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Why Coloring Books Are Evil
Monday, May 16, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
As a kid, I LOVED coloring books. Come to think about it, as an adult, I LOVE coloring books.
The smell of a new box of crayons, seeing those bright colors wave across the page, it seems almost therapeutic. For me, that is.
So, why the title? Well, this blog is about our kiddos, of course!
Although we all may be tempted (I am!) to grab a coloring book containing one of the fantasy friends our kiddos love most (DORA!), the truth of the matter is that before our kiddos are age 4 years or more, coloring books really are evil.
Why?
Our tiny tots are rapidly developing fine (small) motor skills. The development of fine motor skills allows our children to grasp objects, eat, scribble, and eventually do complicated tasks like fastening buttons.
As with everything in development, it’s a process that doesn’t just happen overnight (though sometimes it sure feels like it does!).
Therefore, plunking down a book filled with pictures and expecting our little ones to stay in the lines is simply not fair.
When giving a toddler a coloring book, it is fair for them to scribble all over it, rip out pages, and even chew on it! These things may simply be part of typical development. Unfortunately, adults and other caregivers do not generally look upon these behaviors favorably.
Looking for ways to inspire creativity in your little one? Try these things instead:
- Provide various colors, textures, and sizes of blank paper for your child to explore.
- Provide multiple mediums for your child to use (with supervision, of course!): chunky crayons, washable (and non-toxic) markers, paints, and chalks.
- Rejoice in the PROCESS of exploring art materials rather than the PRODUCT produced by your child (in other words, delight in a paper full of scribbles!).
As for the coloring books, DO pass on them for your infant or toddler. However, if you are looking for a creative outlet, they may be a perfect fit for YOU. Enjoy!
