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Painting and drawing with 3 to 4-year-olds

Painting and drawing

Painting and drawing helps your 3 to 4-year-old child build concentration, creativity, and the skills they will need for writing. Be creative. Encourage your child to make marks, draw and make pictures from different kinds of objects, and make the most out of their imagination!

Top creative tips

  • You can use any kinds of objects like feathers, shells or twigs for all sorts of drawing, painting and creating activities.
  • Cut out favourite pictures from magazines and make collages.
  • Talk about your child’s scribbles and ask them what they have drawn. Pick out shapes and images that are recognisable and even draw some yourself.
  • Use different mark-making materials you have at home – crayons, pencils, paint, even shaving foam and let lose your child's and your own imaginations to create any sort of drawing.
  • It’s also fun to use water and a paintbrush on paving stones in the garden.

How to make your own memory book

What you need:

  • A scrapbook
  • Pens, crayons and pencils
  • Photographs
  • Magazines and catalogues
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue

What to do:

  1. Help your child decorate the front of their memory book. Write their name on it together. Make it as colourful and fun as you can!
  2. Add words or drawings about their favourite things, such as food, places or toys, or photos of your family or pets.
  3. Collect memorable items to add to your memory book! Tickets, like bus or train tickets, when you’re out and let your child stick them in.
  4. Let your child use glitter, paint, stickers or anything to make their memory book their own.