Lisa set up a wooden room divider covered in butcher’s paper to allow the children to have a larger painting canvas.

Children should have the opportunity to work on a vertical surface as there are many developmental benefits:

• Shoulder/Elbow Stability - The use of larger vertical surfaces allows children to use bigger arm movements that encourage strength and flexibility throughout the arm joints and muscles. 
• Bilateral Coordination - The vertical surface is easier for toddlers to focus on without needing two hands. On a table surface they tend to need two hands, one to paint and one to hold the paper still.
• Pencil Grip – Writing or painting on an upright surface naturally puts the wrist in an extended position which allows more hand and finger control.
• Midline Crossing – The large surface allows the children to have the opportunity for their dominant hand to cross the midline. 

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