Painting more than "child's play"

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 677, 11 March 1997, Page 5

Painting more than "child's play"

Parents were playing with paint at a special work shop last week, where parents and supervisors interested in early childhood education were given a chance to explore the many different ways of using paints. The co-ordinator, Christine O'Riley, is employed

through Ruapehu REAP as an Early Childhood Community Worker. She covers the area from Waiouru to Ohingaiti. "It. was a chance for parents to widen their ideas and experience so that they could incorporate them into their own children' s play sessions," commented Ms O'Riley. The aim was to provide new ways to keep pre-schoolers entertained at home as well as broadening their playgroup experience. Judging by the good turnout at the workshop, Waiouru mothers and pre-school educators were keen to learn more about using this medium of art. As Eskimo Pie Playgroup provided a creche, most of the adults were able to concentrate on their activities and express their creative urges

in a variety of ways unhindered by little helping hands. A combined group mural was the first task with the instruction to use the paints and brushes like a pre-schooler. To help get into character, the paper was taped to the wall only a few feet above floor level. Individual activities followed with fingers, marbles, string, curlers, combs, and seed pods being used. Nothing was too big, too small, or indeed "too anything" to be used to paint with as long as it helped transfer the paint to the surface. This workshop was the first of at least four planned throughout the year. It is hoped that the next one will concentrate on music with collage and dough play later in the year.