Paper is a versatile material to use in early childhood education. Although it is a processed material, it is sustainable. Paper and cardboard can be found for free in the recycling bin, and businesses can donate unwanted office materials.
Paper can be used in STEM, visual arts, design and communication learning experiences. It makes a great loose part.
EYLF learning outcomes
Paper and cardboard align with the Early Years Learning Framework as they are materials (4.4).
Types of paper and cardboard
Introduce children to new types of paper and cardboard:
Appliance boxes, baking paper, brown paper bags, butchers paper, cardboard tubes, coloured paper, corrugated cardboard, crepe paper, food packaging, glossy paper, graph paper, greeting cards, index cards, magazines, newspaper, notebooks, origami paper, paper plates, paper towels, rice paper, sand paper, scrapbooking paper, shopping bags, tissue paper, tracing paper, wallpaper samples, watercolor paper and wrapping paper.
Learning experiences
Use paper in art experiences
Paper and cardboard can be used to make:
Beads, boats, books, cards, crowns, cubby houses, decorations, dolls, fans, flags, flowers, greeting cards, houses, jigsaw puzzles, kites, lanterns, masks, name tags, paper chains, pinwheels, puppets, telescopes and treasure maps.
Paper and cardboard can be used for:
- drawing
- painting
- collage and decoupage
- sculpture
- origami and folding paper aeroplanes
- creative writing
- cutting with scissors.
Create recycled art
Minga Opazo created Monoculture using recycled cardboard and copper wire. Show children the image of this artwork and discuss the materials, tools and techniques used. Encourage children to use cardboard rubbish to create their own artworks. What other materials can you combine the cardboard with?
Resources
Picture books
- The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
- The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers