Play! Sing! Talk! Read! Write! Gadsden: April 2015

Yes, Your Toddler Can Write!

Give a toddler crayon and paper and watch her create a masterpiece. It is often thought that young children cannot write until they can read, or at least until they can recognize letters, shapes, colors, etc. This is simply not so! Introducing youngsters to writing is as simple as giving them a space, a writing instrument (e.g. crayon, marker, water based paints), and a canvas. According to PBS Parents, there are a number of activities that can encourage writing as well as assist toddlers in developing the control in their hands needed to write. By allowing older toddlers to draw and “write”, parents and caregivers are helping them recognize that letters and pictures carry meaning.

They suggest

1)    Providing opportunities for your toddler to develop the physical skills needed for writing.
2)    Keeping crayons and other drawing tools in easy reach.
3)    Introducing your toddler to her written first name.
4)    Responding to the intended meaning of your toddler’s marks on paper.

Did you know?

By 18 months, many toddlers are able to hold a marker and scribble on paper.

Do Attempt This at Home

Pasadena Public Library urges toddlers to retell the events of children books using a felt board and cutouts. In the examples below, library goers used Andrew Drew and Drew by Barney Saltzberg and Not A Box by Antoinette Portis to show how parents can duplicate the activity at home.

You can do this at home in three easy steps:

1) Go to the Gadsden County Library and select a book. Here are some suggestions: Green Eggs and Ham & Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss are great choices and fun reads.

2) Next, purchase felt cutouts and or rolls of felt from your area craft store. Or, use paper bag cutouts and glue. Or, use clay and make impressions of various shapes using old cookie cutters or just paper and pencil. Hint: You may have to trace and cut out shapes found in the book that may not be present among those purchased.

3) Finally, read with your child during your daily 15 minutes of reading, roll out the felt or paper, and assist your toddler in placing the cutouts that coincide with the story on the felt/paper.