It is More Than Just Coloring and Drawing

Red Crayons, 

Blue Crayons,
Blank Paper,

Drawing, Writing and Reading

Reading and writing are reciprocal.  Reading is the input of symbols, while writing is the output of symbols.  Reading and writing has to be taught, it is an acquired skill.  We are born with the "programming" for language, referring to listening and speaking.  Reading and writing consists of symbols that are not "programmed" into our brains when we are born.  With that said, "How can we as grandparents help our grandchildren learn about reading and writing through coloring and drawing?"

As soon as my grandchildren stopped exploring their world by putting everything into their mouths, the crayons came out of their packages.  I waited for that moment because I did not want to have to say, "No, do not put the crayon in your mouth."  To me that simple two letter word, no,  is a dirty, foul word when it comes to introducing children to reading and writing.

Washable crayons and markers were put into their hands.  Blank paper was put in front of them and the marks began to appear.  Sometimes we sat at the table, other times we sat on the floor.  One time we crawled into a box together and colored.  As we drew or colored, I would tell them, "I like the pink line you drew."  "You are drawing with a blue crayon."  Instead of just saying that is pretty or general type statements, I would try to use specific age appropriate statements.  This helps to teach them colors and adds to their vocabulary development.  In addition, I like to think it is helping to give those lines and  squiggles meaning.  Research I have read stated children as young as two are telling stories through their scribbling on paper.  Putting writing/drawing instruments in those little hands also helps to develop the muscles and dexterity in their hands.  Also you are another step closer in helping your grandchildren to enter that wonderful world of literacy.

My 18 month old grandson wants to draw when he sees his sister and me drawing.  He doesn't want his own drawing pad, but has to use the one I am using with his sister.  Of course, this causes some major problems.  That is when Pop Pop is enlisted to help out.  Again, I do not want to tell him "NO" and discourage him from wanting to hold a crayon or drawing.

My two and a half year old loves drawing.  She is very deliberate in what colors she chooses and the lines she makes on the paper in addition to what looks like scribbling to us.  She is constantly saying to me, "Baka, draw the abc's."  She doesn't mean the whole alphabet.  She wants me to write a, b, c.  She makes the letter o and capital letter B.  She knows that those two symbols have meaning and tells me what they are.

With my oldest  granddaughter (she just turned 5), when we draw together, I talk about what I am drawing.  Presently she likes for us to draw her.  As we draw her together, we talk about her eye color, hair color and lip color.  Then, we discuss the colors of her clothing.  We try to find the crayons that best match her clothing, down to the proper shade.  Through this weekly discussion when we draw together, I am helping her to notice details and to draw those details in her drawings.   Now, when we read a book together, she will tell me that the lady is wearing a blue dress.  We take the time to discuss some of the details in the pictures before or after I read the page.  At this age, I take the cues from her.  It is exciting to see her beginning to notice details in story illustrations.  She is making a reading/writing transference-the details in her drawing and the details in the illustrations in a book.

Drawing is also a way of communicating a story.  Instead of asking, "What is this?" try saying, "Tell me about your story."

The next time your grandchild wants to color or draw break out the plain paper.  Turn it into a lesson of helping them to make meaning from those marks, noting details, and drawing shapes that will help with forming letters.  Encourage them to make circles, triangles, squares and lines or trace them.  All of this will help them on their way to forming letters, writing words and making meaning.



Related articles:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/how-writing-develops

fhttp://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/cellnotes/CELLnotes_v6n1.pdf

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/handwriting.html