Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

It seems as though every day DD comes home with paint on her fingers and or toes for some project they are working on. She is 6 months old so she constantly has her fingers and her feet near or in her mouth. Since i've been noticing the paint everyday today I told DH when he was dropping her off to tell them not to paint with DD for a while. The head teacher called and asked why I'm not letting her paint and the paint is non toxic and that she is going to be sitting around doing nothing.

I dunno am I being unreasonable. I don't know what paint she is using, not to say i don't believe its not toxic but paint everyday on her hands and feet which she puts in her mounth bothers me. what do you think?

I told her to just let her play on the mat when the other kids are painting. I doubt she feel excluded. She;s 6 months!

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

When I worked in daycare we always let the babies paint. The paint was always no toxic and they really loved it

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

never thought about it when DS was that age at daycare. I noticed little paint under his fingernails so that's how I knew they painted that day.
They did a lot of hand and feet print for the art projects. i thought it was cute. They basically dip it in and wipe it off immediatly. They cleaned him well and like I said... only noticed a little paint under his nails once in a while.

If there's still a lot of paint on his hand I'd question them about cleaning their hands immediatly, but as long as the paint is safe and they keep them clean I'm ok with it. I keep all his stuff in a keepsake box.
He's 19 months now and doing more artwork
if you're uncomfortable with it then you can tell them to stop. He's 6 months, I don't think he'll feel left out or anything.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

paint can be made wtih edible ingredients, but you know red #5 is not considered toxic, but it does give some children problems....

I don't think your too paranoid, but I would wait to see if its affecting your 6m old first, then take it away.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Mich it's totally fine.. let her paint. It's non toxic. John always came home with paint on hands and toes.

And it gives them new textures to feel and stuff.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

I wouldn't stress.. be happy that they are doing projects with your 6 month old! There have been stretches at daycare where DS did nothing.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

ds came home with green paint in his hair, under his nails and i was told it was ALL over him (before they cleaned him up) i LOVE it because he really enjoys it!

they would never use it if it were toxic, dont stress it

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Id let her, I used to finger paint with DS all the time when he was that age. Id lay a drop cloth down in the kitchen and let him go to town. I personally would be OK with it, and think of it this way, at least they are keeping her engaged.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Eh, minority here but even though it's non toxic, it's still has chemicals in it, etc. I would not be happy with that.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

I think you're being unreasonable - they are NOT going to give 6 month old babies paint that could be toxic to them - I'm SURE whatever they are using is perfectly safe for the age group -

Sean used to come home covered in it - but he had a great time.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Wait- babies paint? At 6 months?

With regular finger paint???

I never even CONSIDERED that my ds at 9 1/2 months could paint.

What should I buy???

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

babies are very tactile - is enjoyable for them to paint, and good for their motor skills development. I would let your baby paint... both of mine have been painting since they were 3 months old, with non-toxic paint, at school, and they have never had any issues.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Ok thanks guys. I'm going to call back and say she can paint! Thanks for keeping me in check! HA!

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

I have never ever heard of giving paint to a baby at 6 months, they are JUST able to sit up unassisted.

I am also in the minority here, but unless they are painting with pudding or something food-based, there HAS to be chemicals in it.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

DS is in a home based daycare and I dont think they ever painted! I would LOVE to have DS paint!..DH would KILLLLLL me though! He is a clean freak!

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Posted by mrsmcd

Posted by BrinaEsq

Wait- babies paint? At 6 months?

With regular finger paint???

I never even CONSIDERED that my ds at 9 1/2 months could paint.

What should I buy???

This is what I was thinking. DD has never painted. She's 7 months. Maybe it's because she's not in daycare. Should I be painting with her???

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Posted by BrinaEsq

Posted by mrsmcd
As usual LIF has me in a frenzy. MUST. GET. PAINTS. OR. BABY. WILL. SUFFER. I'll let you know how it goes, lol.

holy cr@p! me too! Buying painting materials tomorrow!

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

DS does a lot of handprint and footprints at daycare but most of it is done with these large ink pads. I agree, I think painting is just another thing for them to enjoy trying at this age!

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

DS paints all the time at daycare since he was very little. They clean them off well, and will even take off their clothes if they are wearing nice ones so they don't get dirty.

Re: Painting at daycare w/ my 6 month old...

Painting is part of the curriculum at my kids' day care. It introduces them to all sorts of sensory input. It can also clue a teacher or parent in on if their child demonstrates tactile defensiveness. I never gave any thought to the toxicity of the paint they use.