It’s tempting to think of colouring in as inferior to drawing. It’s not creative (although it can be), and it requires less skill. But for a preschooler, it can be the perfect stepping stone on the way to better pen-control.
Colouring in relies on repetition. The same strokes, side-by-side, the pencil slowly edging across the page via a series of rapid but narrow zig-zags. To be good at colouring in means to have good pen control. To leave no white gaps – without going over the same space twice – is the mark of proficiency.
Can you see how the vertical and horizontal strokes – and the spirals younger children make – will become the ascenders, descenders and curves of the letters of the alphabet?
If you colour in to become a better artist, you’ll be disappointed. But view it as a bit of fun that can help develop important skills and you’ll be delighted with the progress you make.
We hope you enjoy colouring this beautiful spring-time picture.
