Coloring

Did you know that using crayons, markers, chalk, and other writing instruments helps a child learn how to write? Making marks is the earliest form of writing development so I try to let the Bug have a chance sometimes though it is tough because everything goes in his mouth...

We experiment with different papers/mediums especially with markers since there is no need for you to apply pressure in order to make a mark. 

The Bug doesn't always leave the paper (or aluminum foil) taped down but that's all part of the process. (Oh yeah, until your child can coordinate holding the paper with one hand while drawing with the other (around age 3) it helps to tape it down!!!)

Note the marker all over his face. They're washable but I don't like that he wants to suck the ink out so markers don't get used a lot...

Crayon cakes are one of my very favorite writing instruments. They are cool shapes and take more pressure then the average crayon making them great for all ages! Once the Bug is old enough for us to have a stash of broken crayons, I'll post a tutorial on crayon cakes but until then you'll just have to check mine out!

These are much easier to lay out for "choices" then round crayons. I did buy some triangular crayons during the back to school craze but I'm not sure where they are...

Chalk! Sorry the pictures are blurry, I forgot I needed to take some until he was finishing...

Drawing with chalk on a chalkboard is a great time filler! Add a paintbrush and cup of water to "erase" their art and toddlers will sit still for longer. Actually the Bug might to- wait no, he'd want to drink the water...

The place where I taught didn't allow pencils (colored or other) in the rooms for kids under 3 so while I am willing to try, there's not any reason to start now!

As your child grows, drawing/writing should be encouraged. Try not to draw too much for them (it can in some cases make children feel that they can't do something) but encourage them to trace letters. We used a cool program called Handwriting Without Tears that used a "wet, dry, try" method. An adult writes the letter on a chalkboard. The child then uses a small sponge (think pincer grip here) to "wet" trace the letter. They then use a small piece of paper towel to "dry" trace the letter and lastly use a piece of chalk to "try" writing the letter themselves! 

Cookie Cutter Stamps

I'm always looking for ways to let the Bug explore art without sucking all of the ink out of markers... Let's just say it isn't always easy and it is rarely clean. I'm all for the mess and I'm fine letting him suck the ink out of the markers but not every mom is so we tried cookie cutter stamping!

The first time we tried it was around the 4th of July so naturally we used red and blue paint and star cookie cutters. The Bug actually enjoyed it but didn't quite get the concept (at 5 and a half months) of stamping. We tried again at 7 months and used fall colors with an apple and leaf cutter!

Note- stamping inside the sensory bin isn't the best idea- he basically ate, dropped, and slid the cookie cutters around.

Oh and stamped his belly and legs...

But he did have fun and explored the apple and leaf cookie cutters!

And then he stamped a bit!!

Because I'm silly and love messes, I just tossed him into the tub after a 5 second attempt to wipe him off!

Never to Early for Art!

Thanks to my years working in a childcare classroom, I am very well versed in the subject of Process versus Product- that is the important part of an art experience is the experience not how the final masterpiece turns out.

The place where I worked frowned upon cut out shapes and limiting children's options a bit too much in my opinion (I opened the art cabinet and let the toddlers pick from far too many colors of paper more than once...) but I absolutely agree that giving children choices, even at a young age, is going to get those creative juices flowing!

The Bug was only 2 months old when he created his first masterpiece! As young babies do not have control of many body parts, we started with feet painting!

The Bug was not sure how to feel about this cold and mushy substance being smeared onto his feet but he played along well!

We used a boppy pillow to prop him up (he had reflux so flat wasn't good), took off his pants and socks, taped paper to an empty diaper box (yes I use these for everything I can! Recycle!!), and put him on a washable blanket. He was unpredictable and there was paint in some strange places...

But he actually seemed to enjoy it and having a surface to "kick" is a wonderful way to develop some core muscles when you refuse tummy time!

Plus, honestly his grandparents were delighted to get these along with their Easter cards! 

Did I let the Bug pick out his own colors, no, he was 2 months old and couldn't focus on things far away from his face but I feel that part of the reason he tolerates crazy new sensory things is because I started him young!

For Father's Day, I had to get a bit more creative. The Bug was now almost 5 months old and had a lot more control of his body. My aunt had been cleaning out her dad's house back at Christmas and brought a bunch of old wooden spools and asked if I wanted them (uh, yes!) so the Bug rolled the spools in paint with some help from me and created canvases for Daddy and Papa! This was the first time I celebrated Father's Day since my own father passed away so it was important to me to make it big!

The Bug made more choices this time though I did end up rolling the spools into paint and putting them on his tray after the first canvas...

We used Crayola paints which are nontoxic but you can also find recipes for edible finger paints around. I'll get around to posting some recipes one day!

Paint isn't a clean activity but the Bug really enjoys it and I enjoy getting to try out some "artsy" photography shots!

Our latest art fun was sensory art! The Bug had an ear infection and cold so I didn't want to be running around (he was napping a lot) but he was also chomping at the bit to do something so...

WE PAINTED!

Each color had a different texture or scent! Red was mixed with bubbles, orange with sand, yellow with lemon extract, green was just paint (got to have a control...), blue was oats, and purple was lavender oil (I was hoping that one would help him wind down...)

The Bug was perfectly willing to check out the paint on the plates but wasn't as interested in creating art so the plates were definitely more painted than the paper.

He ended up covered in paint. He loves baths before bed but in the middle of the day, they cause meltdowns... 

The things I added to the sensory paints were things I had on hand! I've added all sorts of things to paints before- flour, salt, corn syrup, as well as the things pictured above! *Salt can cause some changes in your paint!

Scent painting (like the lemon and lavender) is a great activity too though if you do too many at once, your senses can get overwhelmed! I've used lemon, orange, raspberry, peppermint, and vanilla extracts before- the paintings have a hint of scent but are not overwhelming once dry!