Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines for Infants, Toddlers and Twos

Toddler: 16­36 months
The Toddler May: Continue to develop small (fine) motor
and large (gross) motor skills that are used in pre­writing.
THE TODDLER MIGHT
FOR EXAMPLE:
Hold a large crayon or writing tool with a whole fist grasp
and scribble with increasing levels of control.
Explore drawing, painting and writing as a way of
communicating.
Tell teacher about drawing.
THE TEACHER CAN
★ Introduce items that give the child an opportunity to
grip, such as child­safe scissors, simple large­piece
puzzles, knob puzzles, blocks, animal or people figures,
play dough, cars and trucks.
★ Play a variety of music and allow the child to randomly
draw (finger­paint or paint at easel) while listening to
the music.
★ Allow children to draw or write in various locations
(outdoors, on floor, under table) and positions
(standing, sitting, lying down).
★ Provide pre­writing experiences using different
materials, such as child­appropriate foam (not shaving
cream) or finger­paints. Other tools to use include
sponges or various sized paintbrushes.
★ Provide a variety of drawing and writing materials for a
child to explore and use during both indoor and
outdoor play. Respect scribbles as early forms of writing
and encourage efforts.
★ Model the use of drawing and writing in everyday
experiences.
★ Talk with the child about his/her drawing (include
child’s words or description of the picture); display
his/her drawings and writings at child’s eye level.
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