Hand Print for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: Hand Print
Subject Matter: Hand Print.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify different primary colours (e.g., red, yellow, blue).
• Identify their own hands.
• Recall the steps for making a handprint.

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm for creative activities.
• Cooperate in sharing painting materials.
• Appreciate the beauty of colours and their own creations.

Psychomotor Domain

• Mix two primary colours (e.g., red and yellow) to create a secondary colour (e.g., orange).
• Dip their hands carefully into poster colour.
• Make clear handprints on paper.

Social Domain

• Share painting materials with classmates.
• Take turns using the paint and paper.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4.
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources on creative arts.

Instructional Materials

• Scrapbook or plain sheets of paper
• Poster colours (red, yellow, blue, green, etc.)
• Small trays or plates for paint
• Paint brushes (optional, for mixing)
• Water for cleaning hands
• Old newspapers or plastic sheets to cover tables
• Aprons or old shirts for pupils
• Wet wipes or a towel

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it fosters creativity, develops fine motor skills through dipping and pressing, and reinforces colour recognition. Hand printing allows children to express themselves, create unique artworks, and develop a sense of accomplishment, connecting their own body parts to artistic creation.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify some basic colours and know their body parts, including their hands. They may have also engaged in simple drawing or colouring activities.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Hand Print

A handprint is an image made by pressing a hand coated with paint onto a surface, usually paper. It’s a fun way to create art using your own hands!

What We Need for Hand Prints

• Paper: A scrapbook or plain white paper.
• Colours: Bright poster colours like red, yellow, blue, green.
• Our Hands: We use our own hands to make the prints.

How to Make a Hand Print

1. Choose Colours: Pick the colours you want to use.
2. Mix Colours (Optional): You can mix two colours together to make a new colour!
   • Red + Yellow = Orange
   • Blue + Yellow = Green
   • Red + Blue = Purple
3. Dip Your Hand: Carefully dip your hand into the paint on a tray. Make sure your whole palm and fingers are covered.
4. Press Your Hand: Gently press your painted hand onto the paper.
5. Lift Your Hand: Carefully lift your hand to see your handprint!
6. Wash Hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after printing.

Key Words

• Hand – The part of your body at the end of your arm, with fingers and a thumb.
• Print – An image or mark made by pressing something onto a surface.
• Colour – The different shades we see, like red, blue, yellow.
• Poster colour – A type of paint used for art activities.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher will display different poster colours and demonstrate how to mix two colours (e.g., red and yellow) on a plate to show the resulting colour (orange). The teacher will also demonstrate the entire hand printing process clearly.

Hand Print Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

My little hand, so soft and neat,
Dip in paint, oh what a treat!
Red and yellow, blue and green,
Best handprints you’ve ever seen!
Press it down, then lift it high,
Pretty colours, reach the sky!

Actions: Show hands, pretend to dip hand in paint, point to different colours, press hand down on an imaginary surface, lift hand up, raise hands high.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the song while demonstrating the hand printing process and again as pupils are making their prints, encouraging them to follow the actions.

Video Demonstration

Watch this video to see how to make simple handprints and get some ideas for your own art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9K93046N-g

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to show their hands. “Good morning, children! Show me your beautiful hands! What can we do with our hands?” The teacher introduces the topic: “Today, we are going to make something very special and colourful with our hands called ‘Hand Prints’!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, show their hands, and respond to questions. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and become engaged.

Step 2: Identifying Colours

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Recognition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays different poster colours (e.g., red, yellow, blue, green) and asks pupils to identify them. “What colour is this? Can you tell me another colour you see?” The teacher also shows how to mix two primary colours (e.g., red and yellow) to create a secondary colour (orange) on a plate.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the colours displayed by the teacher and observe the colour mixing demonstration.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise and name different colours and observe colour mixing.

Step 3: Identifying Hands

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Body Awareness

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to show their left hand and then their right hand. “Raise your right hand! Now, raise your left hand! How many fingers do you have on one hand? How many hands do you have?” The teacher explains that their hands will be used to make art today.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils show their left and right hands and count their fingers. They understand that their hands are the main tools for the activity.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their knowledge of their hands and fingers.

Step 4: Demonstrating Hand Print Process

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the entire hand printing process step-by-step:

1. Wearing an apron.
2. Pouring a small amount of paint onto a tray.
3. Carefully dipping one hand into the paint, ensuring even coverage.
4. Gently pressing the painted hand onto a piece of paper in the scrapbook.
5. Lifting the hand carefully to reveal the print.
6. Showing how to clean hands afterwards.

The teacher sings the “Hand Print Song” while demonstrating.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully and sing along with the “Hand Print Song.”

Learning Point: Pupils learn the correct procedure for making a handprint safely and neatly.

Step 5: Guided Practice (Colour Mixing and Dipping)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to prepare their colours. “Now, let’s try mixing some colours!” The teacher supervises as pupils choose their colours and, if desired, mix two colours on their trays. The teacher ensures pupils dip their hands into the paint correctly, reminding them not to put too much paint.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils choose colours, try mixing them (if they wish), and practice dipping their hands carefully into the paint under the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in handling paint and preparing their hands for printing.

Step 6: Pupil Application (Making Hand Prints)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to make their handprints on their scrapbooks. “Now, it’s your turn to make your own beautiful handprints!” The teacher moves around, offering assistance, encouragement, and reminding them to press gently and lift carefully. The teacher also reminds them to clean their hands once done.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively make their handprints on their paper, experimenting with colours and enjoying the creative process. They clean their hands after printing.

Learning Point: Pupils apply the learned steps to create their own handprints.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and by observing their finished handprints.

1. “What did we use to make these beautiful prints today?”
2. “Can you show me a handprint you made with two colours mixed together?”
3. “What colours did you use for your handprint?”
4. “What should we do after touching paint?”

The teacher praises their efforts and creativity.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally to the questions and show their handprints. They demonstrate their knowledge of the activity.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson and the hand printing process.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reiterating the fun of making handprints and the importance of colours. “Today, we had so much fun making colourful handprints with our own hands! Remember to always be creative and keep your hands clean.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and tidy up their workspace, preparing for the next activity.

Learning Point: Pupils recall the main activity and are encouraged to be creative and tidy.

Lesson Keywords

• Hand – The part of your body at the end of your arm.
• Print – A mark made by pressing.
• Colour – Red, yellow, blue, green.
• Poster colour – Paint for art.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance for dipping and pressing. Offer fewer colour choices to reduce overwhelm. Provide pre-mixed colours.
• Extension: Encourage quicker pupils to make multiple handprints using different colour combinations or to try making a pattern with their prints. They could also try printing with their feet (if appropriate and supervised).

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure all materials are prepared and easily accessible. Cover tables with old newspapers or plastic sheets to manage mess. Have aprons or old shirts for pupils to wear to protect their clothes. Emphasise hygiene by having water, soap, and a towel or wet wipes ready for hand washing immediately after the activity. Supervise closely, especially during colour mixing and dipping, to ensure paint is used safely and not ingested. Encourage all pupils, including shy ones, to participate, praising effort rather than just perfection. Observe what pupils can *do* (dip, press, identify colours) to assess their understanding rather than relying solely on verbal responses.