Backyard OT with Mommy (part 3)

We were at it again! This time with paint - - multiple colors - - and the kids used fingers, brushes, sponges... whatever they chose! First and foremost, this was fun. Lots of fun! Folded into all of that fun and tactile work were all kinds of learning opportunities. Disguised lessons - - my favorite way to work with and teach my kids.

We talked (and signed, of course) about the colors, the shapes of the sponges, the way the paint felt, the way the brushes felt, mixing colors and what each combination made (all the way until the combination was a murky brown!).

When they were finished, we inspected their colorful hands. Gracie was fascinated by hers - - staring at them for several minutes. They are pictured below... a work of art all their own.


When it was time to clean the sponges and brushes, we used a bowl of warm water. Thus, we talked about the water - - the color after we rinsed their tools, etc. Then we dumped the bowl and added more warm water to wash off their hands. We added ice and talked about it being cold.


We poured it out (actually, Gracie dumped it!) and we talked about where the water went (see Gracie looking through the bowl) and then how the bowl became a hat for her.


Then we laid the masterpieces out to dry on the lawn... here are a couple of them.
Never once did they realize how much "mommy school" was happening the whole time we painted and played!