Show notes
Children usually prefer play that stimulates their curiosity and gives free rein to the imaginations and creativity. Incorporating loose parts into the environment will enhance their natural curiosity. –Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky
Tinkergarten Color Activities
Frozen colored water on white sheet
Chalks/water/paintbrushes on dark sheet and other options
Skittles and water
Natural egg dyeing
Milk, food coloring, dish soap
Shaving cream and food coloring
Colored ice, salt, pipettes https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/ice-as-a-loose-part
Clear cup and food coloring—wanted to put it on the overhead projector
Light and color
Blacklights
Light table—transparent colored fabrics, papers, etc. https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/light-painting
Tissue paper that bleeds colors https://amzn.to/2NWZxS7
Watercolors on snow or ice
Transparent colored dividers
Self serve jars of colored water (Umbrella House—Tammy Lockwood)
Paint in a plastic baggie
Colored water spraying on white sheet
Collage
Color wheel: create out of found items/collage
Color sets/sorting—Grapat
Natural color wheel with colors we find in nature
Lights/flashlights with colors
Paint Swatches
Pipettes coffee filters https://amzn.to/3sIlyCX https://amzn.to/3rbzVzu
Glue/salt
Marbling
Liquid water colors https://amzn.to/3bacUaE
Principles:
- Allow experimentation. Get rid of the "recipe".
- Pause for observation, wonder, and awe.
- Follow the child's lead. I wonder if . . .
- Ask children how they might extend and explore this more. What might they use next time? What other ways might they mix and explore colors?
- Leave materials out, if possible, to allow for additional experimentation.
- Document the experience with photos, journaling, and capturing the inquisitiveness.
- Be open to color exploration in other aspects.
- Let the learning emerge rather than telling how it should happen.
Japanese Suminagashi: https://amzn.to/2MLxhS8
Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. –Claude Monet
I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way. –Georgia O'Keefe
Book Picks:
Mix It Up! https://amzn.to/2NWpzVB
Mixed: A colorful story https://amzn.to/3sJBTHK
Loose Parts Play Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/LoosePartsPlay/
Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/ Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutsideMichiana/ Loose Parts Nature Play Website: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com 
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