The Scribble Interview - Part 1 - a conversation with Crayola

Celebrate the Scribble - Appreciating Children's Art is a new book written by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D. This book shows and discusses the joy of the unexpected mark and creativity in pre-schoolers.


In preparing for an interview concerning this book, I was startled by my research on crayola.com. Apparently, artsy kids watch less t.v. and do better in school. Really, I don't know why this surprised me. Of course, a child would learn better if they are experienced in hands on engagement rather than passively watching a screen. Creative kids are generally the innovative thinkers and problem solvers.

We, as parents, usually think of art activities as just crafts. However, according to Cheri Sterman, Director of Child Development at Crayola, art helps develop decision making, motor control, math concepts (horizontal and vertical lines) and representational cognition of a child and their world. I admit, I've never looked at Scribbles that way.



Cheri tells us that their are Four Stages to Scribbles...



1. The Joy of Unexpected Marks. Between 9-12 months begin to mark in unplanned motion. Is your child making lines in their oatmeal? Creating roads in their applesauce? This is a sign they may be ready for a simple - high chair - art activity. 5 - 10 minutes is perfectly fine for a easy art attack.



2. The Intentional Scribble. After 12 months children discover the marks they make. It is not representational of anything -- but that is exactly what you should celebrate in this stage of life.



3. The ARTiculation Stage. Children, after age 24 months, can start to tell you about their artwork. It may not be look like a house -- but the child can tell you exactly where to find the windows and which is his room. The story may change, the picture could be a house today or a rocket tomorrow. Don't ask what specific lines are, rather say "Tell me about..." and let your child lead.



4. Scribbles Take Shape. Around the 3rd birthday. Children put a lot of planning into their artwork. People and families are quite often incorporated into drawings.

It is so interesting to look beyond the Scribbles and notice the movement, colour choice and energy in young artists creations.

We have one copy of Celebrate the Scribble to give away to a lucky Parent Club reader. Tell us about your favourite art activity and it could be yours (our e-mail info. is to the right).

This is Part 1 to the series - The Scribble Interview - a conversation with Crayola.