The First Signs of Artistic Curiosity
I’ve noticed my daughter showing an interest in picking up pens and other writing tools she discovers around the house. It surprised me how she instinctively understands the act of writing or drawing. I found myself wondering: when do kids typically start scribbling, and how should we nurture this new interest?
Building the Foundation: Fine Motor Skills from Mealtime to Art Time
Looking at the bigger picture, I believe my daughter is ready to start scribbling because her fine motor hand control has blossomed wonderfully. We’ve been doing baby-led weaning for almost a year now, and during meal times, she often picks up utensils and uses them with impressive motor control—trying to poke or scoop up items with a fork or spoon and bring them to her mouth. She’s also mastered the pincer grip to pick up both large and small items.
So when it comes to venturing into the world of art, she already has baseline fine motor control and strength. This is where I’m so grateful we’ve given her plenty of space to develop these skills during meal times.
Our First Adventures in Art
At this stage, my daughter seems both interested in and ready to start exploring the world of scribbles. We’ve begun using crayons and paper for basic coloring opportunities. So far, I’ve sat with her and helped her draw, and I’ve also placed her in her high chair with paper and crayons to let her explore independently.
I’ve realized this is a wonderful opportunity for her to experience the sensory aspects of drawing while also naturally introducing color labels and counting. We’re just getting started in our world of scribbles, but I’m excited to try various activities with her.
Finding the Balance: Guided Discovery and Independent Exploration
Some activities will be more open-ended, where she just gets to play and discover. Others will involve me modeling how to use a crayon, verbally labeling colors, describing the process of taking crayons in and out of the box, and maybe even counting as we put them away—natural language learning through exploration.
I understand some skills she needs to discover on her own, but she’ll also learn by watching me. I think she’ll enjoy scribbling alongside mom, not just on her own.
Homeschooling: It’s Already Happening
On a side note, I was curious about when I would “formally” start homeschooling. I’ve now realized I’m already doing it! Every day, I’m intentionally creating opportunities for my daughter to learn, explore, and practice new skills.
The process feels less daunting when I recognize it’s more about intentionality and making a realistic, sustainable plan. As a mom, I’m cherishing this time. She’s getting what she needs, and we’re finding a really nice balance in how we spend our days together.
For more adventures, check out our previous blog posts or visit our travel page.
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