Jumbo Crayons

This afternoon we went for a pretty basic activity: drawing with crayons.

I have a box of Crayola's Jumbo crayons - mostly so they don't break them and so Abby can't bite off chunks.    I also have a roll of builder's paper from Home Depot ($10).  I cut off a piece of paper about as big as their table and taped it down. Really simple set up. 

Alyssa was really excited about drawing but quickly became more excited about trying to hold all the crayons at the same time and walk around with them. Meanwhile, Abby loved the crayons. They must really taste good. But Abby still puts everything in her mouth. 

A couple thoughts on this basic activity:  

• Drawing or Playing?: Alyssa seemed more interested in drawing when I only gave her 1 or 2 crayons. Once I put down more crayons she became more interested in holding and moving them here and there.   I had to remind myself that playing with the crayons is okay, too. Let her explore.
• Eating the Crayons: I struggled with letting Abby eat the crayons. Crayola makes only non-toxic art materials, but it is still very tempting to keep pulling it out of her mouth. Also, I want to protect the crayons. Anyone else have this problem? I don't like the crayons getting all chewed up, the wrapper soaked in saliva and torn up, etc. Again I had to restrain myself and get over it! 
• Too Much Mom?: I sat at the table and drew with them - trying to show them how to use the crayons, but after a while Alyssa would just hand me crayons. It is fun to draw with them, but next time I would stand back from the table and just let them draw by themselves, at least for part of the time.
• Narration: I struggle with narrating for both of them at the same time. Sometimes I feel like it confusing jumping back and forth. I find it helps to use their names a lot.  "Alyssa, good job drawing with the green crayon. Abby is eating the purple crayon. Now Alyssa is handing me the blue crayon, thank you" I don't know how much they are understanding. But if I'm not jumping back and forth, I feel like I ignore one or the other, so I try to make it as natural as possible. However, I'm a quiet person, so it isn't natural for me at all! 

Overall, they aren't very good at drawing, but they are learning. I think it is important to be exposing them to the idea of coloring and letting them do their own exploration. They like it and get really excited about the crayons. So just because they don't make some pretty scribbles, getting out the crayons can still be a success. 

** and then they had a blast ripping the paper off the table...