Did you know that toddlers like to tear papers?
When we give toddlers a paper to draw or scribble, we often say “be careful. Don’t rip the paper.” But many times, papers end up being torn. Well, toddlers’ fine motor skills are still in a developing stage, however, they sometimes just love the action of tearing and seeing the result. And funny thing is children don’t like to use the ripped paper any more after THEY rip it. 😖
So how about setting an activity where you are supposed to tear papers? Tearing papers actually can be therapeutic, for adults and for children as well. Can you think of a time that you were so angry and ripped papers aggressively?🙄 Tearing paper works well as a way of emotional ventilation, I think.
At this “social-distancing” – stressful and depressing – time, children must be feeling as stressed as us, adults. They cannot go to the playground to run around, meet friends and play together.
Let your toddler release the boredom and irritation through the tearing paper activity.
🎈💭
Collect all kinds of papers in your house. Not too thick because it should be torn easily by toddler’s little hands.
Start tearing papers
Tip: Talk about how it feels different and sounds different when they tear different kinds of papers.
If you have a big box or container, putting the torn papers in the box as they tear will be a good idea.
Do as much as they want 😁
If they seem to be losing interest in tearing paper activity, move on to my next activity.
Make art with torn papers
Bring a white paper, liquid glue and a paint brush.
Spread some glue on a white paper.
Put the torn papers on top of the glued part of paper.
Anywhere in any way.
Add glue where it’s needed.
Tip: You can talk about transparency (transparent/see through/opaque etc.) “Look, I can still see the letters under the tissue paper.”
Make colourful glue
To make the torn papers stay on the background paper, cover the whole background paper with glue again.
If you make colourful glue, this step becomes much more fun.
I used food colouring and glitters.
Cover the whole paper with the blue and pink glue.
You can sprinkle more glitters before the glue dries.
Let it dry for a while.
One day after, it looks like this.
Tada!
Isn’t it beautiful?
I looked at it closely for a long time 🤩
It’s a very easy activity that you can do with your toddlers.
De-stress and make an art with your kids 🙂
Missangela 🎀