Mark-making (as simple as it sounds- putting making marks on paper) is a fundamental starting stage in learning to write.
So what do you do when a toddler won’t even hold a pencil crayon?
This is a problem I faced two weeks ago and we went from a complete refusal to hold a crayon to this….
which in my (biased) opinion, is a wonderful work of art 😊.
So how did we get there?
- Got Dad involved. 10 minutes of colouring and drawing with dad (initially just watching) on an evening was enough to start getting him interested in it. It stopped being ‘work’ and suddenly began to be something fun (as daddy does it!!). It’s important to show children that we write and draw too in the adult world- not only does it make it more appealing but it gives it a purpose. I’ve also found it important for more than one person to draw/colour with the child, so there is a variety of different things being drawn in different ways.
- We tried different implements. He didn’t like crayons and we think this was because you have to press quite hard to get a decent mark. Whereas felt tips produced a much darker mark with less effort. We also tried glitter glue, pencils, wax crayons and paints.
- Outdoor fun– for a child that loves to be active and outside, drawing and colouring inside at a table can seem like a chore. We tried chalk and ‘painting’ the patio with water on a hot days.
- Select the coloured pencil/felt tip wisely. When you’ve worked out if they favour felt tips or crayons make sure you also choose the right type (colour/chunky/slim) We discovered he loves the colour red and a smaller size, so given a small red felt tip pen- was much happier to have a go! Often it’s the little things that make the big differences to toddlers.
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Categories: fine motor skills, Kids Craft, Uncategorized
The SEN Resources Blog 
Some great ideas and I love that you’ve explained WHY they work (e.g. seeing an adult colouring gives purpose to it, using felt tips makes a mark more easily than crayons). My little one loves to colour and it’s something we really enjoy doing together 🙂 #blogcrush
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Thank you, great that your child loves colouring. It’s funny how some children absolutely love colouring and drawing and others don’t.
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I love getting dad involved, so many dads feel out of their depth sometimes but art is a great activity that everyone can enjoy! #BlogCrush
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I think you’re spot on, they really do. I often get Craft/drawing activities out when we have guests over as well to get everyone involved! Always easier with another pair of hands too and good for children to see that other people enjoy activities too
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These are great tips and I’ll definitely be trying. My girl loves mark making, but not holding a pen or pencil and now she’s in year 1, it could become a problem! #Blogcrush
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Thanks Kel. How did you find the activities- did they help your daughter?
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Lovely post… and some very useful tips. Thanks for sharing… sharing it too.
#Blogcrush
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Pleased you liked it! 😀 thankyou
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Great ideas! It’s all about thinking outside the box isn’t it. Love the painting with water on a hot day – minimal mess! D got an aquadoodle for her birthday and we love that for the same reason 🙂 thanks for sharing #BlogCrush
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Thank you! Aqua doodles are a big hit in my house too (I love the lack of mess aswell!!!)
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Fabulous tips, we love making things fun to encourage learning! Thanks so much for sharing with #BLogstravaganza xx
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Thank you Zoe, means a lot. Glad you liked the ideas
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Some good tips here. My daughter has always loved drawing and colouring. Thanks for linking up to #Blogstravaganza
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My eldest was exactly like this, he wouldn’t mark make at all. All of the other children at preschool would come home with hundreds of pictures each week and he didn’t. Now he has beautiful handwriting and loves to draw! #blogstravaganza
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