Butterfly Wings Tissue Art
Toddlers develop fine motor skills and colour awareness.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Nature
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Label butterfly colours
- imitate folding
- explore textures.
Instructions
Materials
- Coffee filters or thin white paper circles
- Washable liquid watercolors in primary colours
- Small spray bottles filled with water
- Droppers or pipettes
- Clothespins
- Pipe cleaners
Learning Objectives
- Observe the transformation of colours when they overlap on a wet surface.
- Develop fine motor control by squeezing spray bottles or using droppers.
- Explore the concept of butterflies as part of the summer environment.
- Engage in sensory play through tactile interaction with wet paper.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Set up a workspace covered with plastic or newspaper to manage moisture.
2. Provide each toddler with one flattened coffee filter.
3. Demonstrate how to use the spray bottle by pressing the trigger to dampen the paper.
4. Allow children to practise spraying the paper until it is damp but not soaking.
5. Provide small cups of liquid watercolor and show children how to drop colours onto the wet paper.
6. Encourage children to watch as the colours spread and touch each other to create new shades.
7. Set the wet filters aside on a drying rack to allow the colours to set.
8. Once dry, gather the centre of the filter and secure it with a clothespin to create the butterfly body.
9. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the clothespin to form the antennae.
10. Display the finished wings in the classroom to represent summer nature.
Educator Tip
Toddlers may struggle with the mechanics of spray bottles. If they find the trigger too difficult, focus on using droppers to build hand strength. If the paper tears, simply provide a second filter and continue the exploration of colour blending.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can make a connection between the act of dropping colour and the resulting change on the paper.
- Record the child's ability to use the tools provided to manipulate the materials.
- Note if the child engages with the butterfly theme through verbal cues or gestures during the activity.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Participation, imitation, colour naming.