Today's activity is part of an ongoing series, Exploring Reggio. Our co-creators for the series are, The Imagination Tree, An Everyday Story, One Perfect Day and Twodaloo
One of the main principals of the Reggio Emilia Approach is "The Hundred Languages of Children." This is where it is recognised that children are great communicators and are capable of communicating and expressing knowledge, thoughts and understanding in a huge variety of different ways and through many varied mediums and materials. We, as parents and teachers, can offer our children various experiences to show we value their need for play and exploration and to allow them to develop their creativity, learn new things and utilise all their senses and languages.
Another important part of a Reggio inspired education is looking at the role of the environment in order to enhance and stimulate learning.
We don't have any giant paper at home but I do always have a large roll of paper on hand (I buy mine from Ikea). The handy thing about a roll of paper is that you can create giant canvases like this one. I stuck it onto the brick with sticky tape so it was pretty easy. Sticky tape might be less effective on a fence so I'd try some sticky-tac.
I was going to lay it out on the grass instead but as the lawn wasn't freshly mowed, the paper would have been ruined too quickly so I went for the wall mounted option instead.
The kids were very keen to squirt the paint on the plastic lids and both chose rollers straight away. We don't use rollers all that often as they aren't always so useful working on a small scale. This was a reasonably new experience for them.
There was so much space that I'm not sure they knew where to start or what they were doing. The beginning was definitely about playing around with and exploring the materials more than creating a piece of art.
I had a bucket of water nearby for washing purposes. They were almost as interested in the bucket of water as they were in the whole painting experience.

I enjoyed seeing them exploring all the different materials I had provided (even stamping the plastic lids with paint as it got low). It gave us an opportunity to talk about the different patterns, textures, colours etc. Maddie discovered that having a roller without paint the whole way round made a stripy pattern which of course was perfect for painting a tiger!


Reflections:
We must paint outside more often! I found that the kids painted with more abandonment than when inside and it was a really calming experience. No stressing about keeping them restricted to certain areas. It was great for ALL of us!
I have more plans for painting on a similar scale to this outside. It made such a difference to the experience. I'd definitely like us to have a go with the paper on the ground. The kids really loved trying to paint with their feet and hand-printing so perhaps some whole body painting is in order? With the paper on the ground the kids would be able to run all over it and roll around. They really enjoy sensory experiences, especially my toddler, so I envision a lot of fun!
It would also be interesting to set up a similar experience but not provide them with any painting materials and have them make and find their own outside. They were so keen to use and explore each of the different painting tools that I put out, that it may be interesting to try and recreate some of those patterns and textures using items we find outside.
The children communicated many different things during their experience. Both children showed their delight at being outside and painting on a large scale. They both loved exploring and utilising all new materials. They wanted to explore the feeling of the paint with their senses and experiment making various different marks. Maddie communicated her knowledge for varieties of animals and we were able to use that to talk about other similar animals and then other animal markings. Noah showed his interest in water and swirling and mixing things to make new concoctions. Both children love to move and are more engaged with activities that are open-ended.
I have more plans for painting on a similar scale to this outside. It made such a difference to the experience. I'd definitely like us to have a go with the paper on the ground. The kids really loved trying to paint with their feet and hand-printing so perhaps some whole body painting is in order? With the paper on the ground the kids would be able to run all over it and roll around. They really enjoy sensory experiences, especially my toddler, so I envision a lot of fun!
It would also be interesting to set up a similar experience but not provide them with any painting materials and have them make and find their own outside. They were so keen to use and explore each of the different painting tools that I put out, that it may be interesting to try and recreate some of those patterns and textures using items we find outside.
The children communicated many different things during their experience. Both children showed their delight at being outside and painting on a large scale. They both loved exploring and utilising all new materials. They wanted to explore the feeling of the paint with their senses and experiment making various different marks. Maddie communicated her knowledge for varieties of animals and we were able to use that to talk about other similar animals and then other animal markings. Noah showed his interest in water and swirling and mixing things to make new concoctions. Both children love to move and are more engaged with activities that are open-ended.
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Creating Colours (An Everyday Story)
Big Art. Painting a Rainbow (Twodaloo)
If you missed our previous Exploring Reggio posts about Exploring and Printing with Paint on a Mirror, or Enticing Literacy. Making and Writing Words, go and check them out. We had such fun experiences!
Have you ever painted BIG?
Happy playing,
Debs :)
Look where else we are. Do you play with us here? :)
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This is just awesome! I can imagine losing time painting with such freedom outdoors. I have to do this with my littlies, particularly in our Australian weather - a run in the sprinkler would be a great way to finish this activity :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I can't wait to do more of this in Summer time when it's even warmer and be able to have the paddling pools out :) Thanks.
DeleteThis is just awesome! I can imagine losing time painting with such freedom outdoors. I have to do this with my littlies, particularly in our Australian weather - a run in the sprinkler would be a great way to finish this activity :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so fun! My favorite is how they decided to use their feet- our kids would get on so great together ;) Too bad it's a bit of a journey just for a playdate!
ReplyDeletehaha, yeh, it's a little far. Do let us know next time you're popping by Australia though! :)
DeleteLooks so fun. I don't think I've ever used a roller with my kids to paint. I just never thought of it. I'll have to let them try it out!
ReplyDeleteEven I wanted a go of the rollers, Jackie. lol. Thanks :)
DeleteA HUGE piece of paper is just about my favourite art supply! Love the foot prints!
ReplyDeleteSame here, so many possibilities!! :D
DeleteLove this! The BIGGER the BETTER lol! Have Pinned it.
ReplyDeletehaha, totally! Thanks :)
Deletethis is brilliant! Pinned it & definitely trying it soon
ReplyDeletelove your little informative write up about reggio- I am starting to love the premises of reggio child development. thanks for sharing
xx
Thanks Rez. Hope the kids enjoy it.. I can imagine you adding some paint filled water pistols too! ;)
DeleteWhat a beautiful time of year to enjoy some al fresco painting! I love that brushes, rollers and feet were used :) The tiger inspired by the patterns from the roller brush is adorable too. Elise @ Creative Play Central
ReplyDeleteThanks Elise. I loved the spontaneity that being outside and having such a large scale to work with, allowed. :)
DeleteI love the karate kicks to the paper. That's just super adorable! Love this and now I wanna do with my little monkeys.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny. I can imagine you guys making all kinds of animal tracks all over it! :)
DeleteThis looks like SO much fun! I'm loving your little guy using his feet to paint!!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty cute to watch, haha. He couldn't quite manage not to step his painted foot on the tanbark first, so there was always plenty stuck to his foot. lol. Thanks for commenting, Clarissa :)
DeleteLove :) I do this often with children I work with but on the floor
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome and a great way to get kids outdoors. I love giving children an opportunity to do things on a much larger scale so I'll be keeping this in mind. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant. I often let my daughter draw all over our back fence, but I never thought to put up a huge roll of paper.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are awesome. your kids are clearly enjoying themselves.
How awesome is it when it's so big that they aren't on top of each other?! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome Deb – has been added to out must-do list! We often paint outside, my youngest is obsessed with getting her hands and feet completely covered in paint far more that the painting itself and I don't need to stress about the mess :-) Love their foot painting techniques.
ReplyDeleteLove their finished artwork - especially all the textures! Is there a trick to getting the sticky tape to stick? Ours always seems to fall off within 10 minutes. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour kids are so adorns! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the activity that you held for them!
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