When do you introduce drawing/scribbling?

[Nu_Mommy_2003]

When should I start DS using crayons or chalk? Should he be learning to scribble now? He likes banging the washable crayons on the dishwasher to see the pretty colors. I allow this b/c after he finishes marking the inside of the dishwasher I just close it and it washes away. Sorry if this is an off the wall question as I am a first time mom.

[Jennifer Z]

That is esentially how my son started too. I know this would drive a lot of mama's crazy, but we give him washable crayons and let him decorate whatever he wants to in the kitchen. (chose that room because it has easy-to-clean surfaces and has a water source which facilitates clean-up). I started letting him have crayons when he was too young to really get the concept of only drawing on paper without a lot of "no's", which I didn't want to do. Since we are also on a really limited budget, there is no way we could afford the amount of paper he would go through and water to clean the linoleum floor is free. I put the crayons on a little box and just leave them in the kitchen for "walk-by inspiration"

Part of the reason I let him do this too is because I am a firm believer in "art is everywhere", it is not limited to a piece of paper. My ds doesn't speak yet, so this has also provided a way for him to express himself. I have seen him go into the kitchen and do "angry" scribbles when he is upset that gradually turn into softer, more flowing scribbles. He draws a lot now, and even though I can't tell what everything is (other than happy faces, since that is really simple), his drawing is very deliberate and not just scribbling any more. It has been a wonderful journey.

We also gave him sidewalk chalk over the summer and he really enjoyed that too. When cold weather hit, he got very distraught not being able to go outside and started drawing with chalk on the carpets. At first I was trying to redirect him, but soon discovered that it vacuums up pretty easy and we have a steam cleaner to get anything left behind. (keep in mind, the carpet was already pretty worn and should have been replaced before we even moved in, so we aren't as particular as somebody with expensive carpeting).

Just for your information, there is an orange color and a tourquoise color that is a lot more difficult to clean up than the other colors.

[Marsupialmom]

I would encourage you to rethink about were your son is drawing only for the fact that toddlers are known for climbing on and in washers: breaking the door and themselves.

You can use tubs as an art area (easy clean up). Use homemade corn starched base finger paint (I make soupy cornstarch gravy with food coloring, let it cool) to paint on walls.

Big paintbrushes and sponged paintbrushes can be fun at this age.

There is a wonderful product call chalkboard paint. You can get it in the spray can form for about $4 at your local hard ware store. A little sandpaper, primer (I have a 50 yr old home with walls from @#$ this was necessary In new homes I could see it being different), elbow grease and a chalk board : ) very please with this product.

You can also use magnetic paint, which you can use alphabet magnets on. I have old medal cabinets and plenty of room for hanging up stuff and playing.

I had crayons put away; they are too hard to get off of things. My washable markers and chalk are easy access. They have to ask for crayons and scissors, we have had too many disasters. With having to ask I get to supervise and avoid those situations. My youngest is three and we now have the crayons because her personality (knock on wood) does not incline her to draw on walls. My kids showed they could not be responsible to put the scissors back were they have to be asked for. My dh gashed himself with them on night because they were on the floor and it was dark.

[Queen Gwen]

There's a great book about the stages of drawing entitled Young at Art. The author is the woman who wrote the Uncoloring books (can't remember her name, and it was a library book). She gives lots of info about what to expect at various ages and stages, and lots of ideas on how to encourage kids to explore art.

[DaryLLL]

When do you introduce drawing/scribbling?

As soon as I know they won't eat the medium (paint, crayon)--much, or poke their eye out with the pen.

Of course, you can do fingerpainting with pudding. Edible, if sugar and chocolate is allowed. Shaving cream if not.

[DaryLLL]

When do you introduce drawing/scribbling?

As soon as I know they won't eat the medium (paint, crayon)--much, or poke their eye out with the pen.

Of course, you can do fingerpainting with pudding. Edible, if sugar and chocolate is allowed. Shaving cream if not.

BTW, mine preferred play-doh, then modeling clay, quite often to pens, pencils, brushes.

And my dds loved to draw way more, much earlier, than my ds. More fine motor dexterity. He'd rather have just thrown the pen!

[DaryLLL]

When do you introduce drawing/scribbling?

As soon as I know they won't eat the medium (paint, crayon)--much, or poke their eye out with the pen.

Of course, you can do fingerpainting with pudding. Edible, if sugar and chocolate is allowed. Shaving cream if not.

BTW, mine preferred play-doh, then modeling clay, quite often to pens, pencils, brushes.

And my dds loved to draw way more, much earlier, than my ds. And he never ever liked coloring books. the girls had more fine motor dexterity. He'd rather have just thrown the pen!

[kimmysue2]

My son started youngm 15 month. Since he came to work with me I would sit him down and let him draw with a ball point pen. He would always eat crayons so I got him those markers that only work on the special paper. Those are great!. I did get him crayola washable markers but he likes to use them on more then paper.
He is pretty good about drawing/scribbling.

[luv my 2 sweeties]

Fat colored pencils are good for 1 year olds (or older) who like to eat crayons! :LOL They are also great because they mark well on paper, but not so well on the table, skin and clothing.

[Nu_Mommy_2003]

Thanks for all the input and Happy New Year

BTW- I am definitely trying the cornstarch painting b/c it sounds like fun for us both

[Mary-Beth]

I'd say as soon as your child won't just teethe on and eat them- you can make these type of art materials available...crayons, markers, colored pencils, chalk (crayons could break and cause choking). I let my dd finger paint as early as 6months...with close supervision. With crayons my dd initially just liked taking them out of the box and putting them back in again. That was the game and that was fine with me. I try to let her discover what the materials can do on her own.
Water can serve as a "paint" on a drive way or dark dry surface like the zen paintings you may have seen in stores.
~Have fun!

[~ATenthMuse~]

A couple of months ago my dd, now 17 mths, went nuts everytime her db was at the table doing homework, she was obsessed with being up there. Finally, we figured it out and gave her pen, paper, and crayons. She loves to write and draw, it's her favorite activity now! She's really awesome.

So I say as soon as they show some interest, it's time.

[MamaMonica]

Both my kids were scribbling by 11 months- then we just watched them with the crayons and they had a magnadoodle. I think some kids really take to it- just give them the stuff! Unfortunately our walls also have been decorated.