| How to Sponge Paint With Kids Posted: 22 May 2018 05:00 PM PDT Sponge painting is a fun, easy craft to do with kids. You can cut the sponges into a variety of shapes to stimulate and encourage your child's creativity. Once you have the basic technique down, use the sponges to decorate a number of surfaces, from posters to bedroom walls. EditCutting the Sponges - Get a plain kitchen sponge. Kitchen sponges come with tiny holes and larger holes, so you can pick the one that you like. Make sure that the sponge does not have a scratchy pad on 1 side. It will be difficult to cut.[1]
- Consider getting multiple sponges in different colors. This way, you can match the sponge to the paint color.
- Do not use sea sponges if you want to cut out specific shapes. They are too lumpy. They will make great clouds, however!
- Clean the sponge, if needed, then allow it to dry. Store bought sponges are already clean, but used kitchen sponges are dirty. If you are reusing an old sponge, clean it with soap and hot water. Rinse the sponge until all of the soap bubbles are gone, then set it out to dry.
- The sponge must be completely dry, otherwise the marker will bleed.
- Use a cookie cutter and a marker to trace a shape onto the sponge. Depending on the size of the cookie cutter, you may be able to fit 2 shapes onto 1 sponge. You can also draw the shapes by hand if you prefer.[2]
- Simple shapes, like hearts and stars, work better than more complex shapes, like snowflakes.
- For complex shapes, like a flower, draw the flower, stem, and leaves separately.
- Consider other learning shapes, such as letters, numbers, circles, or squares.
- Cut the sponge with scissors along the lines that you drew. Make short, little snips as you cut, otherwise the edges may come out jagged. You can discard the scraps, or you can save them to make geometric shapes![3]
- This step should be completed by an adult, even if the child helped you draw the shapes.
- If you drew separate shapes, like a flower, stem, and leaves, cut them out separately.
- Get additional sponges to paint with, if desired. Visit your local craft store, and see what types of sponges that you can find. Pick up a few and have them ready to paint with. Do not cut these sponges.
- Sponge brushes come with wedge-shaped tips, so they are perfect for creating lines and flower stems.
- Pouncers are round sponge brushes perfect for making polka dots.
- Sea sponges are very lumpy and ideal for clouds.
EditSetting up a Workspace - Choose an easy-to-clean area. Sponge painting can get messy, so some place that is easy to clean would be the best. Painting outside on a warm, sunny day is a great idea because the paint will dry faster. Your child may also find inspiration in the world around them.
- Make sure that you have a table that you can work on, and that nothing that can get dirty or ruined is nearby.
- If you are painting outside, try a patio table. You can also have your child sit on the sidewalk.
- Cover your work surface with newspaper. Use 2 to 3 layers of newspaper in case your child spills some paint or water. Another option is to cut up a plastic or paper bag, and use that instead. You can also use a cheap, plastic tablecloth or butcher paper.
- You can find cheap, plastic tablecloths in the baking or party supply section of a craft store.
- Have your child put on some easy-to-clean clothing. Even though most children's paints are washable, there is still a chance that they might stain. If your child likes to get messy, it would be a good idea to have them wear an apron or an art smock as well.
- If you are using acrylic paint, then you should definitely have your child wear clothing that can get dirty.
- If your child is wearing a shirt with long sleeves, be sure to roll them up.
- If your child has long hair, pull it back into a braid or ponytail.
- Pour some water-based paint onto a palette. Tempera paint, poster paint, or acrylic craft paint all work great for this. Make a blob big enough to dip the sponge into. Use 1 color of paint per palette.[4]
- Paper plates and plastic lids make perfect palette.
- If the paint is thick like toothpaste, stir some water into it. This will make it more spreadable and easier to soak into the sponge.
- Look for paints that say things like "washable" or "kids' paint."
- Spread some paper onto a flat surface. If you want to, tape down the corners of the paper, or weigh them down with smooth stones. Poster paper, printer paper, or construction paper all work just fine for this. You can even use one of those giant sketch pads instead.[5]
- If you are using a sketch pad, tear the paper out first. Otherwise, the paint may accidentally bleed through the paper and stain the next page.
- Another option is to use fabric. Heavier fabric, such as canvas, will work better than thinner fabric, such as cotton.
- For a wearable project, use an apron, tote bag, or T-shirt. Acrylic paint or fabric paint will work the best.[6]
EditCreating Your Painting - Dip your sponge into the paint. Hold the sponge by the edges in 1 hand, then lower it into the paint. Press it into the paint firmly enough to soak some paint up, but not so firmly that it soaks through to the top of the sponge.[7]
- Make sure that the entire bottom of the sponge is touching the paint.
- Lift the sponge out, then press it against your paper. Again, press the sponge firmly enough to make an imprint, but not so firmly that all of the paint leaks out against the paper.[8]
- Simply patting it against the paper should be enough; you shouldn't have to squish down on it.
- Pull the sponge away to reveal your shape. There will be a slight, bumpy texture left in the paint, which is the whole point of sponge painting. Depending on how big the holes were in your sponge, you may also see white speckles in your shape!
- Sprinkle some glitter onto the wet paint before it dries for a sparkly effect!
- Repeat the process to stamp more shapes against the paper. There should be enough paint left on your sponge to stamp it 1 or 2 more times. Each time you stamp with the sponge, your image will be fainter and fainter. Eventually, you will need to reload it with more paint.
- Use a regular sponge and a lighter color to create a background first if desired. Let the paint dry before moving on.
- Use different shapes and colors to create a more detailed design. Clean the sponge with water before switching to a new color. You don't have to dry the sponge out completely, but you should squeeze the excess water out from it.[9]
- If you want to overlap shapes, let the first layer of paint dry.
- For example, use a round yellow shape for a flower's center, round red shapes for the petals, and a skinny, green rectangle for the stem.
- Let the paint dry. How long this takes depends on the weather and how much paint your child used. In most cases, this should only take 10 to 15 minutes. If the paint is not drying fast enough, set it out in the warm sunshine or dry it with a hairdryer.
- If you used fabric paint, you may have to heat set it. Cover the painting with a tea towel, then press it with a warm iron. Read the instructions on the paint bottle for more detail.
EditGetting Creative - Apply the paint to the sponge, then drag the sponge across the paper. This is a great alternative to the traditional way of sponge painting. Flip your sponge over, and make a few drops of different colors of paint across the middle of the sponge. Turn the sponge back over and press it against the paper. Drag the sponge across the paper to reveal your design![10]
- The drops of paint should all be right next to each other, touching.
- Add some finger painting if your child likes to get messy. If your child wants a more hands-on activity, let them! Have them dip their fingers into the paint, then add some dots and stripes to their composition.[11]
- Make sure that the paint is non-toxic first. Most children's paint is non-toxic, but read the label to be sure.
- Paint over stencils for a unique effect. Place a stencil over your paper, or create an image using masking tape. Stamp away on the paper with a sponge and paint, then let the paint dry. Once the paint has dried, pull the stencil away, or peel the tape off.[12]
- A neat alternative to this is to create an image using a white crayon, then sponge paint over it with watercolor paint.
- Use a paper plate as your canvas to create an apple. Use sponge and red paint to cover a plain, white paper plate. Let the paint dry, then cut a stem out of brown paper and a leaf out of green paper. Staple or glue the stem and leaf to the top of the apple.[13]
- You can use this technique and different colors to create other fun shapes, such as oranges, suns, or turkeys.
- Use sponge paint instead of dye to color Easter eggs. Instead of working with messy liquid dyes, sponge paint pictures and designs onto the eggs. You may need to craft stands or hold the egg for your kids as they paint, since holding and painting might be difficult for younger ages.
- Blow the yolks and whites out of the eggs first. This way, you can still eat the eggs.
- If you want to paint whole eggs, hard boil them first, and be sure to use non-toxic paint.
- Decorate a wooden toy chest with your kids. Paper and fabric aren't the only options for painting! Get a wooden toy chest or crate, and paint it using larger sponge shapes. Acrylic craft paint will work the best for this, but you can use non-washable tempera paint too.
- Make sure that the tempera paint is labeled "non-washable," otherwise it will come off if it gets wet.
- Use the sponge painting activity for educational purposes. Cut out letters of the alphabet or numbers to help young children learn the alphabet or count to 10.
- Help young children learn color and shape with the sponges![14]
- Use clothespins to hold uncut sponges for a mess-free project.[15]
EditThings You'll Need - Sponge
- Cookie cutter
- Marker
- Scissors
- Styrofoam trays or paper plates
- Water
- Paper or poster board
- Non-toxic paint
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Do Reverse Crunches Posted: 22 May 2018 09:00 AM PDT The reverse crunch is a core exercise that targets the muscles of the lower abdomen. To perform a reverse crunch, lie flat on your back with your hands beneath your hips. Bend your knees and lift them towards your head, drawing them upward slightly at the end of the movement. Lower your feet back down just above the floor to complete one repetition. Add reverse crunches to your regular core routine to progress along your journey towards a tight, toned waistline! EditGetting into Position - Lie flat on your back. Fully extend your legs, with your toes pointing upward and keeping your gaze focused on the ceiling. Your body should form a straight line from head to toe.[1]
- Relax your shoulders and neck to minimize the tension in your upper body.
- Stretching out on a lightly cushioned surface like a yoga mat or a carpeted section of the floor can make performing the exercise more comfortable.
- Place your arms down beside your body. Reach your fingertips toward your feet on either side of your thighs. Press your palms firmly into the floor to create stability. If you don't feel quite stable enough in this position, try sliding the backs of your hands beneath your buttocks to anchor your arms closer to your body.[2]
- Bend your knees if you need to do so. The straighter your legs, the more of an ab workout this exercise gives you. If you're just starting out, though, or if you have limited mobility, you may find it helpful to bend your knees in the beginning. Lift your feet and pull your knees back until your thighs are perpendicular to the floor. Then, tighten the muscles in your hips and thighs to lock your legs in place. They should remain at this angle throughout the entire movement.[3]
- With your feet elevated and your knees bent, the tops of your shins should be roughly parallel to the floor.
EditPerforming the Crunch - Draw your knees toward your head. Contract the muscles of your lower abdomen and bring your bent knees straight back until they're just in front of your face. Make sure your hips and butt are firmly rooted to the floor. They'll act as a hinge for your thighs to swivel over.[4]
- Don't forget to breathe. You'll exhale sharply as you bring your knees up and exhale as you lower them down.
- Lift your knees upward at the top of the movement. As your knees come level with your gaze, push them up in the direction of the ceiling. This should cause your lower back and buttocks to come off the ground by an inch or two.[5]
- This extra lift increases the overall range of motion, making the crunch more effective.
- Avoid rocking into the movement or extending your back too forcefully. You're just looking for a tight vertical tilt to briefly engage your middle and upper abs.
- Lower your knees back to hip level. Let your lower body come down in a slow, controlled manner, stopping when your thighs are once again perpendicular. Reverse the motion of your legs and raise your knees again to start the next repetition. You've just completed your first reverse crunch![6]
- Pause briefly before beginning your next rep. When you return to the starting position, take a split second to steady yourself and neutralize any momentum you've built up. That way, you won't be tempted to cheat when transitioning into the next crunch. Your core muscles alone should initiate the movement.[7]
- Pausing momentarily will also give you a chance to catch your breath and assess your technique.
- Aim for 8-12 crunches per set. A low-moderate rep scheme will offer just enough of a challenge when you're first starting out. For best results, make an effort to perform each crunch with proper form and a full range of motion. Your abs will thank you for it![8]
- Feel free to pick a higher or lower number to suit your individual fitness level.
- It's okay if you don't get the same number of reps every set. You might be able to complete 12 crunches while you're fresh, but only grind out 8 by the time you reach your final set.
EditIntensifying the Movement - Increase your total number of repetitions. Once you get to the point where you can do 8-12 reps with ease, gradually work your way up to 15 reps. Keep working until you get up to 3 sets of 15 reps. If you're looking for further intensity after that, try a variation of the exercise such as leg lifts.[9]
- The number of sets you do will depend on your individual goals and the way the rest of your workout is structured. Remember, though, that too many reps of any type of spine crunch can be dangerous long-term.
- Quality is more important than quantity. You'll only be doing yourself a disservice by letting your technique break down in order to get more reps in.
- Incorporate a standard crunch. Place your hands above your head or rest your fingertips on your earlobes. Then squeeze your upper abs until your head and shoulders are off the floor. You can either maintain this position as a static hold while doing your reverse crunches, or raise both your upper and lower body simultaneously for a blistering total ab workout.[10]
- Make sure your core stays tightly contracted throughout the entire movement to steady yourself and keep both halves of your body moving in sync with one another.
- Try them on a decline bench or chair. Lie on a decline or sit-up bench, or a sturdy household chair, so that your head is higher than your legs and grip the upper end with both hands for support. Then, pull your knees up and back just like you would for a regular reverse crunch. The slight change in angle will introduce a whole new element to the exercise.[11]
- A decline bench with variable height settings will allow you to make the movement slightly easier if you're fatigued or struggling to make it through a full range of motion. However, a sturdy chair will work just as well if you don't want to invest in new equipment.
- Performing reverse crunches on a decline forces you to engage the muscles of your lower abs even more.
- Reverse crunches are an alternative to traditional crunches and situps. They may work better for those who suffer from lower back pain or are looking for an alternative to the standard crunch.
- Keep up a consistent pace. Both the raising and lowering portions of the movement should take about 3-5 full seconds.
- If you're having trouble keeping your shoulders from coming up off the floor, try extending your arms overhead and holding onto a stable surface, such as a bench or dumbbell, to create a counterpoint.
- Be careful not to let your back arch as you lower your legs. Doing so can place unnecessary strain on your lower back and lead to pain, injury, and discomfort.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário