Jaspreet wondered how the infants would react painting on a different texture other than paper. She introduced bubble wrap and set up a table for the paint activity.
Beau immediately got excited when he saw it. Melody taped the bubble wrap to the table and Beau, Matthias, and David eagerly joined in. They each grabbed a paintbrush and began painting on the bubble wrap. Matthias was especially interested in painting the tape Melody used to stick the bubble wrap down, while Beau loved using his hands to paint. He even painted Jaspreet’s hand when she held it out, curious to see what he would do. Beau and Matthias popped the bubbles with their fingers, laughing each time one burst. David painted on the bubble wrap then decided to cover his face in paint. He kept feeling the texture of the paint with his hands, squishing it and spreading it across the surface.
I wonder how the infants would respond to other different textures like felt, fabric, or foam? In what other ways they could explore different textures to see how their emotions and actions would change with each new material? So, to extend the activity, Jaspreet and Melody set up a new art table. They taped brown paper down and added different types of tape and bubble wrap on top for the children to explore. Beau, David, and Millie came over and started painting. Beau first used a paintbrush on the brown paper and tape before moving onto the bubble wrap. Beau even held two paintbrushes with one hand and painted with both. He couldn't resist popping more bubbles and even dipped his feet in the paint, using his toes to paint on the paper and floor. He showed Shannon his painted feet and laughed.
David was very focused on squishing the paintbrush on the tape, while Millie explored the texture by sliding her hands across the taped bubble wrap. She also tried popping the bubbles using her fingers, listening to the sound they made, as she carefully observed Jaspreet popping them first. Matthias joined in, painting on the tape with a brush, and then used his hands to smear paint all over the paper. He even painted Jaspreet’s hand and felt the different textures of the tape and bubble wrap.
This experience helped the infants to explore different textures and develop their fine motor skills, sensory skills and also enhanced their creativity.
As an extension to this activity, I could bring more different textures like Mac tac sheets, fabric, or natural materials like leaves or sand, so the children can continue to explore new sensations.
