• When contemplating ideas for kindergarten painting activities, teachers should be mindful of the artistic interests and abilities of their young students. According to Viktor Lowenfeld, a distinguished 20th-century art educator, the paintings of kindergarten-age children typically fall under the classification of "pre-schematic." Implementing characteristics of the pre-schematic stage (egocentrism and preference for symbolism) into kindergarten painting activities guides the formation of effective, engaging and age-appropriate art lessons.
  
  

Egocentric Topics

• Activities that include the child as a central character offer opportunities for artistic success. For example, "My Favorite Pet" or "I Am Happy" provide egocentric topics that appeal to young children. After a brief discussion about the chosen topic, provide large sheets of paper and a limited range of paints. Ask children to illustrate the idea. Display the completed paintings and encourage children to talk about the content of their work.
  
  

Shaving Cream Finger Paints

• Address fine motor skill development by spraying a handful of shaving cream on desktops and then adding a sprinkle of dry tempera paint. Encourage children to use the concoction the same way as they would use finger paints. Draw directly on the desktop and erase as many times as desired. If children wish to keep a picture, gently pat a piece of construction paper on the design, lift it off and then allow the shaving cream to dry.
  
  

Color Mixing

• Provide easels and large sheets of paper. Offer only primary colors (red, yellow and blue) of water-based paint. Mention that secondary colors (orange, purple and green) can be made by mixing the primary colors together. Encourage children to use one primary color to paint an object, such as a favorite imaginary animal. Before the paint dries, add a dab of another primary color directly onto the first. Gently mix the colors to discover a secondary color.
  
  

Sponge Brushes

• Try sponge brushes instead of traditional paint brushes. The chiseled points create wide, abstract swaths across paper. Sponge brushes work particularly well for easel painting.
  
  

Baby Oil Self-Portrait

• Have children lightly draw with a pencil a self-portrait on large sheets of construction paper. Dip the tip of a paintbrush into baby oil and trace over the drawings. If desired, and children can handle smaller brushes or cotton swabs, add details. When the oil dries, the artwork becomes transparent and can be hung in a window so that light passes through. Be sure that children do not cover the entire page with the oil as the artwork will disappear.
  
  

Leaves or Cut-Outs

• Collect an assortment of leaves on cut-out paper or poster board objects. Place one or two objects on a piece of paper. Tap around the objects by using a sponge brush lightly dipped in paint. Remove the objects from the paper and allow the paint to dry. Use wide-tip markers to add details.
  
  

Warning

• Check all materials for safety. A seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute includes the letters "AP" (Approved Product) to designate that art products meet stringent safety guidelines.