Early learning goals for toddlers include creative development. "The creative arts, including music, movement, dramatic play, puppetry, painting, sculpture, and drawing, are a crucial part of early childhood. Not only do the arts allow children to express themselves, but creative activity can enhance development of children's skills in literacy, science, math, social studies, and more” according to “Spotlight on Young Children and the Creative Arts” by Derry Koralek [NAEYC, 2005]. 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.
String block art is an excellent example of an opportunity to foster expression, to encourage spontaneity in material usage, and to introduce children to textured materials.
This string block 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.
String Block Art Materials List
- Several yards of string or rope
- Tempura paint in a variety of colors
- Small blocks of wood
- Butcher paper
- Coarse salt
Activity Preparation
- Gather Materials
- Cover a table with butcher paper
- Tie string or rope several times around each piece of wood
- Lay out shallow dishes of paint and add coarse salt to the paint
Procedures for String Block Art Activity
- Invite the children over and explain to them that they can create colorful designs with blocks.
- Let the children take turns dipping their blocks in the paint color of their choice and then pressing the block onto sheets of construction paper.
- Add coarse salt to the paint, then let children dip their blocks again.
- Instruct children to turn the block different ways to create interesting designs.
String Block Art Learning Objectives
Objective 1
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities by encouraging the children create unique designs using a stringed block dipped in paint.
- Verbal Cue A: "Today we are going to colorful designs!"
- Verbal Cue B: "I have lots of colors for you to use on the construction paper to create interesting patterns."
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 make your design?"
- Verbal Cue B: "I like the way you are using your colors!"
Objective 3
To introduce textured materials by adding coarse salt to the paint to be used by the children.
- Verbal Cue A: "Let’s add salt to the paint!"
- Verbal Cue B: "Look at how the design sparkles after we add salt to the snow."
String block 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 daycare and preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
This string block art activity is adapted from Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Occupy 3-6 Year Olds by Trish Kuffman [Meadowbrook, 1998].
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