Pavement Chalk

What you need

• a few sticks of chunky chalk

How to do it

1. Find a patch of patio or path away from traffic.
2. Give them a stick of chunky chalk.
3. Draw some big lines and circles yourself.
4. Let them scribble wherever they like; rain washes it away.

Why it matters

Chalk on the ground invites big arm movements, which is how drawing starts before hands take over the fine control.

What they're learning

Big movements

Whole-arm marks come before small, controlled ones.

Holding a tool

A chunky stick fits a small hand.

Drawing outside

A new place to make marks.

What to look for

Watch for them looking back at the mark they've just made.

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 chalk away afterwards. Stay away from roads and driveways in use.

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