Does scribbling make sense?
Scribbles may not make sense to adults but these lines and loops and sniggles are meaningful to a young child.
Why is scribbling so important for young children?
- Scribbling and drawing are the first steps in learning to write for a preschooler.
- They are a child’s creative way of penning his/her thoughts.
- Children use this very skill in their later stage of writing, from as early as kindergarten or nursery or much later in life when they need a penchant for writing.
- It’s a good way to release their emotions.
- Scribbling allows pre-schoolers to write to feel independent, as they are usually told what ‘not to do’ and this activity sets them free to follow their whims and fancies fully.
- Experiences in early childhood are ways of approaching life. And all that which is learnt through creativity gives positive brain reinforcement.
Encourage scribbling and drawing
- Set out lots of paper, pencils, crayons, and markers so children can draw or scribble whenever they want.
- Give away plane sheets which allow them free style drawing. Let them put their own thoughts into the scribbles.
- Encourage making miss you, love you cards for friends and family so the kid gets to leave his impression with those vague scribbles.
- Ask the child to explain what is written when he comes to show you his drawing.
- Make drawing and scribbling important by clipping it to the walls.
- Do not give negative comments as this may discourage your toddler from showing his/her drawing again.