- Definition
A stencil is like a cutout shape you put on paper or fabric, then you paint over it to make that shape appear on the surface below.
Placing a star-shaped stencil on paper and painting over it leaves a star shape on the page.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A stencil is like a cookie cutter for painting — you use it to make the same shape over and over.
Ask your child: If we made a stencil of your hand, what would the painted shape look like?
Common mix-up: Kids may confuse a stencil with a stamp. A stamp presses a design onto paper, while a stencil is a template you paint through to create the shape.
Examples
- Using a letter stencil to paint your name on a poster.
- Using a leaf-shaped stencil to decorate a card for fall.
- Using a flower stencil with sidewalk chalk to decorate the driveway.
stencil is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
