A Little Powder Tempera Goes a Long Way.

The black plastic that has recently been erected along the fence outside beckons to be covered with something more beautiful. Thus, Bee and I tied up a canvas for various painting activities. Last week the children used pink watercolor. However, this week we used one of my new favorite mediums: powder tempera.
Powder tempera is fun because its creation is a process that the preschoolers can all get involved in.

We started with a a small cup of powder, a cup of water, a watering can, paint brushes, droppers and a muffin tin. TB volunteered to fill the water cup while G wanted to employ the watering can. I filled each space in the muffin tin with different amounts of blue powder and let the mixing commence!

Most children used the droppers to add water. This activity unfolded in a small area and the preschoolers had to negotiate how to allow each other enough room. "I can't move!" TB exclaimed. "I wonder how we can make sure everyone has enough room. There are enough spaces for everyone." I observed. EB scooted over creating a circle. The other children spread out and soon all present preschoolers were involved.

KO, S, and K all chose to move on to other activities once the mixing was done. EB, IR and IO became interested in painting houses. IR began with 4 strokes that created a square. EB and IO helped her fill it in. "It's an upside down house" IR informed me. EB responded, "Let's make another and not fill it in." They each contributed to this house and painted windows, a roof, a chimney and a large, blue sun.

"This house is where IR lives, and her cat lives in the upside down house." EB explained. The wind was especially blustery on this day and kept blowing the canvas up. "It's windy!" observed IO. I then wondered "what wind would look like if we painted it?" All three girls then proceeded to make quick, long brushstrokes, both vertical and horizontal on the canvas. When they were satisfied they moved to the sandbox and left this beautiful landscape behind.

Now, I would like to introduce more colors and repeat this activity. I wonder what materials we could use for mixing colors as well as for painting. The wonderful fall weather has provided many leaves to choose from on the ground. Leaf prints, pine cone paint brushes? I wonder what the preschoolers will choose next.