Create your Best Dot

DISCOVER

In this activity, we will create artwork using different materials to create different kinds of Dots inspired by the book “The Dot” by Peter H Reynolds.

PLAY

Materials you need:

1. Art Paper
2. Paint
3. Pen/Pencil
4. Some materials to create dots such as cotton buds, paint brush, crayon, chopsticks or plastic bottles

Set it up:

1. Lay out all the materials on the table, grouping the same type of materials together.
2. Prepare a sign that says, "Create your Best Dot!"
3. Read and discuss the story "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds.

Steps to guide Little Discoverers:

1. Read & discuss the story “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds.
2. Invite children to create a dot using the available materials and sign it. Next, create another artwork with many dots, there is no sequence to this, just dot around randomly in any colours, using any materials they desire.
3. Get involved and create your Dots Art for comparison. Connect the dots in your Dots Art to form a shape.
4. Compare both artworks, and take turns to discuss what your shapes look like. (Flower, a Face, Rainbow circles)

LEARN

Using a mixture of media and materials children begin to explore colours, and how colours can be changed while learning creative ways of using tools and materials. This builds on their understanding of how materials and tools can be manipulated and combined for more creative outcomes.

Key vocabularies to use:
Dots, smaller, bigger, colourful, Red, Blue, Purple (and other names of colours)

Ways to adapt the activity:
For beginners, introduce a fewer number of materials and also make fewer dots. (four dots can form a square)
For advanced learners, explore more complex designs utilising more dots and more shapes.

Continue the exploration by finding new ways to manipulate the materials available. Example: Dot paint randomly on a paper, fold the paper into half, smear it and reopen it to see how the dots changed.