My 3.5 yr old doesn't like to draw

[plexi321]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone else has a child who doesn't like to draw? I know eventually he'll get there but am feeling a bit of pressure from other mums about his dislike of drawing. I always have stuff out for him on the table ready to go but he would rather play pretend with his cars, dinos, etc.

The worst part is my bloody sister with her my boy was drawing bees and lovely trees at three and a half. I know I can't force him to sit down and draw, might turn him off if it's forced?

So how do I get him more excited about it?

I think I just need some reassurance that it's ok!!! Talk about needy!!

Thanks for the help/advice.

it doesn't matter!
my dd was rubbish until she started school now all of a sudden is very good.
all ds1 (3.5) can do is scribble so I wouldn't say he likes it much either.
Ignore what other people think your children should be doing. It's the only way to stay sane. And tell your dsis her ds is clearly the next Picasso.

I don't think you do need to get him more excited about it, it's pretty boring.

I have three and only one has an interested in arty things, never bothered me, none could draw anything recognisable before school age either.

Don't worry about it. Try and get him doing other things with his fingers - finger painting, play doh for example.

DS1 loves and always has loved to draw. DS2 is nearly three and has barely done a scribble in his life!

He won't get excited about it if he feels pushed into it. I'm sure he's got lots of other interests

Try building up a picture with him. Suggest a theme and take it in turns to draw items and add to the picture, so it's a joint effort..my DS used to love that.

Don't force him to do anything though, maybe encourage him to be creative in other ways, like play dough, paint or lego.

We had nothing home from Montessori with ds1 and he hated writing or drawing until he was way past five. It's a boy thing, fine motor skills aren't as fine tuned and they would rather climb a tree! don't worry. DS1 is now blinding at drawing, even brought home a couple of Monet and Matisse style pieces the other day, he is now eight.

DS is nearly six and has only just got into colouring books - he still has little interest in drawing. His little sister loves it but there are many things that he does that she doesn't like or can't do. Please try not to stress about this.

Also, FWIW, I read the thread title and thought 'I bet it's a boy".

One thing I do with mine is a circle of drawing, as in we all have ten minutes to work on something and then we pass it along.....but I would just back off if I were you.

Thanks for all your replies!

He does have many other interests, play doh, shaving foam, marbles, etc! It's just the drawing part...

I'll let him come to it in his own time and not stress about it (yeah good luck!)

On another note why do sisters know which buttons to press!

DS hated drawing, colouring in, etc. Found it really boring... Last year (age 6) he suddenly "discovered" art and now he draws on everything and has a reputation among his school mates for being rather good at it. But then, if he hadn't decided to enjoy drawing, who cares? There were plenty of other creative things he enjoyed, too!

littledawley I thought it was a boy too!

My ds is 8 and still hates drawing and colouring. When ever we tried it as a toddler he had more fun hurling crayons accross the room and stabbing holes in the paper with felt tip pens.

As a teacher I felt pressure to get my then 3 year old boy to be drawing and writing but let him do it in his own time. This paid off as by 4 and a half he took an interest and then had the ability to form the letters correctly right from the start. He is now 6 and in Year One and loves drawing intricate pirate ships and buildings, but is also able to write extremely well and likes it!! Long may it last and don't worry, he will get there. Forcing boys too early before fine motor skills are developed is the quickest way to turn them off holding a pencil.

Same here and guess what have a ds!!!

I found I sparked his interest in holding a pencil/ crayon with the bath crayons. Oh getting to draw on the tiles/ bath (especially after mums cleaned it!) has a whole different meaning!!

He is now into drawing but would spend 20 minutes out of 25 minutes time for writing at school drawing the picture. His writing isn't brilliant but half his problem is lack of interest.

School asure me it will come and is a boy thing

I wouldn't worry-probably he will never be interested but does it matter? DS1 and DS2 have never liked it or been any good, DS3 was good and liked it and has always been happy drawing. You can get by without it.

Maybe he is uncomfortable holding the pencil/crayon. He will need to build up the muscles in his hand before he will be bothered about painting and drawing. Play dough and putty are good for this. Also games with pegs - put them on paper plates and have a race to put them on/take them off.

I've done a EY course on a pre writing skills programme where I learnt until a child can sit still they will struggle to have pen control as the bottom muscles are the first to develop!!