Early learning goals for toddlers include creative development. “Creative arts experiences open an avenue for the development and expression of individual ideas, feelings, and interests. Although these are more readily observed in older preschoolers, they have their beginnings in the infant and toddler years,” according to First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos MaryAnn F. Kohl et al. [Gryphon house, 2002]. Art, therefore, nurtures creativity.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to promote creative development by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination.
The Snow Art activity is an excellent example of an opportunity to foster expression, to encourage spontaneity in material usage, and to introduce children to textured materials.
The Snow Art lesson plan includes the materials list, preparation instructions, and procedures for this activity. It also includes age appropriate learning objectives and samples of the simple, supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.
Snow Art Materials List
- Soap Flakes (Ivory powder works best)
- Water
- Electric Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Silver Glitter
- Light Colored Construction paper (light blue or grey)
- Crayons
- Sponge
Activity Preparation
- Cover a table with butcher paper
- Gather materials
- Place all materials on the table
Procedures for Snow Art Lesson
- Invite the children over and tell them that they are going create a winter scene with snow.
- In the mixing bowl add soap flakes and water. Using an electric mixer, whip the ingredients until it is stiff.
- Add (or let children add) glitter to the “snow”.
- Help the children draw a winter scene with crayons, pressing hard to create a waxy build up and leaving some areas uncolored.
- Using a sponge, apply the snow to the picture. The snow will not stick to the crayoned areas.
Snow Art Learning Objectives
Objective 1
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities by encouraging the children create snow scenes using crayons in various colors.
- Verbal Cue A: "Today we are going to create a snow scene!"
- Verbal Cue B: "I have lots of colors for you to use on the construction paper to draw a snow scene."
Objective 2
To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose colors.
- Verbal Cue A: "Which colors would you like to use to draw your scene?"
- Verbal Cue B: "I like the way you are using your colors!"
Objective 3
To introduce textured materials by adding glitter to the snow to be used by the children.
- Verbal Cue A: "Let’s add glitter to the snow!"
- Verbal Cue B: "Let’s see what the snow feels like after we add glitter to the snow."
Snow Art is a fun, creative activity that children ages 2 and older will certainly enjoy. Use a wide variety of colors and encourage sensory discoveries. For more preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
This Snow Art activity is adapted from Look at Me: Creative Learning Activities for Babies and Toddlers by Carolyn Buhai Haas [Chicago Review Press, 1987].
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