Don't start with crayons

 My experience as an art teacher and mom is to have a child start with MARKERS.  Why not crayons?  Most people think you are suppose to start with crayon AND that their child is just not interested in drawing.  That is far from true.  The wax in crayons prevent them from gliding smoothly and the mark made is not as distinct.   The child loses interest after the first couple marks.

MARKERS however GLIDE AND MAKE DARKER MARKS!  

The minute a child can grip something and control their movement is the moment they can create.  This can happen as early as seven months to a year old!

The next best thing to use is OIL PASTELS.  Oil pastels can get a bad rap for being messy, the oil and pigment can make small fingers smudged quickly.  But the oil also helps the pastel GLIDE and MAKE DARK MARKS!

You will be amazed at how fun it is to watch your child's eyes light up when they see that their small hands are creating marks.  You will be surprised at just how much they naturally LOVE to create when creating is made easier.  

So, put the crayons up until they are a little older and buy some washable markers and a small set of oil pastels!

HERE GOES...

 

I don't know why my perfect day consists of kids, paint, and messy hands.  I don't get a lot of things, but I do get art and kids.  I would love to help moms, dads, and teachers get over their fears of not being"the creative type" and get their hands dirty while making memories with their kids.  There is nothing quite like a child looking at a blank paper and realizing what their small hands can create.