1. Break Crayons - We expect younger kiddos will start drawing by holding markers or crayon in their fist and using their whole arms to create colorful works of art. As children are preparing for kindergarten though, their control over the small muscles in their hands should increase. When this happens they should start to show a more mature grasp on their pencil, like a tripod grasp. Developing this grasp can be prodded along by offering short crayons or breaking off the tips of crayons to offer inch long pieces. That way they can make their masterpieces without holding the crayons in their fist!
2. Crafts using Cotton Swabs - Cotton swabs, or Q-tips, are great mini paint brushes! Like short crayons, it is difficult to hold these with a fist, so it promote a 'tripod' grasp. This is where their palm is facing down towards the paper while holding the cotton swab with their first two fingers and their thumb. With cotton swabs you can use paint or just dip it in water to make dot patterns on construction paper for times when you need less mess clean up!
3. Draw in your Play-Doh - Play-doh in general is excellent for strengthening little hand muscles while letting creativity run wild! While playing, you can take moments to encourage your child to squish some play-doh and use it as a canvas for drawing. When you provide shorter objects like toothpicks, short twigs, paper clips or penne pasta to be their 'pen' you are setting up the environment so they are more likely to hold writing utensils in a more developmentally appropriate way.
Drawing and writing are big parts of our lives, and fun ways to express yourself too! What is your kiddo's favorite thing to draw?