Physical
Items required: paint brushes (fairly large), one for each participant/ water paints/bowls for water/several papers each with the bold outline of a common farm animal/paper towels/paint shirts, small paint palettes, and masking tape.
Gather participants around the table and greet each one by name, eye contact, and touch.
Show them what they are going to be using, the paints, the brushes, and the pictures. Assist them in covering their clothing with the paint shirts and rolling up sleeves. Give each individual a paint brush and assist them with the grasp if needed. Provide a paint palette for each (could be a small paper plate or a plastic lid, etc.).
Share an outlined picture by holding it up and asking what it is.
Once labeled, give the drawing to one of the participants and hold up a second drawing. Ask again what it is and again give it to another participant. Continue until everyone has a picture.
Next, take two color palettes to each participant and ask them which they would like to use to paint their picture. They need only point. Leave that palette with the individual and encourage him/her to begin painting their picture and then move on to the next person until all have paint. Provide steady encouragement and hands-on-help when needed throughout the process.
(You could have two separated colors on one palette rather than just one color.) Judge your population. Would they be confused by two colors and unable to begin painting? Would they unable to make a choice and again be unable to start painting? Know your participants.
Placing a loop of masking tape on the bottom of the palette will keep it from sliding around, and off, the table.
Cognitive
Items required: papers with the solid outlines of common farm animals, one per page.
Gather participants around the table and greet each one by name, eye, and touch.
Explain that you have some animal outlines and you want them to name the animal depicted.
Hold up one outline and move it slowly through the field of vision for each participant. Stop at each individual long enough for them to focus on the picture. Once everyone has seen the outline, bring it back to the center table, hold it up, and ask “What animal is this?” If there are no answers, provide clues; “Is this a dog or a cow?” Perhaps it would help to list characteristics. Maybe it has long ears, horns, a pointed nose, a short bushy tail, etc.. Once you have elicited an answer (and it might be, “Is this a cow? Yes? Do you think this is a cow? Yes! This is a cow!”) move on to the second outline and perform the same activity. Once all the animals have been named, bring out the now dry paintings done earlier; share their colors. Before everyone leaves, thank them, by name, for participating.
