To ask how much writing and drawing your 4 year-old does/did?

[MrsSpoonInBlanketSky]

DS just turned 4 last month. He has never shown any interest in drawing, let alone writing. I’ve always made a good selection of materials for these activities available to him but he has rarely chosen to use them independently. I’ve just been trying to encourage him this afternoon to scribble something for Father’s Day tomorrow, yet he was done after two minutes. It’s always been like this.

His nursery are very chilled and have always just said not to worry and that it will come when he is ready. They don’t have any concerns about him. Yet I see others his age sit and colour in pictures neatly for quite long periods and, with school looming in September, I’m now wondering if I ought to be doing more to address this.

What was your child(ren) like at this age and was there a point where it ‘just came’? Or did they need some encouragement/pressure and it would have been better to start this sooner rather than later?

At just turned 4 assuming he can make a face with eyes and mouth and has a go at the first letter from his name, and labels his scribbles orally I would be chilled.

I have twins aged 4, school September.

A can write their 7 letter name independently. B still reminding of the letters and we get some muddled (babbu instead of daddy). A colours correct colours neatly. B colours whatever colours he wants and not inside the lines. Both can draw a figure identifiable as a humanoid, although A will be more detailed. Both will happily sit with pens and paper to draw, but A will do it for longer. A will do the tasks given at nursery, B would rather be outside building or running.

Nursery is happy both are ready for reception and are age appropriate.

One of my DC loved colouring etc at 4 while the other at 4 was never really bothered but it didn’t cause any issues when they started school and writing etc

DS1 hated all form of mark making, never did it at home despite copious opportunities, even with his beloved cousins who love all craft things he doesn't join in. He's now in reception and remains uninterested. However, he does it at school when he's required to. His letter formation certainly isn't as good as many, but he's getting there. I've raised it with the school at parents evening and the teachers have said not to push it, that at his age and with his personality it's more likely to make him resistant.

I worked with this age group for many years. There is a huge difference in ability and interest as far as writing/drawing goes.
Do not worry about his lack of interest. The nursery is completely right not to see this as an issue. Education at this age should be largely self chosen activities. You can encourage through interests, but don’t force it. In my experience this is very common, particularly in boys.

No to the first two. It’s not that he’s not actually capable (at least I don’t think so and very much hope not). He’s just never wanted to do it.

They’re both ahead of mine. He’s fairly good in letter sounds but never ever writes them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Squiggle-Fiddle-Splat-Writing-Activities/dp/B08FPB328G/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=1DOAP252B20T4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhE3TYk82Yk5Np7tGkqoqsSVegoq3wqjvpMZtB5_SxZsowaCyhE4gWxuwSkxNIdcCDGE4BDUttEtxdqtHXlrhtfAvWRLRIqi1OD-D4xO1TI.XvuahU8cwBGRRbCwNHkop1UqrLLAjfqdOw6MA-Fql5Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=wiggle+splat+book&qid=1718475951&sprefix=wiggle+splat+book%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-5
This book has some great ideas for encouraging mark making and fine motor skills. The author is an early years teacher and recognises that some children, boys especially, are put off by having to sit and draw, he has lots of ideas such as writing with invisible ink pens, chalking in the garden etc.
I work as a nanny and I've looked after 2/3/4 year olds who seem to have no interest in drawing/mark making, but all of a sudden they just get it and they are going through reams of paper with their artwork!
I wouldn't stress about it - if he has access to pens, crayons etc and he is doing lots of activities such as play dough and cutting with scissors for example to develop his hand strength and fine motor skills in preparation for writing when he gets to school, then he is doing fine!

Mine is 4.5 and is only just starting to show an interest. He will colour/scribble but this is variable depending on moods.

DC1 was much more interested in letters but not in writing before school. Would only draw if I was sitting next to him.

I don’t think it’s at all unusual - and I might be wrong but I think girls are more likely to be interested at this age.

My oldest was like this during lockdown. She started reception being able to write her name (super easy and short) and could read simple words but otherwise wouldn’t pick of a pencil, pen or paint brush.

She now has beautiful handwriting and is constantly drawing. We have recently realised she is hypermobil so this may offer some explaination.

You're missing my point. It isn't about comparing, there's so much variation at this age, a few months in age, a few months more or less at nursery, a school via private nursery etc. even with identical twins in the same class choosing the same free play activities, there's a significant difference. And school aren't worried.

My 2 DSs zero interest but my DD is much much more into it. Obvs a generalisation and there will be lots of exceptions but from friends and family I've observed the girls seem to be interested in drawing and writing at a much earlier age than the boys. My boys just wanted to climb, jump and run at that age!

My just-turned 4 year old has zero interest in mark making of any sort or anything else that involves sitting down for longer than it takes to blink so I have no idea if he can draw a face or write any letters, but he can recognise his name if I write it down so I'm not worried.

DS would happily sit for ages with a pencil or colouring pens from 2 years and loved plasticine, fimo, Lego etc. and spent ages shading things.
DD could not sit still for five minutes and only did scribble drawings until at least 5.
15 years on DS is still into his art. DD is much better with concentration. This improved a lot from about 8/9 years old.
Sometimes there are early signs of how they will turn out - but definitely not always. Try not to worry. It will happen when he’s ready.

DS (just turned 4) can write his name and a handful of other words independently. He can write pretty much any word spelled out to him phonetically.

Ive emphasised can as he very rarely does outside of pre school, despite having the ability. To quote him, he finds it ‘really boring’. In the same vain, he never wants to colour/draw/craft/stick/bake etc. He’d rather be running around, or in the odd moments he’s still, academic wise he’s far more interested in numbers or very basic science/geography.

My friend’s 4 year old DD can sit and do arts and crafts for hours. I think it’s all normal, they are all so different.

My son's nursery class just did "shirt signing" for graduation. I would say it was about 70/30 did/didn't write their names. And those who did, there were a good few errors or very hard to read names.

As for their art, it varies wildly. My DS can write his name, but just isn't into drawing - his are pretty crude though some are recognisdible.

I would avoid any pressure. Offer a variety of mark making opportunities and link then to his interests (e.g if he loves space, make wax relief galaxy pictures). And do other fine motor activities - threading, Lego, play dough.

The nursery are right, this is not something you should be worried about or comparing. Preschool is about getting children ready for school independently rather than academically, so toileting on thier own, eating independently , zip up coats and put on shoes etc.

With regards to crafts, some children are more into crafts and drawing than others. My son is in reception and only recently has he started to take abit more interest in drawing and colouring and will sit down for any length of time. Before this he would be bored in a matter of minutes. Even still, he would rather kick a ball, go on his scooter or do something active anyday over a crafting activity.

Writing is another matter , he has no interest. His writing is terrible compared to other children, in particular the girls in his class, but I've honestly got no concerns. He's still so young and will get there in his own time. His strength is maths over phonics and writing.

Like your son DD was young in the year. She barely did any drawing or mark making before she went into reception. She has an Oxbridge degree so it didn't matter in the long term.

DS loves writing and at 4 he’s writing his name, 3 letter words, and short sentances but hates drawing and colouring. He won’t even stamp.

DD is almost 5 and an avid drawer, she also writes well. She will start school this September.

But they are all different @MrsSpoonInBlanketSky, DD is also very behind with gross motor skills (as she is a nervous nellie who is scared of heights and falling). At soft play she literally gets overtaken or intimidated by under 2’s.

I've got 4 and they varied from writing and drawing a significant amount daily to absolutely not being willing to hold a pencil and points in between. All grown up, all with degrees and post grad qualifications. The one with most qualifications is the one who wouldn't hold a pencil at 4 if that means anything. He seems to have a compulsion to enrol on just one more course.

DC1 - simply not interestedat four. Would colour a bit. Extremely poor at drawing. Could barely manage a stick man.
Now 7.5 - excellent at reading and maths. Not great handwriting but quality of what is written is good. Not really interested in writing and drawing skills have never improved, although not for lack of trying.

DC2 - at just turned 4 was keen to learn to write name. Handwriting in reception improved much faster than dc1 and likes writing. Also enjoyed colouring and cutting.

Also not great at drawing, but neater than DC1.

Im not great at drawing either. I have got plenty of other things i am good at so its not the end of the world.

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My DS is similar and the same age. Reluctant to write. I was told instead of worry about writing focus on building hand strength and fine motor skills eg threading pincer games tracing skills cutting skills etc. the writing will come but good hand strength is key

I have two boys, oldest ds refused to do anything. Youngest DS loves painting/writing/crafts. At 13 he still likes to draw and paint.

DD is four, not yet four-and-a-half. She loves drawing, colouring, writing, and collage. She made and wrote a Father’s Day card today with me spelling the words out for her. She can spell some words by herself as well. I think she is strong in these areas but she is weaker in others. I think it is interesting, how different they all are.

The downside of it is that she comes out of nursery with piles of the stuff and then makes more at home. In my view, she is making a fairly significant contribution to climate change!