By Katerina Tiapula

A paint brush and A4 size paper can be too difficult to manage most of the time. What generally happens with the paintbrush is it is soaked in the paint and brought out with such force that paint is splattered in stunning Pollack fashion quite unfortunately across the room and ceiling. The brush is then set with the delicacy of a gladiator into and frequently through the centre of the paper. These are scary thought for a parent.

Forget the varying sizes of brushes, the canvas or A4 size paper and the palette. What you need is a good pile of newspaper, cheap poster paint in only 1 or 2 colours, a sponge, a large sheet of paper and about 20 – 30 minutes.

• First realize that this won’t be an all afternoon project. 30 minutes may be a good amount of time before they get bored of the paper and move on to the walls. You’ll want to stop before that point.

• The workspace will require a LOT OF NEWSPAPER! Don’t be stingy here and lay only a sheet or two. A few layers are good so that the spills will be easier to manage. There will be a few spills. The floor is best so that they can walk around the paper and even on the paper. Plan to shower immediately afterwards. You can even paper the path to the shower so that they can walk.

• The poster paint that you choose should be cheap. Not because your little Picasso doesn’t deserve quality but because this is a learning experience and they need to learn by experimentation. Let’s face it, do you want to spend $45 on fancy finger paints then watch them smear it into a gorgeous green brown? Find something inexpensive ($10 or under), use only two colours at once and mix it with a small container of water so that they can use the sponge efficiently.
  

• The sponge – you can use natural sponge which will put a nice texture on the paper or regular sponge. It should be about the size of their hand so that they can grasp and squeeze easily. *It may be best if you squeeze out the sponge after it is put into the paint.

• Don’t get a nice small canvas. Try large sheets of paper. You can get a roll of paper from Ikea or art supply shops that work well. Start with at least 2 sheets and once the paper starts to fill up the whisk it away and replace it with the second one waiting in the wings. This will help to keep their attention. You can also just use the newspaper but it will be hard to define which ones are for painting and which ones are for catching the spills.

• Don’t read too much into the painting. Let them do that.

Now you are ready to experience paint with your little tike. Enjoy their discovery with them and if you want to save a painting, you can always just cut out a piece from a painting and frame it.