Early Science Matters

• Paint (yellow, red and blue–white and black optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Paint storage containers
• Paint brushes

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

1. In a large group, explain to the children that we will be mixing paint today to create new colors out of yellow, red and blue.
2. Invite the children to share what they already know about colors and what might happen if we mix them together.
3. Ask the children predict what will happen if we mix two colors.

1. Separate the children into small groups and arrange the primary-color paints and mixing bowls so that the children can easily access and mix the paints.
2. Invite the children to select two colors to mix and then ask them to predict will happen if we mix the two colors.
3. Ask the children to pour and stir paints to test out their predictions.
4. Extend these two colors, asking predictive questions such as “What will happen if we add more yellow than blue?” “What will happen if we add white or black?”
5. Continue predicting and mixing colors based on the engagement of children.
6. Have children pour the mixed paint colors into separate containers for future painting activities.
7. After clean-up, assemble the children in a large group and ask them to share what they learned and report on the accuracy of their predictions. Ask questions about further colors that have not yet been mixed and ask the children to predict the outcomes.

• Combine: To add materials together, resulting in a new, changed material
• Predict: To guess what might happen
• Experiment: To test out a prediction to find out if a prediction is correct or not
• Conclude: To make statements of what was learned after an observation or experiment

Early Science Glossary

Adapt Lesson for Toddlers

Toddlers may:

• Not yet have predictive language
• Want to use their hands to mix paints as a sensory activity
• Not yet know extensive color names beyond primary colors

Child care providers may:

• Use finger paints to allow children to mix with their hands
• Label color names and concepts as children engage in this mixing activity
• Focus on mixing two colors at a time (red and yellow on one day, blue and yellow on another day)

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:

• Be interested in mixing paints beyond primary colors
• Notice how colors mix and change during creative arts activities
• Engage in an extended project that involves color mixing

Child care providers may:

• Use secondary colors to mix or use white or black paints in different proportions to create shades of one color
• Have palettes (or egg cartons) available for children to mix their own individual paint sets before creating a painting
• Use a large canvas for a group painting project that is completed over time to show how colors change during the painting process