Recipe for Fun!
Place a piece of paper in front of every child and the pile of crayons within easy reach for all. Ensure there are plenty of crayons from which to choose. Children then color their own individual picture but share the crayons. Once they are comfortable sitting at the same table and using the same crayons, introduce a “partner picture.” Provide one big piece of paper in the center and have children take turns adding a design or element to the same picture.
Benefits:
- Parallel Play is when children play near others, doing the same activity, but not yet interacting. This helps children become more aware of others, model behaviors, express emotions, and develop communication skills.
- Sharing and turn taking are important social skills that are used constantly in everyday life. This activity provides practice with patiently waiting for a turn with a particular color, sharing the crayons and space, and learning manners and how to interact socially.
Modifications:
- Model appropriate behavior. Color alongside the children, so you can model appropriate behavior and language skills, such as how to ask for a turn to use the red crayon.
- Choose your tools. There are many different types of drawing utensils, from finger crayons to chunky markers. Select the best size and shape for your children and consider using washable crayons and markers for easy clean-up.