7 Big Benefits Coloring Provides for Kids
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Why should kids color? It’s such a simple staple of childhood, isn’t it? Crayons, paper, and you are set for hours of fun. Or minutes of fun if you have a short attention span toddler. It is so simple.
But regardless of how long you spend on it, coloring is a really beneficial activity for kids of all ages. It is a perfect example of how sometimes the classic, low-tech activities are best.
Here are 7 big benefits coloring provides for kids, plus how you can take it a step further with some free coloring pages.
Helps with Early Writing Skills
Hand-eye coordination and pencil grip add up to writing skills. Coloring helps kids get ready to write. When you color you have to control the speed of the crayon, the pressure you put on it, and the direction you steer it.
These are all things we do when we write. Being able to control a crayon and get it to do what you want directly corresponds to being able to write with a pen or pencil.
Colors, Shapes, Counting, and More
Coloring is the perfect time to practice naming the colors. I know, it is so obvious, but sometimes we miss the most obvious thing. You don’t have to go crazy with a formal lesson, but name the colors as you use them.
A box of crayons is perfect for practicing colors. Coloring pages are often full of shapes, making it easy to practice naming the shapes. And finally, coloring can help with counting.
All this can be done in simple conversation. Ask ‘How many flowers did you color?’ or ‘Can you draw a green triangle?’ Nothing has to be prepped ahead of time, just ask a few leading questions and let your child take it from there.
Patience and Focus Skills
Coloring is a great sitting still activity. It encourages kids to slow down and focus on one specific task. It also takes patience. Learning how to color inside the lines or how to draw a straight line isn’t easy.
It takes time to take the image in your head and get it down on paper, this takes patience and focused effort.
Soothing Activity
I think we all know that as adults, coloring can be quite soothing and stress relieving. That’s why adult coloring books are so popular. There is just something calming about putting color to paper.
The same is true for kids. Coloring is a great way for kids to calm themselves down. They can physically vent some emotions by the act of coloring itself, putting the crayons to paper.
Coloring also allows children to express their feelings in a picture when they may not have the words to explain how they feel. It is a safe way to work through emotions
Promotes Creativity
This is the most obvious reason to have your kids color, but let’s not forget it. Coloring promotes creativity! Even with coloring book pages, kids control how the picture looks. Grass can be purple and the sky can be green.
Blank page coloring offers even more freedom. Children can create a world as they see it, or as they simply wonder it can be. Free creative thinking is vital to growing minds, and coloring is the simplest way to do that.
Use Coloring By Number for Number Sense and Coding
Coloring can be super basic and so beneficial. But it is fun to use it for more directed learning. Recently we have been working on both number sense and coding basics. Color by number works both of these concepts.
Number Sense
Coloring by number requires children to find specific numerals and identify them, not just repeat a string of numbers. It emphasizes each number as its own unique thing.
Coding
Color by number is one big code. Each number is assigned a color, and when those colors are applied a new picture appears.
Coloring Matters
Coloring seems like a childish pastime, but it is so much more. It really is an important activity for children of all ages to do. From working on physical motor skills to helping with emotional expression, it is crazy how many things this simple activity does.
So remember you don’t have to buy the latest technology or fancy toys to teach your children. Grab some paper and some crayons and you will be helping them more than you know.
