"At my child's 1-year-old well check the doctor asked if my child is scribbling. I cannot give my toddler a crayon, they will just put it to their mouth!"
Before age one, we want babies to watch adults or older kids scribbling, writing, and drawing. Around age one, we want kids to begin making marks themselves. It is common for small children to explore items by putting them to their mouth, but there are ways to teach children how to use items and avoid "unwanted" items from going to their mouth.
Strategies to Try:
Choose safe and engaging tools:
Opt for chunky crayons, thick markers, or washable chalk that are too big to fit easily into a toddler's mouth. Colorful and textured options pique their curiosity, making the experience more fun.
Try going outside with an open cup of water and a paint brush. Your child can "paint" the sidewalk or outdoor items with the water. The sun will dry the water, and there is no mess! This is a great strategy for families who don't feel ready for writing utensils, and for kids who love to move.
If drawing inside- Set Up the Environment by using a high chair, booster seat, or a table & chairs. Have only 1 or 2 crayons (or other writing utensils) out. You can have others where YOU can reach them, but your child cannot. Model how to make marks, hand your child the writing utensil, and give them a chance to try. Go back and forth with you making marks, and pausing to let your child try. If they communicate they want a different color, trade for the color. This keeps only 1-2 items out, helps you keep control, and avoids utensils from getting lost or left out when you are not monitoring the routine.
Focus on large surfaces: Provide surfaces like an easel, chalkboard, or even sidewalk instead of small pieces of paper. This gives them ample space to move freely and explore, reducing the urge to put the tool in their mouth.
Distract and redirect: If you see them reaching for their mouth, offer an alternative like a teething toy or snack cracker. Gently redirect their attention back to the drawing surface by making exciting marks yourself or narrating their scribbles as a story.
Make it messy and sensory: Let them explore different textures! Engage their senses with finger paints, edible dough, or textured paper with sand or stamps. This provides alternative sensory experiences while satisfying their natural curiosity.
Positive reinforcement and modeling: Show genuine enthusiasm for their marks and scribbles, no matter how abstract. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue exploring and builds confidence. Model proper tool use yourself, writing or drawing alongside them to demonstrate its purpose.