Reader Genya writes:
I was wondering why my 3.5 years old daughter doesn’t like to color and learn letters.
What and how should I do to encourage?
I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. Some children are simply not interested in colouring; I think they find it a little boring and pointless. There are many other creative activities that you can use to stimulate motor skills, such as play dough and painting. Cutting and gluing is also fun for the little ones (although a little messy for you!).
You could incorporate the gluing and cutting with letters. Why don’t you draw the letters, then give your daughter a pair of kid’s scissors and help her cut them out and stick them to make a colourful collage? Maybe find some magazines with pictures to cut out that go with each letter. I think she might be quite proud of her handiwork.
You could also use the alphabet fridge magnets and bath toys to encourage her along with the alphabet.
All children develop at different stages in different areas, in my experience. For example, some kids may take an early interest in arts and crafts and ABCs but struggle at first with speech and numbers. Keep encouraging your daughter’s individual interests, and she is very likely to develop the necessary skills before you know it.
I’m sure that other Nanny Godmother readers have some terrific ideas for creative activities with crafts or ABCs that have worked for their own children. Readers, let’s hear them!