Pick a room in the house where you feel comfortable letting your child use paints. Then cover the floor and table with newspaper. Help your child roll their sleeves up and put on an apron, smock or oversize shirt to protect clothing from paint.

Ask your child to spread paint on some paper. Sprinkle a tablespoon (15 ml) of water over the surface and show how slippery it becomes. You can also reverse the process and drop a teaspoonful (5 ml) of finger paint onto wet paper. Compare the different textures.

Start off with one primary colour. Present other colours gradually so your child can mix them and watch how they change. Involve your child in the process and talk about how finger paint feels. Encourage them to describe what they¿re doing.

Put on some music that makes little fingers want to move! Show your child how to use their fingers to draw designs. You can make a print of your child's finger painting by placing another piece of paper, the same size or larger, over the surface of the painting and pressing down gently.

If your child is reluctant to get their hands dirty with finger paints, you can substitute other materials, such as liquid soap, shaving cream with a drop of food colouring added, even chocolate pudding!

Water-resistant paper or special finger paint paper means you can watch the paints swirl and mix that much better.