
Making prints Activity
Printmaking allows kids to see cause & effect in action!
Why do it?
When making prints in the sand or on paper, tamariki have an opportunity to:
- be creative
- observe patterns and prints in the natural world
- try making patterns using different colours and shapes
- strengthen the practice of going from left to right, which helps with both reading and writing.
How to do it
At the beach:
- Look for different footprints made by people, birds or animals.
- Take time to look carefully at the footprints. Ask your tamaiti: ‘What is the same or different about them?’ (smaller, bigger, longer), ‘I wonder why this one is deeper?’
- Make prints in the sand — footprints, handprints and wheel prints. Try making prints using different stones and shells.
- Try to copy some prints you’ve seen.
At home:
- Look for everyday objects that can make a print. They work best if they have at least one flat side. Try different blocks and lids, a potato masher, your thumbs and fingers.
- Make a ‘stamp pad’ using a folded cloth or a sponge and some liquid paint squirted into it.
- Provide paper for your tamaiti to make prints on.
- Make repeating print patterns. Encourage them to start on the left and move to the right.
Using more reo Māori
Footprint |
Tapuwae |
Bird footprint |
Te tapuwae o ngā manu |
To stamp |
Tā(ia) |
To stamp your foot |
Takahia |
Deep |
Hōhonu |
Shallow |
Pāpaku |
Left |
Mauī |
Right |
Matau |
Press lightly |
Kia māriri tō tānga |
Press hard |
Kia mārō tō tānga |
Start on the left |
Me tīmata koe i te taha mauī |
Go to the right |
Me haere koe ki te taha mata |