Thursday 17 December 2015

Why is it wrong to buy a colouring book for your 2- 3 year old…

One of the most common gifts that children get during the early years is a colouring book.  Children can be budding Hussains and Picassos and create drawings based on their fantasy and imagination but that would not impress adults as much as ‘how well you have coloured within the lines!’

So should we stop giving colouring activities to young children? No, we should but we should understand the stage and age in which colouring activities have relevance.

So lets understand the first 4 friends that help children write well, they are called Scribbling, Doodling,  Drawing, And Colouring. Let us meet Mr. Scribbling- ( please don’t look for any gender bias here!) he is a free bird, loves to just move around the paper and let the crayon or colouring pencil take charge. Loops, twirls, straight lines, curves, all excite Mr. Scribbling and make him happy. He is happy because this activity helps the child exercise the wrist and finger muscles and have fun. This activity also helps children explore with the movement of the writing implement without being tied down to ‘fitting into a shape’. Mr. Scribbling also nurtures children free expression and helps them love the feel of the crayon or colouring pencil on paper. Mr. Scribbling is most happy with very young children up to the age of 3 years.

The second friend is Ms. Doodling and her forte is a repeat in forms and shapes. Ms. Doodling makes kids repeat the patterns in their scribbling. Common shapes that now emerge in children’s doodling are rounds and lines, you can see some repeat patterns emerging. Ms. Doodling is also happy that at this stage kids are able to talk about their doodles, though not in too much detail but will be able to name what they have made. But when they begin doodling they have no idea what they are going to doodle, after they doodle they start seeing pictures in their doodles and start talking about them.  Ms. Doodling also is most happy with very young children up to the age of 3 years.
The third friend is Mr. Drawing and he is the master of imagination, thinking, creating. He helps children think and plan what to draw and paint before they begin the drawing. Their drawings now look like representations of the real world. Size and proportion may not be correct and they may end up drawing all over the page. Simple details may be missing from their drawings like fingers or nose or ears. Mr. Drawing does not like restricting children during drawing, he wants kids to have the freedom to draw what they want, how they want and with whatever colour they want. So don’t reprimand or correct children if they draw a red sun or green sea.
The fourth friend is Ms. Colouring and she is actually the first cousin of Mr. Writing, she lays the foundation of form, structure, and focus. She wants children to colour a picture within a form outline given. She says it helps kids control their hand movements to fit within a given area or line and this will help them in future to write the letters within a given area (lines in a sheet). She advices adults to give colouring activities before giving writing to children and to start with smaller, simpler shapes before giving them big shapes and pictures. She says that 3-sided crayons and 3 sided colour pencils are the best implements to use for colouring activities and that magic colouring or colouring with paintbrush is not recommended. We asked her why and she said, paintbrush is to paint a picture, silly, not to colour a picture! Ms. Colouring also says that when children are given colouring activities after having given enough opportunities to scribble, doodle and draw then they are not frustrated and are able to now fall into a controlled colouring activity. But she also warns, that is children are given colouring activities all the time and not given the freedom to express with drawings then it can lead to frustration and children will end up scribbling instead of colouring (naturally as they have not enough experience of scribbling so they will scribble at any given opportunity).
So we asked the 4 friends for their final advice for all adults on when to guide children and when not to, and this is what they had to say-
1.     Mr. Scribbling said ‘Do not guide’- let kids choose when they want to scribble, with what they want to scribble and if they  start scribbling on walls and tables just gently put a paper or slate in front of them and remember they are scribbling for fun not to create master pieces!
2.     Ms. Doodling said ‘Do not guide’- kids love me and now doodle a round and say it is an apple or the sun, they draw a line and say it is my mummy, don’t try to correct them as it is a stage of seeing forms and pictures within different shapes. Just let them doodle.
3.     Mr. Drawing said ‘Do not guide’- fantasy and imagination are with me and so when kids draw don’t correct them or guide them. Let them imagine, let them create, if you allow them to imagine then they will be able to colour.  And if you want to know about their drawings then say, “Tell me about your drawing” instead of saying “What have you drawn?”  
4.     Ms. Colouring said ‘Do guide’ - my stage is important for children to understand how to control their hand movements and limit their lines and scribbles to a given form. If children have enjoyed Mr. Drawing before me then they will be able to colour well, if not then….and if children are able to colour well then they will be able to write within lines. And yes children will need guidance as they colour, guide them gently by saying, ‘the apple does not like it when you colour outside the line’. And here is a secret, if kids are able to eat on their own without spilling from their bowl or plate then they are able to colour well within the picture lines. That is why in the Montessori method self-help skills are given importance before writing skills.
Now that you have met the famous four I hope you will be able to decide when to give activities like drawing and colouring to young children. My next blog is on the other stages of writing…

66 comments:

Unknown said...

Very well explained.
I wish more eyes meet these kind of articles and understanding.
Child needs love, care and protection to feel secured.... they simply need stress free, advice free, instruction free- environment to grow healthy and happy to grasp knowledge and unleash their creativity.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Let's all join hands to create a safe and sane world for babies.

Unknown said...

Very well explained.
I wish more eyes meet these kind of articles and understanding.
Child needs love, care and protection to feel secured.... they simply need stress free, advice free, instruction free- environment to grow healthy and happy to grasp knowledge and unleash their creativity.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Let's all join hands to create a safe and sane world for babies.

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful story which rests the queries of all the parents as to why my child does not colour within lines.
will eagerly wait for the next blog.
It was wonderful knowing the famous four friends of colouring.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mehek Valecha said...

Lovely worth sharing wid the teachers and parents

jayshree shah said...

A fantastic article to know about 4 friends that help children write well, they are called Scribbling, Doodling, Drawing, And Colouring. How important it is for child's writing skill.
we at PJk follow this and because of you we enhance our learning and guide others in right manner.
Thankyou

Unknown said...

So nicely explained! These 4 friends completely take us through a child's journey to Colouring.

Unknown said...

So nicely explained! These 4 friends completely take us through a child's journey to Colouring.

Dr.Shraddha Saglani said...

Very Nice!
My child loves to doodle, scribble and have his own world when given wid his space and crayons bt this article insights his imagination, psychology and creativity of his mind! Loved a lot to read it!
Thanx a lot!

Unknown said...

Wonderful story about the famous four friends of colouring, which further helps learners to develop their writing skills too.This article will resolve the queries of many parents and teachers too.

Unknown said...

Incredible article with the explanation to dear parents and teachers to understand "Why the child Scribble,Doodle,draw and colours in their patterns not as we want".As in Podar Jumbo kids we truly believe in Head-Heart-Hand policy which is really linked to it.Thank You once again Ma'am for sharing this beautiful story.

Anonymous said...

Respected Ma'am,
Greetings!
Thanks for sharing such an Amazing story of The famous 4 Friend who give an insight of why the children need to draw, colour, scribble and doodle as they want....
It develops their motor skills at the same time they experience the freedom of choice.
This article will help to resolve the queries of all the teachers and parents too.


Rashmi said...

Very well explained... In the form of four friends....
This article should be shared with parents as well helping to understand how writing skills can be developed in a creative way.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Ma'am for this beautiful explanation on the very basics of childhood which is important not only for the development but also for learning with freedom at their own pace.

Anonymous said...

Respected Ma'am,
Thank you for sharing the article with us. The story of the first 4 friends helps us understand how can children be given freedom to express themselves. This blog will also help us resolve questions that parents raise in regards to doodling/colouring. We await for the next blog....

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

It's a very informative story about the 4 friends, as it helps children to develop eye-hand co-ordination and their development in all 4 stages. It will also help all of us to solve this query when it comes across us.
Thank you Ma'am for sharing this amazing story.

Anonymous said...

Respected Ma'am,
Greetings!

Thank You for sharing and explaining such complex topic in very simplified way. It will help not only the teachers but also the parents, to chose the correct activity for their child at the right age. It is a ready reckoner for everyone associated with early childhood.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Ma'am for sharing this side of the colouring book concept which has answered almost all parents question "Why is my child not colouring ?" The story clearly differentiates between the terms like doodling, scribbling, drawing and colouring.

Unknown said...

Respected ma'am
A warm Greetings!

Thank you very much for a wonderful story of four friend Doodling,Scribbling, Drawing and Colouring,

It inculcate Concentration, imagination, way of presentation, Observation, Physical and mental development in the child that's our seven areas

Unknown said...

It's a very informative story about the 4 friends, as it helps children to develop eye-hand co-ordination and their development in all 4 stages. It will also help all of us to solve this query when it comes across us.
Thank you Ma'am for sharing this amazing story.

Unknown said...

Respected Ma`am,
It is an informative article so well explained with the story of 4 friends :scribbling,doodling,drawing & colouring.I read this activity with my teachers.It helps us understand how children develop the writingskills step by step.
Ma`am waiting eagerly for the next article.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Respected mam thank you so much to make us understand the stages for coloring as per age. Will carry the message throughout my path to guide and motivate the little kids of our society thank you mam. Supervisor sivapriya Karnataka

Unknown said...

Thank you ma'am,for sharing such a wonderful article with us . A very informative story about 4 friends. This article will helps us to understand how can children be given freedom to express themselves & how help are their four friends to them.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this information of 4 friends with us. Also in the pre-primary, giving personal attention and guidance at each stage is also important and crucial.At each level what is applicable according to the child's age to express and what is the teacher's role and responsibility matters a lot.So this article of your's has given indepth knowledge of 4 friend s and how to use them in class with our children.

Ms. Sona,Ms. Seema,Ms. Shilpa & Ms. Vidhya
PJK,Bhosari

Unknown said...

Excellent article Ma'am. Also very nicely presented. Enjoyed reading it. Parents & teachers will be benefited by reading this.

Unknown said...

Respected mam,it's really a nice article,it will help us to know that how the four friends are useful for children.It will lead the children towards the world of imagination,creativity & emotions.... Thanks a lot mam.

Charu said...

Thank you Ma'am for sharing a wonderful blog with us.This article clearly explain the creative web of child which we must understand. I think 90% of people were not aware about this fact. It is very important for child to have a free environment to bring creativity on paper with the help of four friends. scribbling, doodling, drawing - these three friends will make child to become confident and independent whereas fourth friend 'colouring' guide child to develop self-control with the guidance of adults. so, let us not pressure on children to become colouring expert in three years of age.
Charu Gupta
Podar Jumbo Kids,
Wagholi

Unknown said...

Its a wonderful article and an informative story of four friends. Let the kids scribble, doodle, draw and colour, so that they can develop self control. This will open a new world of imagination and creativity. Thank you mam for sharing the blog and also understanding a new information which is very important for the mental health of children. Meera Sajish Podar Jumbo Kids, Wagoli

Unknown said...

Its a wonderful article and an informative story of four friends. Let the kids scribble, doodle, draw and colour, so that they can develop self control. This will open a new world of imagination and creativity. Thank you mam for sharing the blog and also understanding a new information which is very important for the mental health of children. Meera Sajish Podar Jumbo Kids, Wagoli

Unknown said...

Its a wonderful article and an informative story of four friends. Let the kids scribble, doodle, draw and colour, so that they can develop self control. This will open a new world of imagination and creativity. Thank you mam for sharing the blog and also understanding a new information which is very important for the mental health of children. Meera Sajish Podar Jumbo Kids, Wagoli

Unknown said...

Its a wonderful article and an informative story of four friends. Let the kids scribble, doodle, draw and colour, so that they can develop self control. This will open a new world of imagination and creativity. Thank you mam for sharing the blog and also understanding a new information which is very important for the mental health of children. Meera Sajish Podar Jumbo Kids, Wagoli

Unknown said...

Thank you madam for sharing this informative blog with us.Its a great story of four friends. Scribbling, doodling,drawing and colouring are the best way for children's creativity and innovation. This will help the children in their growth. Thank you once again madam. Gayatri Devi,main teacher, Podar Jumbo Kids,Wagholi.

Unknown said...

Thank you madam for sharing this informative blog with us.Its a great story of four friends. Scribbling, doodling,drawing and colouring are the best way for children's creativity and innovation. This will help the children in their growth. Thank you once again madam. Gayatri Devi,main teacher, Podar Jumbo Kids,Wagholi.

Jumbo Kids, Chakan said...

A very informative article for parents and teachers shared by you ma'am. The story of first 4 friends shared in the article will help our parents and teachers understand, how children can be given freedom to express themselves.

Sunitha said...

Most of us would be unaware of this aspect of coloring. Very well explained.
Sunitha Jadhav
PJK,Nashik

Unknown said...

Thankyou Mam for sharing such an informative blog post about child development and innovation which child develops in the initial years.
This article will help our parents and teachers to understand how children can express themselves with help of their all time favourite four friends.

Thankyou,
Shubhi Chhabra,
Podar Jumbo Kids,Wagholi

Unknown said...

Thanks maam for very informative massage on Christmas it going to help many parents and teachers

Unknown said...

Fantabulous article presented in a superb manner. The information in the form of story makes it more interesting.
Thank you ma'am for sharing the secret ,I am really surprised to know this. It will be very helpful as a teacher.
Ms.Rubina Khan
PJK Nasik

Unknown said...

Scribling, doodling, drawing and then painting...wonderfully synchronized ...a very informative blog to all people involved in early childhood...as many of us as parents do not know the significance of the various phases of learning in children...before they actually start to write...

Unknown said...

Its just amazing to see the science behind coloring. I think most of us would be unaware of this aspect of coloring. Instead of posing rules on children, we should give wings to their imagination
Thank You Maa'm.

Mrunalini Shinde.
PJK,Nashik

Unknown said...

Its really a fantastic article.How children can be given freedom to express themselves is the best part that we learn from the story.
Thanks maam.

Unknown said...

Its really a fantastic article.How children can be given freedom to express themselves is the best part that we learn from the story.
Thanks maam
Ashwini mungi
PJK Nashik.

Unknown said...

Thank you Ma’am for sharing this important article. Four stages which will help in developing writing skills are explained well with reasoning will really be helpful.

Unknown said...

Wonderful article presented in such a superb manner which will help everyone to think twice before emphasizing kids on writing...Thank you so much ma'am for giving proper guidelines which will help both parents and teachers.....and even kids to enjoy the liberty of expressing themselves

Unknown said...

Wonderful article presented in such a superb manner which will help everyone to think twice before emphasizing kids on writing...Thank you so much ma'am for giving proper guidelines which will help both parents and teachers.....and even kids to enjoy the liberty of expressing themselves

Sunita Sharma
PJK - Nashik

Unknown said...

Thank you Ma'am for posting such an informative article. I shall definitely take the help of these four friends while teaching my class. It is very useful for parents too since all parents wish that their children should be able to colour neatly. Children need to be given a good amount of leeway in such activities.

Mrs. Rashmi Gawde.
Podar Jumbo Kids,
Nashik.

Unknown said...

Thank you Ma'am for sharing such an article which made us think that a simple activity could impact the thinking and behavior of a child so much. The four friends like Scribbling, doodling,drawing and colouring will bring out the best creative and innovative idea from the child.
Mrs. Jayanthi Subramanian
Podar Jumbo Kids,
Nashik.

Sejal Dave said...

Children are free to create new things - pictures, designs, ways to do things. They paint, cut, sew, draw, build, twist, and write. Drawing, painting, and music encourage self-expression.
Thank you mam for sharing such a lovely story of four friends. It will also help us to decide when to give activities like drawing and colouring to young children.
Waiting for the next blogs on stages of writing.
Sejal Dave
PJK Baramati

Unknown said...

Thanku maam for this posting this informative article.Children surely have a 100 ways of expressing themselves and we should be patient and encourage them to show their creativity in all ways.
Sejal Pandya
PJK Nashik.

Unknown said...

Wonderful article which emphasises that how a child should be given freedom of expession and movement through scribbling, doodling, drawing and then colouring within the lines which will finally help children to write in given lines.
Thank you Maam.,
Ms Sakina,
PJK, Nashik.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful way to explain the importance of scribbling,doodling,drawing and colouring. Very well said mam that all the 4 activities have their own importance and children should be given freedom to express themselves without expecting perfection.

Unknown said...

The freedom of expression and movement which is given to the children is very important as they become independent in expressing themselves . But it is at the same time very important to fix up the boundaries or limitations in expressing while colouring .This article clearly mentions why the child should colour within boundaries .Thank You Mam for another informative article.

shaheen said...

Little kids are masters of the moment -- they love the way it feels when they color . allowing kids to enjoy the process of creation -- can reap big rewards. "Children will be better off in the long run if they're allowed just to be in the moment and express themselves,"  This article will definitely help all of us to bring happiness to our children in true sense
Shaheen
PJK Nashik

Unknown said...

A valuable informative article...the article cleared many doubts and reveals how the simple things for us makes a lot for the children.My concepts on where to guide and where to give them freedom is also cleared. Thank You Maám..

RAJALAKSHMI S
PJK, NASIK.

Unknown said...

Thank you ma'am for sharing such an article.Through this article we understood the importance of 4 friends.These friends will allow a child to express their imagination, they wil learn to b more creative.
Shahnaaz Shaikh
PJK(NASHIK)

Unknown said...

A very interesting informative article with a story in a wonderful way to explain the importance of scribbling,doodling,drawing and colouring. The freedom of expression and movement which is given to the children is very important as they become independent in expressing themselves. Thank you ma'am for always sharing such articles.

Unknown said...

Thank you ma'am for wonderful story to understand the first 4 friends that help children write well. It will help all adults to decide when to give activities like drawing and colouring to young children.

Unknown said...

Very informative article on 4 friends scribbling,doodling,drawing and colouring.Its important for parents and teachers to understand the importance of these 4 friends and how they help in writing. Thank you Ma'am for the wonderful article.

Uma Nagdeo said...

Thank you ma'am for a such a wonderful and informative article will surely help all adults to understand the importance of scribbling, doodling,drawing and colouring and when to give which activities.

Anonymous said...

Very informative article presented in such a simple story.This gives an insight of age appropriate coloring stages child goes through.

Unknown said...

Thank you. Very insightful. I am glad I allowed my kids to scribble, doodle, Draw and color as they wished.

Unknown said...

Ms. Kalpita Bhirud teacher at PJK Plus VileParle thank you ma'am for sharing this beautiful article. It is very important for every child to get freedom to explore and build their imagination and these 4 friends are the first step for good writing stills and better self control.