Paints / Cayons etc

[DeathMetalMum]

What age did you start to paint and draw with lo?

If they have older brother/sister to imitate, my experience is that at around 1 to 1.5 they will pick up pencil and try to make marks. Some will be later, my DS1 didn't have any interest in holding a pen until he was at least 3 - but he loved painting and Aquadoodle from about 1.5. Younger than that in my experience they just try to put the paint or pencils in the mouth!

My DD is 15mo and she likes playing with crayons (mainly taking them out of the packet and putting them back in!). She will scribble a bit on paper but does still put them in her mouth a bit, and whenever she does I take them off her.

My DS is 13 months and has been playing with crayons for about a month. He has only tried to eat them a couple of times, he likes to copy me drawing a line on the page. I wouldn't leave him playing on his own with them yet, but as he enjoys us playing together with them, I'm happy to sit with him and play together.

depends on the child, my oldest was interested from about 11 months. 2nd not till slightly later, maybe 1.5 yrs before he really started scribbling much
i would offer them and have it available from about 1 yr and if they are interested then fine, if not then keep trying again later on

I've been offering DS4 crayons/paint once a week for several months, to see if he is interested - he just drops/chews them and shows no interest in the marks on the paper. He's just turned 18months and I am a little concerned about this (DS3 has Aspergers Dx), I think most Dc are making some attempt with drawing by 18months. All you can do is offer and encourage, they will do it when ready.

I've just bought a bucket of pavement chalks, and if ever this rain stops, I'm going to try him in the garden, maybe he will take notice of his mum colouring in the paving slabs and have a go himself (hopes).

You don't need to just use crayons or brushes

Cooked pasta/string, non toxic paint, some pre stretched canvas blocks, or strong card (paper gets soggy and rips)

Or a tray, line with card, dip a car, toy horse, cut veg, whatever, in paint

Mmmmm 5318008, my DS4 will, if he has spilled water on his highchair tray, stick his finger in the water and draw lines on the tray....... wonder if this counts as "painting"? Actual paint, he doesn't want to get it on his hands.

yep, I would call that mark-making, it's fab to see the child interested in what happens to water as he trails fingers through, swipes tray in arcs

you could try a plate of angel delight, a shallow plate (ikea style plastic ones are good)

and a Big Bib

Ha! I shall say he can finger paint then! Maybe we need to experiment a bit with messy play as you suggest!