Handprint Witch

from 14 months · 10-15 min · Fine motor

What you need

Brush green paint over your toddler's palm and fingers.
Help them press the hand down with the fingers pointing towards them, so the palm print sits at the top.
Lift the hand off: the palm is the witch's face and the fingers are her cloak.
Once it is dry, tear a triangle hat from the black paper and tape it on top of the face.
Draw two eyes and a big smile, and scribble orange hair poking out under the hat.

The handprint turns into a character they can point at and name, and seeing their own hand become a witch is a funny surprise every time.

Body awareness: Their hand print becoming a face helps them notice the shape of their own hand.
Pressing and lifting: Pressing flat and lifting straight up is the movement behind stamping and printing.
Naming and pointing: Pointing to the hat, the eyes and the hair gives them simple words to try.

Watch whether they point to the parts as you add them. Name each one as it goes on and let them point back.

Use washable, non-toxic paint and keep a wet cloth beside you. Write their name and the date on the back to keep it.

Easier: let them press their hand down any way and add the hat wherever the palm ends up

Harder: let them scribble the orange hair themselves and stick on the hat with your help