SparKits
Clothespin Cotton Ball Painting
Let's Begin
Gather Materials
Paper
Clothespins
Cotton Balls
Paint
Newspaper, or an old towel to cover the work surface, large T-shirt for your child to wear to protect their clothing (optional)
Step 1
Start by covering the work surface, and your child’s clothing.
Step 2
Next, provide your child with a piece of paper
Step 3
Now, show your child how to clip a cotton ball with the clothespin so that the cotton ball sticks out of the end of the clothespin to dip it into the paint. Make one for each color of paint.
Step 4
Finally, let your child dip the cotton ball in the paint and dab the paint onto the paper. They can also “draw” using the cotton ball clips. Let your child explore, there is no right or wrong, and more than one way to use the materials.
CDC Milestones
Curious about your child’s development? All children develop at their own pace, but the Center for Disease Control’s developmental milestones can be a helpful guideline. Here are a few examples:
1-year-old
- Shows fear in some situations
- Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
- Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
18-months-old
- Explores alone but with parent close by
- Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures
- Drinks from a cup
2-years-old
- Shows more and more independence
- Knows names of familiar people and body parts
- Might use one hand more than the other
Additional family resources
Early Learning with ECA
Learning begins at birth. ECA provides foundations for learning, starting with age-appropriate experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool. ECA also offers a range of family support programs that encourage family involvement with children’s learning.
Free tips and learning games
This free texting service provides quality, developmental information for parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight right to your phone. Messages include research-based, age-appropriate content from national experts, along with local updates of events and resources.
Free resources at your library
Your local library has many resources for you as a parent as well as for your child. We encourage you to take advantage of all they have to offer. For an online list of libraries by city, go to publiclibraries.com/state
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Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-502-0700 for free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance. Trained 2-1-1 Specialists can connect you to local organizations that can assist you with food, housing, health care, transportation, education and more.
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Use of the materials described above are done so at your own risk and any children interacting with these materials should do so only under close adult supervision.
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