The drawing area-What can I draw on?

The drawing area-What can I draw on?

Children visit the drawing area daily. Unfortunately, we often pay little attention to this activity corner and it ends up being messy and unattractive. Here are a few ideas that may help you make this area more appealing for little ones.

Of course, white paper plays an important role in your drawing area. However, there are many other types of paper and different items children can use for drawing and creating masterpieces. This text represents a non-exhaustive list of mediums that can be used to offer a bit of variety in your drawing area.

Changing the contents of your drawing area will attract children who are less interested in this activity by stimulating their curiosity. They may even spend a little more time in this area than usual because they will want to explore the new material.

White paper

White paper can be used with all types of crayons. They offer children a multitude of creative possibilities. Furthermore, they are easy to find and are often inexpensive.

Variations:

• Offer different paper formats (11x14, 11x17) or sheets of paper cut into tiny squares or strips. Children will enjoy exploring different sizes of paper and discover the advantages and disadvantages of different physical limits.

Multicoloured paper

Like white paper, multicoloured paper provides children with a multitude of creative possibilities. Offering different colors provides children with the opportunity to make simple choices.

Variations:

• Offer colors according to the theme you are exploring: pastel colors for Easter, pink paper for Valentine's Day, bright colors for summer, etc.
  
  
• Have fun offering different paper formats (11x14, 11x17) or sheets of paper cut into tiny squares or strips. Children will enjoy exploring different sizes of paper and discover the advantages and disadvantages of different physical limits.

Traditional coloring pages

Some think that they limit children's creativity. I think it's all just a matter of finding the right balance. Children love coloring pages and they make it possible for early childhood educators to present items related to various themes.

Advantages:

• Coloring pages help children mentally represent an image or item. These "mental images" may help them reproduce these items on their own in the future.
  
  
• Coloring helps children develop hand-eye coordination as they make an effort to stay within the lines.
  
  
• Children explore color schemes and color combinations as they choose the colors they wish to use to color a page.
  
  
• Children who find drawing challenging can use coloring pages to experience success. It is therefore good for their self-esteem.
  
  
• Coloring also offers a social aspect that mustn't be neglected. We have all witnessed two children who select the same drawing and sit side by side to complete their picture using the same colors and the same way. Of course, this does not develop their creativity, but it is an activity that offers great moral and social opportunities.

Disadvantages:

• Coloring pages impose a model that can block children's creativity.
  
  
• Coloring pages and books can be quite expensive if you do not have access to a photocopier and must use a laser printer.
  
  
• Coloring pages are not environmentally friendly since it is more difficult to make use of scrap paper.

Visit the educatall club for a wide range of original coloring pages in each theme.

Creative coloring pages

These coloring pages encourage children to complete pictures by drawing missing items. They are less restrictive than traditional coloring pages since they call upon children's imagination.

Visit the educatall club to find exclusive creative coloring pages in each theme.

Scraps of paper and cardboard

Collect scrap pieces of paper or cardboard when you complete crafts and leave them in your drawing area. Children will love drawing on these "special" papers and the different shapes and sizes will spark their creativity.

Dark paper

By drawing on dark paper with light colors, children will explore contrasts or realize that dark colors are not visible. Gel crayons are an excellent option for use on dark paper.

Stationery

Children love drawing on special paper. Stationery is often inexpensive and therefore, accessible. Plus, stationery can be found for every theme or special occasion. Visit the educatall club for exclusive printable stationery in each theme.

Other suggestions:

• In autumn, bring leaves indoors. Let children draw on them or use them as stencils. Pieces of bark (especially birch bark) can also represent interesting mediums.
  
  
• Provide square pieces of fine sandpaper and let children draw on them with wooden pencils or waxed crayons.
  
  
• Provide squares of white fabric and let children draw on them using regular markers or fabric markers.
  
  
• Let children draw on a patio door or window with special window markers. Regular washable markers can also produce interesting results.
  
  
• Take your drawing area outside! Your yard becomes a giant canvas. Children love to draw with sidewalk chalk. Sidewalk chalk can also be used on ice or packed snow during winter months. You will be surprised by the results!
  
  
• Add stickers to your drawing area. Children will love to stick them on their drawings. They are sure to appreciate this little extra.
  
  
• Hang a large white paper banner on a wall in your drawing area. Encourage children to work together to produce one giant drawing.
  
  
• Offer paper doilies or paper placemats.
  
  
• Provide pieces of wood and let children draw on them using chalk or markers.
  
  
• Add cardboard boxes to your drawing area. Children will enjoy drawing on three-dimensional shapes.

Think outside of the box and try a variety of different items to spark children's interest in your drawing area throughout the year.

Caroline Allard

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