Thumbs and Plums

As a Experience Early Learning (EEL) Blogger, I receive the EEL Preschool Curriculum in exchange for my honest opinions and authentic stories about our experiences using the curriculum. All opinions and thoughts are completely my own.

Little Jack Horner

sat in a corner

eating a piece of pie.

He stuck in his thumb

and pulled out a plum

and said, “What a good boy am I!”

What is it about kids wanting to stick their thumbs and hands in all sorts of messy things? I have to admit, playing with my kids is the best part of my day, even through all the messes. I too love to squish my fingers in fresh playdough, or feel the rainbow rice escape from my cupped hands, or getting my fingers all in the paint.

As we studied the Mother Goose Poem “Jack Sprat” this past week with our monthly box from Experience Early Learning (EEL), my kiddos put their thumbs into plum paint instead of real plums and had a blast creating their own art original works of art!

EEL sent us cups, pale purple cardstock, and a beautiful photo of plums in a basket. All I needed to supply was paint (tempera all the way everyday) and eager thumbs.

I loved how my 5 year old decided to use both ends of her cup to stamp concentric circles on her paper. Adding her thumb print in spots reminded me of the plum seed. She has been doing these Invitations to Create since she was 2 and I really think it has helped her feel comfortable with exploring different mediums. It’s one of the things that I absolutely adore about Experience Early Learning.

My 2 year old son was excited to make his hand print and loved putting his whole hand in the paint over and over again. In hindsight, I probably should not have given them that much paint. There’s always something to learn.

I know painting with kids can give people the heeby jeebies. I get it. I barely kept these 2 from putting paint on the walls when they had to wash their hands. With that said, can we just give a round of applause to all those preschool teachers who do this with 6+ kids!? Can you imagine?!

I love doing art with my kids and watching them create. It is worth the risk and fear. But KUDOS to all those mommas and teachers braving paint with more than 2 kids! And thanks to EEL for helping all of us embrace the paint!