Plant printing works on fabric. [Photo/WeChat account: wenmingjinghai]
Tianjin Jinghai Experimental School Affiliated To Beijing Normal University recently held a hands-on learning activity on plant printing.
The activity, designed for students in grades 2 to 6, guided children to explore nature, understand local intangible cultural heritage, and develop artistic skills.
Plant printing is a traditional technique that uses leaves and flowers to print natural colors and patterns onto cloth without chemical dyes. Students collected materials on campus and in nearby green spaces, observing the shapes, layers, and textures of different plants and gathering elements for later.
A student shows her artwork during a class at Tianjin Jinghai Experimental School Affiliated To Beijing Normal University. [Photo/WeChat account: wenmingjinghai]
During the practical session, teachers showed students how to place plants flat on cloth, control tapping strength, and create balanced compositions. Students experimented with handkerchiefs, fans, and small bags and tried different arrangements to develop personal styles.
To showcase the results, the school organized a small exhibition featuring students' work. These displays included bright flowers on handkerchiefs, red leaves on fans, and vines on cloth bags. The exhibition allowed students to share ideas, appreciate one another's work, and gain a deeper understanding of traditional craftsmanship.
A student taps a leaf with a small hammer while practicing plant printing at Tianjin Jinghai Experimental School Affiliated To Beijing Normal University. [Photo/WeChat account: wenmingjinghai]