When to Introduce Marker Drawing to Your Kids

Introducing your children to art at a young age is not only a great way to help develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, but it also gives you something fun to do with them during their free time.

Since young kids are all about tactile learning, there are high chances that everything you give them will end up in their mouths. This is why it is important to know at which age it is appropriate to introduce them to marker drawing.

Some marker pens may contain toxic ink and can be dangerous when they insert them into their mouths. It is advisable that when introducing your kids to marker drawing, you start by investing in eco-friendly and non-toxic art materials.

Children undergo four stages of writing and drawing that you’ll be able to observe as your child grows from 15 months up to three years old. When you keep offering them repeated fun experiences using a variety of writing and art materials, you’ll witness positive progress over time.

The following are the stages that your kids will undergo as they develop the writing and drawing skills.

Stage 1: 15 months to two and a half years - Random Scribbling

This is the 1st stage which the kids are beginning to figure out that when they move a drawing material on a surface, it will produce the scribbles and the lines they see on the surface.

The movements usually occur in their shoulders with the drawing material held in their fist.

At this age, whatever they use to draw and whatever results from it doesn’t have any meaning or value to them. It would, therefore, make no sense to introduce them to marker drawing as they will mess things around.

Unless you are willing to follow them all the time and clean the mess. If you have to introduce them to marker drawing at this stage, you need to use non-toxic washable markers.

Stage 2: Two years to three years - Controlled Scribbling

At this stage, the kids have developed better muscle control in their fingers and hands. The movements that cause their scribbles will then come from their hands and fingers and not their shoulders.

They will be able to hold drawing items better and may have the ability to produce repeated marks comprising vertical, horizontal, curved, or diagonal lines and even open circles. Just like the above stage, you can give them some markers to use but they will need your close supervision.

Stage 3: Two and a half years to three and a half years - Lines and Patterns

At this stage, your kids will be able to understand that writing results from repeated patterns, curves, and lines. Even though they will not be able to write individual letters, you’ll be able to pick up some components of letters in their artwork. These may include curves, dots, and lines.

This is an exciting stage as the kids realize that their drawings convey some meaning. Depending on their level of development, some kids may begin to learn safety measures at this stage.

If your kids have developed psychomotor skills at this level, you can introduce them to marker drawing. If not, you have to wait until the next stage.

Stage 4: Three years to five years - Pictures of People or Objects

This is the right stage to introduce your kids to marker drawing. At this stage, they will have the ability to hold an image in their minds and then represent it on a surface. They will also be able to come up with identifiable images of objects, animals, or people they are familiar with.

At this stage, they will start appreciating artistic skills such as shading, texturing, etc, and they’ll be able to use markers to apply these skills. They will also understand and appreciate the value of coloring in art, and there is no better way of letting them practice coloring than supplying them with markers of different colors.

Final words

Art is a bridge to learning. Encouraging your kids to draw will make them develop other important skills that will help them in their future lives. Art makes them curious and creative and this will enable them to come up with answers to problems they encounter in life.

When you set out to help your kids develop their artistic skills, ensure you supply them with high-quality and safe art supplies. Also, teach them how to use these materials and how to keep them safely after use. Want to know more batter drawing, visit us.