Why Handprint Transformation works

Turn the outline or print of a hand into something unrelated to a hand by assigning new meanings to fingers and palm. Look at the hand shape from more than one orientation.

Set up — Look at the hand shape from more than one orientation

Prepare paper and crayons before the child is asked to look at the hand shape from more than one orientation. Use the result of having the child look at the hand shape from more than one orientation as the setup for the move into choose what the palm will become in the new picture. Use age-appropriate art materials and supervise cutting, small parts, or messy media as needed while that starting condition is being established.

Step 2 — Choose what the palm will become in the new picture

Give the child time to choose what the palm will become in the new picture and notice the result. The following instruction to assign at least two fingers a new role such as legs, feathers or branches should use what they learned after previously trying to look at the hand shape from more than one orientation.

Step 3 — Assign at least two fingers a new role such as legs, feathers…

Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to assign at least two fingers a new role such as legs, feathers or branches. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to add only the details needed to make the transformation readable.

Step 4 — Add only the details needed to make the transformation readable

After the child tries to add only the details needed to make the transformation readable, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’ rather than explaining it for them.

Step 5 — Name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’

Have the child name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’ before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’, especially compared with the earlier request to add only the details needed to make the transformation readable.

What to notice before Name the finished image without using the word…

Keep adult commentary light while the child works toward add only the details needed to make the transformation readable. Their own response should show which visual decision changes the composition, texture, shape, or story before the activity finishes with the request to name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’.

Make Assign at least two fingers a new… easier or harder

For younger or less confident players, limit the materials and make one visual choice at a time before the step to assign at least two fingers a new role such as legs, feathers or branches. If the child asks for more, add one constraint about shape, placement, pattern, or storytelling and then return to the final request to name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’.

Finish after Name the finished image without using the word…

Name the finished image without using the word ‘hand’. Once that result is clear, end the round and leave any harder variation for another time. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.