Exactly how big a deal is drawing?

With the sudden boom on computers, tablets, and phones as convenient playtime devices, it seems we’ve lost a little touch of one of the most basic activities that can further develop your little one’s fine motor skills.

Between the age of 12 and 18 months, it’s possible your baby will want to write and draw anywhere he finds, be sure to encourage him to give it a try, directing his attention to an appropriate canvas! There is endless research that suggests drawing, doodling and scribbling play a larger role in child development than we first thought.

What are some of the benefits of drawing? 

• Further develop your little one’s motor skills such as holding and hand-eye coordination, both of which will ultimately help him dominate writing and drawing on a higher level.
• Get those creative juices flowing!
• Even though they’re still young, children need outlets where they can express themselves, drawing is a perfect way to do so.
• They can learn in a visual and easy way differences and similarities in shapes, colors, and sizes.
• Understanding that when pen hits paper a mark is made, your little one gets to experience cause and effect first hand.
• Drawing can serve as a great distraction and has been shown to improve mood.
• Encouraging your child’s creativity has benefits in their ability to solve problems later on.
• When kids feel good while creating something totally new it helps boost their self-confidence and later on, will feel the freedom to experiment and create new ways of thinking or doing something.

There are different ways to encourage your child’s creativity, independence and artistic skills. The following are just of a few of the infinite possibilities:

• Cover your table with kraft paper or any material that can be drawn on and let him take charge of where to paint, what to paint and with what materials.
• Mix it up a little and get sidewalk chalk, finger paint, chunky crayons, glow in the dark pens, water paints or make him feel like a true artist by setting up an easel!
• Get a few pictures of his favorite characters to paint or maybe even a beginners coloring book.

If you want to learn even more about the many benefits of drawing, please visit the following articles:

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/305-learning-to-write-and-draw

https://artfulparent.com/2016/01/the-benefits-of-art-for-kids.html

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https://mydaysonearth.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/benefits-of-drawing-for-children/

https://www.babycenter.com/0_toddler-fine-motor-skills-drawing-and-scribbling_12573.bc

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02699931.2012.720567

Be sure to check out Kinedu for activities that further develop his or her creative abilities!