Natural Art
Parent and child create art using natural materials like flowers and berries, pressing them onto paper to make colorful prints. The agent coaches the parent to observe how the child communicates about outdoor experiences and names natural objects — building vocabulary and expressive language through sensory art.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and child sitting together at a table or on the floor. Paper, colorful flowers, and berries within reach. Workspace should be protected (can use newspaper or tray). Materials can be fresh or slightly dried.
How it works
- 1~45s
Start by sitting with your child and talking about what you do when you play outside. Ask simple questions like 'What do we see outside?' or 'What's your favorite thing to do at the park?' Watch how your child responds. At this age, they might use one or two words to communicate a whole idea — like saying 'swing' to mean 'I want to go on the swing.' Listen for those meaningful single words. Tell me what your child says.
Watch for: Child uses one or two words to communicate a complete thought or idea about outdoor experiences.
- 2~40s
Now show your child the flowers and berries you've gathered. Hold up each one and name it — 'Look, a red flower!' or 'Here's a purple berry.' Then ask your child to name them too. You might say 'What's this?' or 'Can you tell me about this flower?' Watch how your child responds. Does they try to name the items? Does they use any words to describe them?
Watch for: Child names or attempts to name natural objects (flowers, berries) when presented with them.
- 3~50s
Now let's create! Show your child how to press a flower or berry onto the paper to make a colorful print. As you create together, talk about what you're doing. Ask your child questions like 'What color do you see?' or 'What should we press next?' Watch how your child communicates during the art-making. Does they use words to describe the process? Does they talk about what they just did?
Watch for: Child uses one or two words to comment on or describe the art activity as it happens.