At Apple Hill Academy daycare center, we take a “hands-on” approach to teaching, and this means using multi-sensory teaching methods whenever possible. Finger painting allows children to learn through their senses and can be used with babies beginning at age eighteen months. Toddlers in our childcare center prefer this activity hands down to others!
The term “hands down” dates to the 1800s. It is a horse racing term, used to describe the point in the race where a jockey drops his hands downward (signifying he was relaxed) because he had the race “in the bag” and knew he would succeed in winning.
As preschool children develop hand-eye coordination through finger painting, they start to use both of their hands together at the same time across the paper. Their bilateral skills help them to create works of art that are a winner every time: hands down!
