How do I introduce my 16mo to scribbling?

[Pascha]

He has never attempted to despite the plethora of crayons, pencils, paper, other children happily drawing around him. He will chew the crayon, run around with it, wave it, but has not ever attempted to put it to paper.

I'm a bit lost. I don't know where to begin because he has zero interest. All the milestone charts say he should be showing interest around 13 months and properly going at it by 18 months but he's nowhere near.

I know the charts are guidelines and I shouldn't worry yet but I can't help it.

Can anyone give me some useful advice/tips/games? Something practical to help?

try mark making in a different way - making patterns in sand/flour etc with fingers/hands
Finger painting (I used to do this either outside or with my DCs strapped in their highchairs to avoid re-decorating!)
Chalking on an outside wall/patio etc
Sorry if I'm a bit insulting but have you actually shown him how the crayons work?

Patterns in flour is a good idea. He's actually quite good with his fingers, just not at implements. He does see how other children use them and I put them in his hand but there's no connection there IYSWIM.

Not insulting question, perfectly valid. but yes, he has been shown, and sees other children using them.

DS still isn't that interested in crayons and drawing and he is 20 months! He might scribble circles for about 30 seconds, but is more interested in putting lids back on the pens etc than actually making pretty picture. Now, if its running, jumping, climbing and tidying up you're after, he is definately your man!

Loves playing with flour and water and making a mess though, and loves cornflour and water (fixatropic liquid - liquid when gentle with it, a solid when rough) - fascinating.

Surely he'll come to it when he's ready to sit down long enough to bother?

Decorate your front room.

Accidently leave them where he can get them.

Well thats how my 16 month old discovered scribbling! 2 days after id finished the front room I found his lovely heiroglyphics about 2 ft from floor level.

Have you tried those 'chubbies' I think they are called?

They are thicker and easier for smaller children to hold.

Also I got some cheap wall lining paper and used to roll out about 3ft of it, he seemed to prefer a larger area to draw on, think it was easier too as it tended not to slip as he drew on it.

LotusPalm your son sounds exactly like mine! Quite happy when he's on the move. Likes stacking, sorting, climbing, noisy. Stopping to make marks on paper? Does Not Compute.

AmberLeaf I think I will leave the decorating for now, DH might have something to say about that! I've got jumbo crayons for him. Lining paper going on the list though.

Is Aquadraw any good?

I think big is best! Small motor movements are still hard as this age. Big paper or walls or floors etc encourage big movements which are much easier. Control will come later!

Does he like cars? Sometimes little boys (and he is still v little) like driving paint round using toy cars. Not crayons I know but still art and getting the hang of applying a to b.

I taped huge pieces of paper to the dining table and left crayons on, popped him in his highchair and we'd chat, draw etc

Or use sticks to make designs in sand or dirt... it's all the same concept.

How about some bath crayons. My ds enjoys drawing but the bath scribbling takes on a new level of excitement!

He might just not like it. DS1 HATED drawing/mark making etc with a passion. Wouldn't even paint at preschool. Barely touched a pencil until he was four then discovered he quite liked it, now at school and writing fine. DS2 loved it from before a year old.

Don't worry, just let him do the stuff he loves. His fine motor skills will be developing during everything from picking up peas to posting your credit cards down the gap in the floorboards

shrinkingnora.

He does like cars a lot. Might try that one. Bath crayons? Don't know, he generally throws everything out then peers over the side waiting for them to magically leap back in. Then he throws them out again

He will hold a pencil, not so good with those fat tadoodles. Hes best with a chunky crayon. As soon as you put his hand to the paper he squirms and looks away. I just think he doesn't like it and being a typical toddler, doesn't see why he should have to try it.

It will come sometime I suppose.