Learning to Color

My youngest daughter is at an age where we would like to introduce her to coloring. Coloring being the first step on the road toward writing. As I mentioned earlier I like using the Kumon Workbooks when teaching. However, their color workbook is a little advanced for introducing coloring. So when I am introducing a child to coloring I prefer to use Big Skills for Little Hands I Can Color! (Big Skills for Little Hands; Ages 2 and Up). The lessons begin much more simply and the older versions also ended with a certificate. (I believe the newer versions no longer contain a certificate.)

However, if you want to avoid the expense of a workbook you can introduce coloring on your own fairly simply. (Although the workbook contains a number of helpful hints for parents, which can be reassuring if this is your first teaching experience.) Each time you begin a coloring project with your child make sure she is holding the crayon correctly (like you would a pencil). Also you the opportunity to introduce your child to color names. Start simply with ideas that allow your child to color on the entire paper. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Draw some fish and ask your child to color the blue water for the fish to swim in.
• Draw a wave and ask your child to color some yellow sand for the ocean wave to crash onto.
• Draw some stars and ask your child to color the black night sky.
• Draw a bowl (top view) and ask your child to color the red tomato soup.
• Draw a snowman and ask your child to color the white snowbank. (You'll probably want to use a non-white piece of paper.)
• Draw a pig and ask your child to color the brown mud for the pig to roll in.
• Draw a dog and ask your child to color a field of green grass for him to play in.
• Draw a glass (top view) and ask your child to color the orange juice.

Remember to correct your child's hold on her crayon each time you begin. Heap on lots of complements. And always stop when you are both still having fun. Good luck!