Places to Paint Standing at an easel while painting encourages a child to use whole-arm strokes and total body movement. Because of the slant or angle of an easel, paint tends to run or drip down. Children can watch as colors mix as they drip. Table top easels are very successful when used by young children in wheelchairs. When children paint on a flat surface, seated at a table, paint can be layered and built up.
Paint is more controllable, but arm and body movements are more restricted.
Standing at a table encourages the child to use whole body movement while painting on a flat surface and controlling the layering, mixing or building up of color and shape of the marks. Painting on large paper that has been placed on the floor also provides a flat surface. When children stand as they paint using large brushes with extended handles whole-arm strokes are used. A child in a wheel chair can also be successful with this activity. Paper Providing paper of different shapes and sizes challenges children to problem solve as they work around angles and decide where to place the paint marks.