What are the first crayons for a one-year-old? Discover safe art materials that support your toddler's development
Choosing the first crayons for a child is crucial because it affects the development of fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and stimulates creativity. If you are wondering which crayons will be the most suitable for a one-year-old child, in this article we present practical tips that will make it easier to make a choice.
Fine motor skills development in one- and one-and-a-half-year-olds: which first crayons will be best for a child?
In the first year of life, a child masters the so-called reverse cylindrical grip, which consists of holding a crayon in a clenched fist with the thumb pointing down. Between 12 and 18 months of age, a child develops cylindrical grip, in which the thumb is pointed upwards. In this phase, the child draws by engaging not only the hand but also the whole arm, often using considerable pressure.
The hand movements are still not very precise and require support, hence the question becomes so relevant, what are the first crayons for a child to choose. Art materials of appropriate shape and size help support the child in the next stages of development.
What First Crayons Should a Child Choose - Safety First
- For a one- and one-and-a-half-year-old child who often still puts everything in their mouth, it is crucial to choose non-toxic crayons.
Expert advises
What first crayons should you choose for your child to ensure they are safe - all art supplies for the youngest should have the appropriate safety certificates, i.e. CE and comply with the European standard EN 71-3. Some may additionally have ASTM D4236 description, which denotes compliance with the American standard.
- Avoid sharp/pointy edges and small items crayons (e.g. small plugs, erasers, decorations) that could be swallowed.
- It is important to crayons for a one and a half year old child former easy to clean in case your toddler grabs them with dirty fingers.
What crayons to choose for a one-year-old child - choose a shape that fits small hands
- Crayons work well in the form of large balls or cones, which are easy to grasp and quite difficult to break.
- First crayons for a child their shape may resemble irregular pebbles or "doughnuts", which allow for a natural fit to the little hand.
When choosing the first crayons for a one-year-old child, especially in the form of balls, pebbles or cones, remember that that the crayons are big enough so that the toddler cannot swallow them. Constant parental supervision during drawing is also necessary because a child can bite off a piece of a soft crayon and try to swallow it. For this reason, some parents decide to choose thick wooden crayons, which are more resistant to breaking/biting small teeth.
- Short, thick wax/candle crayons are easy to holda (cylindrical grip) and glide smoothly across the paper, leaving lines saturated with color.
You can buy crayons in two different shapes for your little artist and see which one he or she likes more.
What crayons for an 18-month-old child - basic colors, durability and washability
Crayons should have vibrant colors that encourage the child to be artistic. You don't have to buy an extensive set - too many colors can be overwhelming. A set of 4–6 vivid colors is enough to start with.
When we wonder, what crayons for a one and a half year old child choose remember that it is worth investing in break-resistant and easily washable products. This second feature of crayons is especially a huge advantage for parents when the toddler starts testing his skills on furniture tops or walls.
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Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
Drawing with Your Toddler: Practical Tips
The first artistic attempts are a fascinating journey into the world of colors and shapes for the baby. Now that we know, what crayons for a one year old child to choose and what to pay attention to, let's move on to the creative process itself:
Prepare the space
Once you have first crayons for a child, spread them out, for example, on the floor or a table and prepare a large sheet of paper (e.g. from a roll). You can attach the paper to the surface with adhesive tape to prevent it from moving.
Fun without pressure
Be patient and let your child discover the crayons in their own way, do not impose shapes. If your toddler shows no interest, offer him crayons again after a while. You can start drawing next to your child, which may encourage them to imitate your creative process.
Be vigilant – a companion for your child during his first attempts at drawing
Expert advises
Toddlers like to check everything organoleptically - lick, bite, suck. You already know what crayons to choose for a one and a half year old child to be safe, but constant parental supervision while drawing is still necessary.
A one- and one-and-a-half-year-old child, feeling your interest, will be more willing to reach for his or her first crayons, practicing fine motor skills and developing his or her imagination.
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