby, having tasted the paint once, will not repeat this experience again.

The paint base is water-based, the consistency is gel-like. This allows the paints not to spread, even if the jar falls and turns over, the paint will not spill out of it. Children's paints for hand painting dry quite slowly.

After classes, not only the hands and sheets of paper are covered in paint, but the entire young artist: clothes, arms and legs, face and body. As a rule, good finger paints for children are washed off quickly and without a trace, and clothes are washed. High-quality paints are considered safe for the health of children, since they do not contain harmful substances.

Many people think that a child under the age of one year is not at all capable of such a complex activity as drawing. But it is precisely at this age that the active and comprehensive development of children requires a variety of sensations and activities. Of course, there is no point in giving a child a brush at this age; the development of muscles and hand motor skills is not enough for such a complex activity, and there is still no ability to control the length of a line or draw any shapes. But you can already start working with color, try to transfer paints to paper using finger paints like these.

To get started, even one jar of paint and a large sheet of paper will be enough. You need to show the child how paint gets onto paper, how it can be done with your fingers, with your whole palm. When the baby grows up, you can move on to several colors and mix them.

Such games with paints help the baby develop attention and color perception, and have a positive effect on the development of fine motor skills. In turn, this greatly helps the development of speech in babies: the centers of the brain that are responsible for movement and speech are in close proximity, influencing and interacting with each other. Accordingly, the development of one center entails the development of another part of the brain.

As a rule, finger paints are sold in jars that have a fairly narrow neck. You can only dip one finger into the paint.

You can paint with your whole palm if you pour the paint into flat plastic plates. Young creators really like to leave bright colored handprints on a sheet of paper. Older children can use pieces of a household sponge and brushes when practicing with finger paints. Some finger paint sets have special stamps with different shapes.

Another way to paint with finger paints is to use a stencil. It can be made from cardboard or bought. The smaller the young artist, the simpler the stencil should be.

When your baby gets a little older, you can start mixing different colors. It is enough to make two or three blots of paints of different colors on a sheet of paper and invite the child to smear them. The resulting new colors and their combinations will really appeal to kids.

With finger paints you can create “works of art” not only on sheets of paper and special coloring books, but also on a glass surface, on cardboard, even in the bathroom on tiles. The kids really like the last activity.

Good finger paints are easily washed off from such surfaces. Various large trays, pieces of tarpaulin and plastic film, mirrors and other surfaces that can be easily washed are also suitable for this.

Another way to paint with finger paints that kids love is body painting. Since good finger paints do not contain harmful substances and are safe for children’s skin, you can quite safely allow your child to draw on the skin of their arms and legs, paint their faces, or turn themselves into an “Indian” or a “cat.”

Video. Finger paint.

In order to make the right choice of children's finger paints for drawing, you need to take into account several aspects.

• Firstly, you need to take into account baby's age. When a child has not reached the age of three years, it is necessary to choose special paints that contain a food component with a bitter taste. Having felt this taste on the lips once, the child will not repeat attempts to taste the colors again.
• Secondly, it is necessary to pay special attention to paint composition. They should not contain substances and components that can harm the child’s health. The basis of good children's paints is food coloring.
• Thirdly, it should be taken into account structural component, shape, in which the paint is created. Nowadays, the most popular are finger paints that have a gel base. Such paints do not have a negative effect on the skin and do not dry it out.
• Fourthly, number of colors in the set will also be an important factor for selection, you should also take them into account color scheme. Usually, the standard four or six colors give the child full opportunity to realize his vivid fantasies. You shouldn’t buy “screaming” acidic, neon shades for a little artist.
• Fifthly, when purchasing finger paints you should consider volume and shape packaging of paints. Don’t rush to buy paints in large quantities; if the young artist likes them, you can always repeat the purchase. Finger paints are usually sold in jars, but there is also gouache that comes in tubes.
• Sixth, be sure to carefully study information located on the package with the kit: who is the manufacturer of this product, what are the rules for the safe use of the product, as well as the date of manufacture of this product and the period of its use.

Today, the most famous manufacturers of children's paints for hand painting are:

The so-called touch paints appeared in the family of finger paints. Small particles of sand, which are added to the composition of the paints, allow children's fingers, when drawing, to feel not only the gel base of the paints, but also the solid particles in it. Recently, paints with fruit scents have appeared.

In artistic practice, imaginable and inconceivable visual means are used. Sometimes these are ordinary paints, liquid and solid materials of all possible origins, and sometimes the most unexpected substances. The very well-known word “pastel” color (when talking about a delicate, discreet shade) comes from one of the methods of pressing coloring pigments. The word pastel itself comes from a Latin term meaning “dough” or a similar consistency. We will figure out why interesting colored pastel crayons were given such a name, and what types of pastels the modern market can offer you.

Hello everyone, Ekaterina Chesnakova here!

We return again to the topic of children's creativity, without which the full development of a child is impossible. The ability to draw and feel the harmony of colors plays a big role in development. And while the child still does not know how to hold a brush or pencil in his hand, you can offer him finger paints.

In today's article we will learn how to use finger paints, what types exist, and how to prepare them yourself.

What it is?

Just a few decades ago, no one thought about such a new product. Finger paints appeared on markets and in children's departments of stores relatively recently, but mothers have already appreciated their contribution to the aesthetic development of the child.

Really wonderful! He laid out the paints in front of the baby, dipped his finger - and the child was busy. It is not difficult to wash such paints.

For children over one year old, this type of pastime brings many positive emotions. How are finger paints useful for children?

• From the age of 6 months, the baby can immerse himself in the world of color and creativity. There is no need to be afraid that the child will be poisoned: the materials contain only natural ingredients. Of course, the child should draw at first only under the supervision of his parents.
• Development of fine motor skills and brain. The baby learns to remember colors and shapes. In the future, early creativity will affect the activation of speech skills and academic success.
• The creative process is fascinating. The paints are easy to mix to create new colors.
• They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, developing attention and concentration. During the creative process, the baby calms down.
• The paints do not penetrate the skin or parts of clothing and are easily washed off and washed.

Materials for children's creativity are made from natural ingredients. When choosing paints, pay attention to their composition: it should not contain chemicals with unclear names and formulas. Finger paints contain only a few components:

• salt;
• flour or starch;
• water;
• food coloring.

No components you don’t understand!

Types of paints vary depending on the manufacturer and the number of colors. They come with stamps that can be dipped into paint and leave shaped imprints on the paper. This type of drawing is suitable for very young children. The consistency of the material should be thick and not spread.

Check the expiration date: the material is natural, so it deteriorates quickly. Do not buy many colors at once: three or four shades are enough for the first try. What if your child doesn’t like it? Then the creative process will have to be postponed until the moment when the child is ready for it.

If you have chosen a worthy material for your child’s creativity, you should know how to use it correctly.

Rules of application

How to draw if you are encountering paints for the first time? There is nothing complicated about this, you just need to follow the safety rules:

• Place oilcloth on the floor to avoid staining the floors. Place a sheet of Whatman paper on the oilcloth (it’s better to draw on it) and get started.
• Take out the paints and open them. First, dip your finger yourself and draw a line on the paper. The child should not be afraid: show that it is safe.
• If the child is interested, dip his finger in the paint and run it across the paper.
• Subsequently, you can draw lines, rainbows, study colors and geometric shapes, and create entire paintings.
• After the lesson, collect the materials, wash your hands, and you can hang the picture in a visible place: let the child admire his work.

You can figure out how to play with paints yourself. This does not require special skills. Draw sketches of animals, houses, people. You can make up stories and fairy tales about them. In general, the scope for imagination is unlimited: you just need to want it!

Let's cook it ourselves!

You can easily make your own finger paints. All the necessary ingredients can be found in the kitchen of any housewife. For this you will need:

• flour – 0.5 kg;
• vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
• water;
• salt;
• rich baby juices of different shades;
• jars.

Manufacturing procedure:

1. Mix water, vegetable oil and flour so that you get a mass with a consistency like thick sour cream.
2. Add salt (optional). It is necessary to discourage the child from eating paints.
3. Pour the material into jars, add a little thick juice to each to get the desired shade.

This way you will receive absolutely safe materials for children's creativity. Even if the baby eats them, nothing bad will happen. You can add food coloring instead of juice, but then keep an eye on your child while he creates.

Eating dye in large quantities can be hazardous to health. Another way out of the situation is to add more salt: then the baby will definitely not want to try the contents of the jars.

Just a few decades ago there was no such thing as finger paints. As children, we only painted with a brush, or at most with a cotton swab and other objects. The modern stationery industry offers us finger paints - interesting, exciting, and most importantly - safe!

The benefits of finger paints

Today people draw with paints from a very early age, even up to a year. This is not surprising, every mother wants to develop her child, to cultivate an aesthetic principle in him. Introducing creativity is a long journey, but it should not be limited by age. Already in infancy, a child can find favorite colors and draw strange shapes and pictures. It is very interesting to mix colors with each other and get extraordinary shades.

In addition to artistic education, finger painting is a training in fine motor skills. And this, in turn, gives a powerful impetus to the development of the child’s speech.

Drawing is also a whole bunch of positive thoughts and emotions. It’s rare that a child will remain indifferent to such a fun pastime. Drawing teaches many hyperactive children to be attentive, focused, and diligent. In addition, finger paints are very easy to wash and clean, which makes their use even more convenient and practical.

How to choose finger paints

You shouldn’t immediately take a large palette of colors. Before first use, buy 4-5 bright shades that your child will like. After all, it’s important to introduce the child first, what if he doesn’t like it? Considering that paints deteriorate quickly, there is no need to throw money away.

When choosing paint, pay attention to the consistency of the liquid. The paint should be fluid and moderately thick. Buy paint from large and trusted manufacturers.

How to prepare for drawing

This is perhaps the main question that worries many parents. The cleanliness of the room after drawing, as well as the parents’ interest in repeating the experiment, depend on the degree of preparation.

To begin, choose a place where the drawing will take place. It is better to always draw in the same place so that later the child does not go beyond the designated boundaries. This could be a table or a corner on the floor. If you paint on the floor, remove the carpets and rugs, you can cover them with oilcloth. It is also better to cover a sofa and other upholstered furniture with oilcloth. The best canvas for drawing is what paper or large sheets of A3 format. Ordinary album leaves will probably not be enough for your child’s creativity to fly.

Before drawing, put on clothes for yourself and your baby that you don’t mind. The paints are easy to clean, but being on the safe side never hurt anyone. If it's warm at home, you can let the baby in just in panties or a diaper - it will be easier to wash. You can also buy a special waterproof apron in art stores that will protect you from paint.

When everything is ready, you can begin the drawing process itself.

1. Dip your finger in the paint and show your child that it is absolutely safe. Run your finger across the paper.
2. If the child is interested, dip his finger and also run it over the paper.
3. After that, let your child take the initiative - let him choose the right paint and make a few strokes.
4. Don’t forget to repeat the names of the flowers - this way your child will remember them better.
5. When the child becomes thoroughly familiar with colors, you can draw certain pictures. Show your child how to draw a sun. Let it be a simple yellow blot at the top of the Whatman paper - praise the child and his creativity.
6. Young children can successfully draw rain or snow. You need to draw a cloud and show how to put your finger and say “Drip-drip.” Drawing such blue rain will be very exciting.
7. You can try out all the colors by drawing a rainbow. Just move your hand along the same path, alternately dipping your fingers in different colors.
8. You can make a bouquet from palm prints. To do this, wet your palm in one paint and make an imprint of this palm on paper. Repeat the prints in other colors in the same way. Then add stems and leaves to the improvised palms, you will get a charming bouquet.
9. Make a hand and foot print of your child as a keepsake. Subsequently, this picture can be dried and stored for many years to come. You can also make an imprint as the child grows - you can see firsthand how quickly and intensively your baby is growing.
10. After painting, dry the painting and hang it in a visible place. The child will be proud of his creativity. This is also a wonderful gift for a grandma or grandpa from a little toddler. Show the painting to your dad in the evening so that he will definitely praise his young artist.

You can make your own finger paints by mixing water, oil and flour to form a thick mixture. You can use saturated vegetable and fruit juices as a coloring pigment. And in order to discourage a child from trying paint, a large amount of salt is added to it.

Finger paints are an opportunity for a child to express their emotions and feelings. Give your child creative freedom - let him draw!

Video: how to paint with finger paints