Children pretend to drive toy cars through "snow."
As children "drive" toy cars across paper, leaving tracks of paint...
Children pretend to drive toy cars through "snow."
As children "drive" toy cars across paper, leaving tracks of paint behind, providers guide discussions to support foundational science skills.
What you'll need
- dark-colored paper
- white paint
- toy cars
Step by step
Step 1
Give each child one sheet of dark-colored paper. Offer white paint in shallow containers and invite children to roll a car through the paint until the wheels are fully covered. Then, they can drive the cars over the paper to create white tracks.
Step 2
As the children move the cars, talk about driving in snow. Explain that after it snows, cars will often have to drive through the snow if the road hasn't been cleared. The roads may look completely white, and tire tracks may be visible.
Step 3
Does it snow in your region? If so, talk about some safety rules for driving during snowy weather. Most of these rules apply in heavy rain, as well. Cars may need to drive much slower than usual to avoid sliding on ice. Wind and snow may prevent drivers from seeing well, so people who are walking need to make sure drivers see them and can stop on the slick roads. All passengers in a vehicle should wear a seatbelt—this will help keep them safe in the event of an accident.
Step 4
When the children have finished creating tracks through the paint, allow the artwork to dry and display on a wall.
Learning outcomes
Science
Earth Science and Environment
Names objects seen in the sky and describes features of the earth and sky and differences between day and night; describes common weather conditions in current season.
Compares seasons and describes current weather conditions and how weather changes each day; understands and describes the effects of sunlight; specifies earth features.
Physical Development and Health
Gross Motor Development
Coordinates body movements in place with increasing skill (begins to kick ball with purpose, throws overhand with some accuracy, dribbles balls with increased coordination, throws and attempts to catch balls, begins using bat/racket to make contact with objects)
Coordinates body movements in place to accomplish a goal (kicks ball accurately in game, throws overhand, dribbles, and catches balls with increasing accuracy, swings bat/racket and makes contact with stationary objects, bounces and passes ball)
Physical Development and Health
Fine Motor Development
Refines wrist and finger movements for more control (pours without spilling from small container, successful with some fasteners on clothing, folds paper, manipulates playdough and clay)
Uses small, precise hand movements to complete tasks (fastens clothing, folds paper with accuracy and symmetry; begins attempting to tie shoes, uses a dominant hand)
Demonstrates growing hand-eye coordination (strings beads, completes multi-piece puzzles, uses lacing cards, tears paper, uses a keyboard); uses eating utensils with ease
Demonstrates more precise hand-eye coordination (uses connecting blocks, small pop beads, Lego bricks, forms playdough into more recognizable shapes, builds more intricate block structures, weaves)
Uses tools requiring small muscle dexterity (crayons, markers, scissors to cut straight lines, etc.)
Uses tools that require strength and dexterity of small muscles with moderate control (holds scissors correctly to cut shapes and curved lines; controls use of writing, drawing, art tools, and art/craft media; uses spray bottles, paper punch)
Physical Development and Health
Safety Awareness and Self-Care
Recognizes and avoids potentially harmful items and situations with guidance; begins to follow basic safety and health rules
Identifies and alerts others to potentially harmful items, behaviors, situations with guidance; identifies and follows basic safety and health rules