Dear Anonymous Mom
I agree that is fantastic to give our kids the things that we never had - but not everything we have is good for them at an early age. Technology is wonderful, and kids love computers, tv games, and movies, but letting them have too much, or too early in their lives will preclude the learning of other, more vital, life skills.
I feel the same way about letting kids read and write before they are ready. There are a few baby geniuses out there, but most of our kids need to develop and grow their gross and fine motor skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
Let them experiment with crayons and paper with no pressure, as a small part of a larger exposure to all sorts of developmentally appropriate activities - like finger painting, playdough, sand play, water play, building blocks, scissor cutting, construction toys, dolls, and so on. Let them master the drawing of simple shapes before moving onto letters and numbers.
These things all develop the brain as a whole instead of letting writing/reading skills develop at the expense of other, vital, skills.
Thanks for posting!
FAQs
Kids usually develop this grasp between the ages of 4 and 6.
What age can a child hold a crayon? ›
One Year: Holding a Crayon
Around 12 months, your baby may start holding a crayon using the whole hand or fist. They may also switch hands and even hold crayons in each hand while trying to color. At this stage, many caregivers avoid giving babies crayons because they are likely to put them in their mouths.
At what age are crayons appropriate? ›
Break out those chunky crayons around the 1-year mark. Most toddlers are ready to start coloring and scribbling between 12 and 15 months, but like all things child-related, learning to draw is a process that happens in phases.
What is the right age for a child to start writing? ›
By ages four to five, children will start writing letters.
One of the easiest ways children learn how to write letters is to begin tracing them. Additionally, teaching your child how to write his/her name is an important step that will ultimately help them become familiar with writing the rest of the alphabet.
When should a child start writing with pencil? ›
When Should You Introduce Pens and Pencils? Children may not be able to grip a regular pen perfectly till they are around 4-5 years old. But introducing them to writing tools at an early age has many advantages.
How should 2 year old hold crayon? ›
From 2 to 3 years old, toddlers develop more control over their arm muscles. They start to hold crayons or pencil and lay it across their palm with a still closed fist. It results in their arm being slightly bent on the side (sometimes awkwardly raised a bit) and their thumb pointing downward.
Is it normal for 4 year olds not to write? ›
We expect children who are ages 4-6 to color and to learn to write their letters, but sometimes they aren't mature enough to do these things, yet. This is especially true for boys who can lag behind in this area.
How should an 18 month old hold a crayon? ›
Most toddlers start with what's called a “palmar supinate grasp,” which means they hold their crayon with their entire hand, pinky pointing down toward the paper. They'll put things in their mouth. Coloring at this age is likely to involve a lot of mouthing, so be sure to closely supervise your child while they draw.
Do 2nd graders use crayons? ›
At the second grade level, children apply artistic processes and skills, using a variety of media to communicate meaning and intent in a original works of arts. The will demonstrate beginning skill in the use of basic tools and art-making processes, such as printing, crayon rubbings, collage, and stencils.
What should a 5 year old be able to write? ›
Between 5-6 years your child may:
Be able to draw more recognisable pictures such as houses, cars, flowers and people. Be able to write one or two letters in their name and recognise and sing along to the alphabet song. Start to exclude other children during play as regular friendships begin to form.
Common Spelling Expectations for 7-Year-Olds
By the age of seven, children should be able to spell a wide range of high-frequency words, including: Sight words: These are words that are frequently encountered and are typically memorized rather than sounded out. Examples include "the," "a," "and," "you," and "I."
What is the transition from pencil to pen? ›
The transition from pencils to pens is seen as a momentous occasion, accompanied by awards and celebrations. It not only signifies the ability to write with precision, but also serves as a symbol of growing maturity, intelligence, and skill.
Why can't my 4 year old hold a pencil? ›
Fine motor weakness, in particular weak finger muscles, often results in an awkward grip. When the finger muscles are underdeveloped, it leads to a lack of coordination. You will see kids try to hold the pencil any way they can in order to stabilize it.
Does it matter how my child holds a pencil? ›
Most children develop a pencil hold that is comfortable for them. The type of pencil grip your child uses is only a problem if it is making writing difficult to read, is not at a reasonable speed or makes their hand sore or tired.
Can 2 year olds have crayons? ›
Consider your child's age
A thick crayon is a much better choice for a 2 to 3 year old because it will help their hands grasp around the crayon and increase the chance that they will see results from their scribbles.
Can a 1 year old use crayons? ›
Crayons for one-year-olds are usually larger (about double the diameter of standard crayons) and often referred to as jumbo crayons. Between 12 and 18 months old children are just starting to hold smaller items and may not have the strength or dexterity for smaller crayons, Ferri says.
Are Crayola crayons safe for 1 year old? ›
Some children are ready to use art products at a very early age, while others may not show an interest until later. Crayola offers a range of art supplies and creative activities designed specifically for children ages 12 – 36 months.
