when did you start creative.. pen and paper, finger paints

[JordanKX]

When did this start for your kiddos - the pen and paper, the finger paint, anything creative with the hands?

DS is 13 months and Wants the pen. He grabs and marks. He flips the paper to the next page, starting again.

This week I gave him 3 different colored crayons.. he started with one, scribbled. Grabbed another and scribbled on top. And then flipped to a fresh piece of paper and started again.

I feel like we need to do some finger-paints. side note- he's only been in "playcare" for a few days and they haven't done finger-painting yet. So this is totally coming from within HIM.

What else have you done to encourage the scribbling?

[jellybeanandkids]

My DD is 16 months and loves to color. I think she'd like finger
painting, so I have thought about trying that with chocolate pudding or something, I know she would love that.

[Chichimeca]

DS started doing art activities at daycare before we started them at home (we were a little slow on the uptake that he was ready for that!). They start including the kids in creative activities when they're about 12 months old. They do markers, crayons, stickers on paper, colored chalk, and finger painting. Well, it's actually more like body painting. They strip them down to just their diapers, tape big pieces of paper to the wall, put out tons of fingerpaint, and then let them loose! I think it's tons of fun for the kids, but I haven't been brave enough to try it at home (DS always makes a break for the couch whenever has has anything messy on him). They also do things like give them popcorn to dip in water and then stick to a piece of paper.

At home we keep lots of colored pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, colored paper, and modeling clay on hand. Both DH and I have a great time sitting and scribbling with him. If he's doing something with high mess potential, we stick him in his high chair (which is a handy way to keep him occupied when we're cooking).

Very interested in other ideas!

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by jellybeanandkids

My DD is 16 months and loves to color. I think she'd like finger
painting, so I have thought about trying that with chocolate pudding or something, I know she would love that.

Awesome idea! We color with DS often but the crayon/marker/ etc. usually ends up in his mouth!

Thank you!

[starling&diesel]

I think that we started in earnest around 15 months. We go to a family drop in place that always has art stuff set up, so she's been mucking with that ever since she could walk. We got fat crayons and short stubby markers for early use at home.
I wanted to make a suggestion: we use a spiral-bound sketch book for her to use to draw and colour and 'write.' That way, it's all captured in one spot, and if you want to keep it as a keepsake, you can just tuck it away. Also, I've noticed that DD loves to get 'her book' to work in.
Have fun!

[physmom]

DD loves writing/drawing and she started showing interest in it at about 6 months when she'd make a few small scribbles with a crayon. I have a very artsy family (my mom was an art teacher) so I figure it's in the genes. However, she's gone through phases where she wouldn't draw at all and always made me draw for her (with a stream of requests on what I should be drawing). So far what we've used is:

pens/pencils
crayons
dry erase markers
side walk chalk (this has to be my favorite because it doesn't matter if she writes on walls!)
and these crayon/paints: http://www.stabilo.com/pages-com/pro...ody-3-in-1.php (I just can't seem to recommend these enough, DD LOVES them)

We also picked up an art easel when she was about 9 months old from craigslist. She became more interested in it around 12 months I think?

Stuff like finger paints we've avoided like the plague. She FLIPS OUT if her hands our dirty and has a tendency to start flapping/waving them around like crazy and even holding a tantrum, so it just seems like a very dangerous idea! She also can't stand it if she gets even the smallest mark on her hand from a pen or crayon so painting is not something we feel she's ready for yet.

[physmom]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

I wanted to make a suggestion: we use a spiral-bound sketch book for her to use to draw and colour and 'write.' That way, it's all captured in one spot, and if you want to keep it as a keepsake, you can just tuck it away. Also, I've noticed that DD loves to get 'her book' to work in.
Have fun!

That's a fun idea. I wish it would work for us! DD has a tendency to go through all her coloring books or any empty notebook (many times mine and DH's for work!) and make marks on every page that's empty. She seems to feel strongly that pages should NOT be blank!

[crunchy_mommy]

DS enjoyed a little scribbling etc. starting around 9 mos or so but somewhere around 18 mos he became OBSESSED with it... He colors in his coloring books every day, and sometimes we do craft activities at story hours or friends' houses. We don't do paints or markers -- I just can't deal with the mess right now & he's content with other creative activities. He's freaked out by gluesticks (he hates the sticky stuff on his hands!) so I don't think paints would go over well anyway, though he's tried them a couple times. We just recently got him an easel and he loves that, he draws on the chalkboard every time we go into his room. We also draw outside in the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

He prefers to color on something already drawn on rather than blank paper, which is why we do the coloring books (I guess that's a big no-no for some people i.e if you're into Waldorf?) or he asks us to draw pictures that he'll color in. I was so excited yesterday when he drew something himself, he's only done that once or twice, but yesterday he was drawing 'moons' all over the driveway Wow sorry I'm rambling.

If your DS doesn't mind gluesticks, you can cut out shapes and let him glue them down (or find things like leaves etc. for him to glue).

[carmel23]

I highly, highly recommend susan striker's _young at art_ book. I have taught art in various forms to children, and love this book. It seems "strict" to some people, but really it is spot on.

[dakotablue]

How do you keep it out of their mouths?

I so think DS would love to do this, He is obsessed with me writing, but anytime I try to give him anything to try himself its in the mouth.

I was think about painting the bathroom walls, but I can't find a safe medium for his mouth, he's dairy free so pudding wouldn't work...any recommendations?

[Marissamom]

Originally Posted by dakotablue

How do you keep it out of their mouths?

I so think DS would love to do this, He is obsessed with me writing, but anytime I try to give him anything to try himself its in the mouth.

I was think about painting the bathroom walls, but I can't find a safe medium for his mouth, he's dairy free so pudding wouldn't work...any recommendations?

make pudding out or rice or soy milk? texture would be runny, but I don't think that matters as much with paint.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by dakotablue

How do you keep it out of their mouths?

I so think DS would love to do this, He is obsessed with me writing, but anytime I try to give him anything to try himself its in the mouth.

I was think about painting the bathroom walls, but I can't find a safe medium for his mouth, he's dairy free so pudding wouldn't work...any recommendations?

Well DS doesn't put things in his mouth quite that much but I think 'til he gets used to it & has had the chance to 'explore' it he may keep putting it in his mouth... so maybe give him non-toxic crayons or a big chunky retractable pen without the point out? So he can safely test it with his mouth & get it out of his system? Otherwise I'd just give him a couple more months & maybe he'll be more ready.

For dairy-free 'painting', try soy or rice pudding, or maybe guacamole or hummus or sweet potatoes or something? Or jam?

[JordanKX]

Originally Posted by carmel23

I highly, highly recommend susan striker's _young at art_ book. I have taught art in various forms to children, and love this book. It seems "strict" to some people, but really it is spot on.

thanks for the recommendation! I just bought this on amazon :-)

[jellybeanandkids]

Originally Posted by dakotablue

How do you keep it out of their mouths?

I so think DS would love to do this, He is obsessed with me writing, but anytime I try to give him anything to try himself its in the mouth.

I was think about painting the bathroom walls, but I can't find a safe medium for his mouth, he's dairy free so pudding wouldn't work...any recommendations?

DD did put the crayons in her mouth a few times, so I am always right there and keeping an eye on her. She has mostly stopped though, I think she realized they taste pretty bad.

[JordanKX]

Originally Posted by carmel23

I highly, highly recommend susan striker's _young at art_ book. I have taught art in various forms to children, and love this book. It seems "strict" to some people, but really it is spot on.

bought it. got it today. It looks like a great book! Yeah, the introduction is harsh - I feel like she just yelled at me. 10 things to NEVER do. NEVER? yeesh. But... still, a lot of wonderful ideas. Thanks again!