Paper on the Wall

What you need

• a large sheet of paper
• some tape
• a chunky crayon

How to do it

1. Tape a big sheet of paper to the wall at their height.
2. Hand them a chunky crayon.
3. Make a few big marks yourself.
4. Let them stand and scribble for as long as they like.

Why it matters

Drawing on a wall tips their wrist back without them trying, which is a steadier position for holding a crayon.

What they're learning

Wrist position

A wall surface sets the wrist in a steady position.

Big arm movements

Scribbling standing up uses the whole arm first.

Making marks

Every stroke is practice at steering the crayon.

What to look for

Watch for them stepping closer to the paper to make smaller marks.

A tip

Let them hold it however it sits in their hand; there's no need to fix their grip at this age. Stay with them, and put the crayons away afterwards.

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