Clothespin Painting

[15 Minutes]

Using a clothespin and string as a paintbrush not only creates interesting "modern art," it helps your child develop fine motor skills.

You'll need:

• tempera paint • spring-type clothespins • shallow dish • heavy string • sheets of paper • water

What to do:

1. Help your child to pour a small amount of paint into a shallow dish. You can thin it down with water.
2. Show her how to clip pieces of string about 6" long onto clothespins.
3. Invite her to dip the string into the paint and carefully let it drop and "dance" several times on a sheet of paper.
4. Encourage her to use different colors of paper and paint. Or she can use different paints on a single sheet of paper.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Where are the marks thick? Thin? Curved? Straight?
• Give your pictures a name.

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is developing small muscle skills, eye/hand coordination and creativity.