Is 2 years old too late

Watercolours is a great activity at this age, much less mess than other paints. You introduce one colour at a time, with paper, water in a pot, a brush and cloth for spills.

I just saw an activity on Pinterest that was just “painting” with water on construction paper. I’m new to Montessori but may be a way to allow your little one to start working on creative and fine motor skills without the risk of a messy home. Or chalk paint on a side walk.

It’s not too late. I am an infant and toddler ams montessori guide and most of the children that come into my environment tend to be 2 years old!

A lot of people confused the pedagogy and the idea of a child led environment as giving them a lot of freedom, but it’s freedom w limits. There are rules, if they are misusing a material in a way that hurt themselves, others or the environment the material can be taken away (such as the scribbling in the carpet)

For painting- set up a plastic tray with a small container with a tiny bit of paint, a brush, a small cup of water and a paper towel. Also offer a plastic place mat and a sheet of paper.

The placemat will be a visual representation of where your little one can paint. Explain this. Then model how to paint- you do it first and have them watch and then give them a turn.

If they start to come out of the mat remind them to stay in the paper or within the Mat limits. If they purposefully begin to come out, just calmly say…