Finish Lines

The basic idea

Abstract drawing is great for children who worry about getting things ‘wrong’. Draw a squiggle or shape then pass the paper so your wee one can add their own shape or squiggle. Keep going – taking turns or drawing at the same time.

Over to you, wee one

Let your wee one choose which colours and paper you’ll both use, and ask “I wonder what else we can add to this squiggle?” – leaving things as open as possible gives them more opportunity to make decisions, express themselves and build confidence.

Cheeky bonuses

• Builds fine motor controls
• Decision-making, self expression
• Takes the pressure off trying to draw something ‘perfectly’ and makes it a team effort

Variations

• Put the paper at the far side of the room and take turns to run up, make your mark and run back like a relay race
• Give your pens personalities and let them chase each other round the paper

And remember…

This isn’t about drawing a specific picture, it’s about having fun and drawing together. Every scribble is building the muscles they’ll need to write and draw one day – that’s enough for now.