Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have all materials ready: poster colours (primary colours like red, blue, yellow are ideal), small plates or palettes for each colour, scrapbooks or plain paper, and wet wipes or a basin of water for easy clean-up. The central idea is for pupils to recognise colours and their thumbs, then enjoy the sensory experience of making prints. Observe pupils as they dip their thumbs and make prints, ensuring they handle the materials safely and clean their hands afterwards.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Identifying different colours and body parts (fingers).
Topic: THUMB PRINT
Subject Matter: THUMB PRINT.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify at least three different colours (e.g., red, blue, yellow).
- Identify their own thumb.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while engaging in the thumb printing activity.
- Appreciate the colourful prints they create.
Psychomotor Domain
- Dip their thumb into poster colour.
- Make clear thumb prints on paper.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in the group activity.
- Share materials respectfully with peers (if applicable).
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Scrapbooks or plain sheets of paper
- Poster colours (e.g., red, blue, yellow)
- Small plates or palettes for holding colours
- Wet wipes or a basin of water and soap for cleaning hands
- Pupils’ thumbs
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and colour recognition through a fun, tactile activity. Thumb printing encourages creativity and self-expression, allowing children to explore textures and colours while making a personal mark. It also reinforces body awareness by focusing on the thumb.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some basic colours and are familiar with their fingers and other body parts.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
THUMB PRINT
Thumb printing is a fun art activity where you use your thumb to make colourful marks on paper. It helps us learn about colours and use our hands in a creative way.
What we need:
- Paper (scrapbook)
- Bright colours (poster colours)
- Our thumbs!
How to make a thumb print:
- Choose a colour you like.
- Dip your thumb gently into the colour.
- Press your thumb onto the paper.
- Lift your thumb to see your print!
- You can make many prints with different colours.
Key Words
- Thumb – The short, thick finger on your hand.
- Print – A mark made by pressing something onto a surface.
- Colour – What we see, like red, blue, or yellow.
Colour and Print Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
My little thumb, my little thumb,
Dip it in the colour, what fun!
Red, red, red, on the paper spread,
Blue, blue, blue, a print for you!
My little thumb, my little thumb,
Making prints, one by one!
Actions: Wiggle thumb, pretend to dip thumb, press thumb on palm, show red/blue colours with hands.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce thumb printing as a fun way to make art. Show the poster colours and ask pupils to name them. Explain the simple steps clearly, using short sentences.
What to show or demonstrate: Hold up your thumb and ask pupils to show theirs. Demonstrate how to gently dip your thumb into one colour on a palette and then press it onto a piece of paper. Show how to lift it carefully to reveal the print. Emphasize making different prints with different colours.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Colour and Print Rhyme” several times with the pupils. Encourage them to do the actions, especially wiggling their thumbs and pretending to dip and print. Use it to energise them before the practical activity.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify their thumb and the colours. Watch for pupils who might dip their thumb too deeply or press too hard. Guide them to be gentle. Ensure they understand the process of dipping and printing.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Question and Answer
- Practical Activity
- Manipulation of Objects
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts a short song about fingers, asking them to wiggle their fingers. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we are going to make beautiful art using our thumbs and colours!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing along, wiggle their fingers, and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Identifying Colours
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recognition/Naming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows the different poster colours one by one (e.g., red, blue, yellow) and asks pupils to name each colour. The teacher repeats the names clearly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and name the colours as prompted by the teacher, repeating the names after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and name basic colours.
Step 3: Identifying the Thumb
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Body Awareness
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to show their hands and then points to their own thumb, asking, “Which one is your thumb?” The teacher encourages pupils to point to their own thumb.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils show their hands and point to their thumbs.
Learning Point: Pupils can correctly identify their thumb.
Step 4: Teacher Demonstration of Thumb Printing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the thumb printing process: dipping a thumb gently into a colour on a palette and pressing it onto a piece of paper, then lifting it to show the print. The teacher repeats with another colour.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing how to dip and print.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the steps involved in making a thumb print.
Step 5: Guided Practice and Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes scrapbooks and palettes with colours. The teacher guides pupils to gently dip their thumbs into one colour. The teacher then leads the class in singing the “Colour and Print Rhyme” with actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils prepare their materials, dip their thumbs into a chosen colour with guidance, and sing the rhyme with actions.
Learning Point: Pupils practice dipping their thumbs and reinforce learning through song.
Step 6: Pupil Activity: Making Thumb Prints
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Supervision
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to make several thumb prints on their scrapbooks, using different colours. The teacher supervises, offers help, and reminds them to be gentle and keep their prints neat. The teacher also reminds them about cleaning hands after.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively engage in making thumb prints on their scrapbooks, experimenting with different colours.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding to create their own thumb print art.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Show me your thumb.”
- “What colour is this print?” (pointing to a print on a pupil’s paper or a sample)
- “Can you make one more thumb print for me?”
- “What did we use to make these prints?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Closure/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their beautiful thumb prints and their participation. The teacher reminds them to clean their hands thoroughly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils tidy up their materials and clean their hands, feeling proud of their work.
Learning Point: Pupils feel accomplished and learn the importance of cleaning up after art activities.
Lesson Keywords
- Thumb – The short, thick finger on your hand.
- Print – A mark made by pressing something onto a surface.
- Colour – What we see, like red, blue, or yellow.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance for dipping and pressing the thumb. Start with fewer colour choices (e.g., just one or two) and provide extra verbal prompts.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to try making simple patterns with their prints, or to name additional colours if available. They could also try making prints with other fingers to observe the difference in shape.
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