3 Big Reasons Every Kid Should Color

There has been some debate about whether or not coloring is actually helpful for kids or if it’s just a way to pass the time. Many people say they aren’t learning anything, so why bother?

While they may not be reciting vocabulary words, coloring is extremely beneficial for your kids in many ways. We’ve done some reading to find out exactly why coloring is beneficial for your kiddos, and we’ve summed it up in 3 main reasons:

1. Coloring is developmentally healthy.

For many children, a crayon is the first object that they learn how to grip. From the time they can pick up toys, you should be teaching your child how to hold and use a crayon. This not only helps them learn how to grip things and control them, but it encourages the development of fine motor skills. Even if they aren’t coloring in between the lines, they are developing muscles in their hand to do things like writing, tying their shoes, and typing.

Coloring also encourages hand-eye coordination. From seeing and following the lines, to picking out a color, and even the correct way to hold the crayon, kids are learning how to coordinate movements. If you’ve ever seen a child color, you may notice that they have their “focus face” on and pretty much tune everything else out. This is because it takes a lot of focus to make sure they pick the right color, stay inside the lines, hold the crayon properly, etc. All their attention is directed towards their masterpiece, which teaches them diligence and prioritization in finishing a task.

2. Coloring teaches your child how to be self-expressive.

Coloring gives your child an outlet to express his or her feelings. Whether they are feeling happy, sad, upset, or excited. Many children do not know how to express themselves with words yet – especially young children. Giving them the freedom of artistic expression may give you a lot of insight into what they are feeling when words just can’t communicate it.

Additionally, coloring gives them a way to think, create, and use their imagination. Whether it’s dreaming of how to color the princess’s dress or creating their very own car on a blank piece of paper. With coloring, the possibilities are truly endless, and kids can let their imaginations run wild.

3. Coloring is therapeutic.

This goes for adults too – coloring gives you a way to de-stress, wind down, or calm down after a busy or stressful day. It gives kids a way to get out their frustrations and anger that may have been building up in a way that is healthy and safe.

On the other hand, it gives children a sense of pride and instills them with confidence when they get to show off their finished product. It helps them realize their potential and ability to think, dream, and create. Coloring isn’t just a way for them to stay busy, but it’s so much more and so beneficial to their development as a child.

So, all you parents out there, go grab a few crayons and a coloring book or two and let your kids have at it. Rest assured that this seemingly insignificant activity can have big implications for your growing little one. And if you’re ever looking to destress, don’t be afraid to go join them!