When Can Toddlers Start Coloring?

The scribbled pictures that toddlers create are treasures that parents and grandparents enjoy displaying on the refrigerator and then perhaps packing away to keep forever. If your toddler is physically able to hold a crayon, marker or colored pencil in her hand, then she's old enough to put those supplies to good use and create a masterpiece.

  1. Appropriate Age and Development

    • By the time your toddler turns 2, he's probably able to hold a crayon, marker or colored pencil, which means he's also ready to try his hand at "drawing" you a picture. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, his grasp on the coloring utensil is likely to be awkward and clumsy to start, but this early practice with coloring improves his motor skills so he'll be able to draw circles and lines in the months to come.

    How to Start

    • As soon as your toddler can hold a crayon and shows interest in art activity, give him the tools he needs and let him be creative. You might consider buying large, thick crayons, which can help your toddler get the hang of holding a crayon. These type of crayons are available at retail and art stores, but they tend to come in just a few colors. As your toddler gets used to coloring, you can introduce the smaller, traditional version of crayons that also come in a range of interesting colors. You might also introduce markers and colored pencils as your toddler grasps the concept, just for a little variety and a new experience for her.

    Art Ideas

    • Of course, coloring on paper is one of the simplest ways to encourage your toddler to be creative, but it's not the only one. Hang a large piece of butcher paper on your wall and let your little one scribble a mural with crayons or markers. Buy a few coloring books from a dollar store so your child has actual pictures to color, though she won't be able to stay in the lines just yet. You might also print coloring pages that you find on the Internet. Offer your toddler colored paper and coloring utensils in a contrasting color as another way to encourage his creativity. While your child colors, you can give him a quick lesson in color identification.

    Additional Tips and Considerations

    • If you find that your toddler isn't yet able to hold a crayon, put the art supplies away for a week or two and then try again. All toddlers develop at different rates, and just because your sister's or friend's child the same age is coloring doesn't mean that your toddler is behind developmentally. When your little one is ready, consider markers. They are vividly colored and are enjoyable to draw with, but make sure to only give your toddler washable markers because he's bound to get some ink on his skin and clothes. Keep all coloring supplies out of your toddler's reach when he's not using them so that you don't end up with unwanted scribbles on your furniture and walls.

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