9am Wonder Arts: Chalk Pastels, Mouse Paint Finger painting, clay

How can we encourage scribbling?

Often a toddler's first scribbles start by pounding something like a crayon on piece of paper. The toddler is empowered and encouraged by hearing the sounds of the pounding. Since the crayon is apt to make marks, the child visually discovers cause and effect. This leads to more auditory pounding, more visual marks, and more discoveries.

I never draw pictures for toddlers because adult drawings often discourage them from scribbling or drawing. These adult visual examples are too difficult. However, I find that when I pound a crayon on paper, they love to imitate me. Our crayon pounding is a kind of back and forth chatter or game as we take turns with our crayons making rhythmic sounds. This may be a way to start a child scribbling at a younger age.

We encourage scribbling by providing a place and materials, by acknowledging the work, and by discussing the work in a nonjudgmental ways. In the child's mind scribbling is not meant to be artwork in the sense that we think of artwork. Scribbling for a child is more about action than about creating a product. It is process. It is activity. I never ask, "What is it?" I might say, "Wow, this looks like you are having fun. Your crayon is really going fast." As the child gets closer to the stage of image making, I might , say, "This part looks neat, can you tell me about it?"

As children become verbal and are able describe their work, their minds are learning to think in imaginary and abstract ways. It is our ability to imagine that makes us human. It makes us care. It makes it possible for us to take responsibility.

For the rest of our lives it is our imaginations that allow us to predict the consequences of scribbling on walls and every other expressive act (thoughtless or considerate). Our imaginations help us avoid thoughtless acts that bring sadness from those we care about. Our imaginations allow us to be creative, to solve everyday problems, and to make the world a better more joyous place for ourselves and those we care about.

You can see more of this article at: http://www.bartelart.com/arted/wallscribblers.html

The Gift of Time

A very important lesson I have learned through working with children and especially teaching at the Shorecrest Early Childhood center is that Time is the ultimate gift you can give your child. Time to warm up to new situations... time to observe others... time to play uninterrupted... time to learn who he/she is... time to be a child...

Childhood goes by so fast, why do we want to "hurry" our children along so much? I myself am guilty often of "hurrying" my daughter. It's very hard sometimes to appreciate childhood for all it's glory. It's easy for me to give advice to others but very hard to apply it to myself.

As a mother I have a whole new respect for Time. It's hard to not think about when she's older, she'll do this or that. I must constantly remind myself to just enjoy the moments we have now. Early childhood is the time for exploration, observation, wonder, using the 5 senses. Soon enough they will be older, sitting at a desk, memorizing facts, etc...

If we give them time... they will show us what they are ready for. We just have to sometimes wait. Understanding (not patience) is the path on which we are all on!