Collaborative Farm Mural
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the Infant stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Creative Arts
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to Infant for Collaborative Farm Mural.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- Large roll of butcher paper or kraft paper
- Non-toxic, washable tempera paint in farm-themed colours like green, brown, and yellow
- Plastic farm animal figurines
- Shallow plastic trays or paint palettes
- Painter tape to secure the paper to the floor
- Clean damp cloths for immediate cleanup
Learning Objectives
- Explore tactile sensations through finger painting and texture manipulation.
- Demonstrate visual tracking by following the movement of paint across the paper.
- Develop fine motor skills by grasping and moving animal figurines.
- Respond to sensory input through sight, touch, and movement.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a safe, carpeted area and tape a large sheet of butcher paper securely to the floor.
2. Place small dollops of paint onto shallow trays, ensuring they are well out of reach until the infants are positioned.
3. Place infants on their tummies or backs on the paper, ensuring they are comfortable and supervised at all times.
4. Dip the feet or hands of the farm animal figurines into the paint and demonstrate how they leave tracks on the paper.
5. Encourage infants to reach for the figurines, allowing them to grasp the toys and move them across the paper surface.
6. Gently guide the infants hands into the paint to encourage finger painting and exploring the texture of the medium.
7. Narrate the process by using simple language such as "The cow walks in the mud" or "Yellow paint feels soft."
8. Allow infants to move freely over the paper to create a collaborative, abstract mural of farm tracks and colours.
9. Remove the infants from the paper once their interest wanes or they become restless.
10. Hang the dried mural at the eye level of the infants to celebrate their collaborative work.
Educator Tip
Always prioritize safety by using only non-toxic, edible-grade paint if infants are prone to mouthing objects. If an infant is hesitant to touch the paint, place the paint inside a sealed plastic bag taped to the floor so they can experience the squishy texture without getting messy.
Assessment
- Observe if the infant reaches toward the paint or the animal figurines.
- Record the level of engagement when the infant interacts with the texture of the paint.
- Note any vocalizations or physical movements made in response to the teacher's narration of the farm theme.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.