A parent’s guide to early mark making
Writing and literacy is such a huge part of our children’s education. It is a skill
for life that we know will help them to progress whichever path their lives
take, so it’s natural to want to support them to start writing as early as
possible!
So, what can we do as parents to give our children a head start?
Babies and toddlers – Laying the foundations.
Right from our children’s first months we can begin to give them opportunities
to make their own marks.
As soon as babies can sit up in a chair for their
meals, you will notice them using their little fingers to play with any spilt food
or water. This is one of the first ways that babies explore making their own
marks, marvelling at the effect they can have on their world.
To further support your baby you could provide them with a mixture of cornflour, food
colouring and water on a tray to get stuck into. Give them different sized
metal and wooden spoons so that they can practise their grip.
2- to 3-year-olds – Introducing mark-making tools.
As children gain more control over their grasp, we can begin to introduce
tools for mark making.
Egg sized chalks that fit comfortably in their palms,
sponges for printing and large brushes for using with paint are all great.
Provide your child with an easel and large sheet of paper so that they can
make their squiggles standing up and facing forwards, a much better position
than crouched over a table. Children need to gain control of their large
movements before they can begin to master fine motor skills. Another great
idea is to give them a bucket of water and old brushes and rollers so they can
‘paint’ your garden walls and fences- a great activity for a sunny day!
Preparing for school
In the year before your little one begins school it is a good idea to practise
using pencils. Start by using the thick pencils and crayons and join in with
their mark-making as often as possible to model how it’s done. Remember
that learning to write is a long process that will take your child years to
master and praise them for their efforts rather than correcting them. The fine
motor dexterity that it takes to control a pencil only comes with time and
maturity!
When choosing a nursery for your child, ask how they support children’s
writing.
Look for well stocked easels and lots of opportunities for children to
get creative with paints and pencils.