Early Pre-K Stages of Coloring/Drawing

     Free coloring is a great educational activity a child should be able to take advantage of as much as possible. All that is needed is plenty of blank paper and crayons, markers, colored pencis, and even regular pencils, and chalk too.

     Coloring is not only great for their fine motor skills to help them as they learn to write, but it works their gross motor skills as they use all their arm muscles for coloring. It helps them with self-expression and creativity. It helps them emotionally as they work out what this world is all about. All of this also in turn will help build their self-confidence which is why putting their art up where they can see that other's find value in their work is so important.

    As a parent I know how hard it can be sometimes to figure out what is going on in a picture my almost 3 yr old happily shows off to me, but knowing the information in the above paragraph as well as what is age appopriate makes it easier to show true excitement when he brings me a page of another scribble picture. Also knowing how coloring is one of his not so favored activities to do makes me appreciate the artwork he does spend a whole lot of time on.

     So, what exactly is "age-appropriate" for a 2-3 year old? Well basically the scribbling stage is still normal to see up until age 3, which is why the work sheets I do use for my youngun is not something I freak out over because he scribbles all over it. For boys, the scribbling stage can actually last for a little bit after they turn 3 mainly because it takes longer for them to have stronger fine motor skills than girls. A lot of times girls pass by the scribble stage and enter into the pre-schematic coloring stage by age 3, but just keep in mind each child is different.
 
      If you want to help them along, without pushing coloring than that is cool too. The best way to help strengthen those fine motor skills when not coloring is through playing with play-dough, or tracing things in shaving cream. Basically anything that makes them flex and use those little finger/hand muscles. I hope after reading this it might help ease your mind about when to expect to see something other than those scribbles. What other ways to you find important about coloring that I forgot to mention here? Drop a comment and let me know.

Scribble stage (6 months-3 yrs)

Pre-schematic stage (2 yrs. - 4 yrs.)