My First Mark

1. 1

   Gather white paper and several thick crayons for your baby’s first shared drawing.

2. 2

   Draw a simple shape, such as a puppy, while narrating: “We’re drawing a puppy. Look—its ears point up.” Invite your baby to make marks too.

3. 3

   When they scribble, give the mark a playful meaning: “Could that be the puppy’s nose?” and encourage another stroke.

4. 4

   Follow whatever appears without requiring the picture to be logical.

5. 5

   If a new scribble lands beside the nose, say, “You added whiskers.” If it appears in an open space, continue the story: “The puppy is lying in the sunshine.”

6. 6

   At the end, admire the shared picture: “We made this puppy together.”

What to notice

• Makes marks on the paper with a crayon Emergent Literacy
• Grasps the crayon with their whole hand and draws Fine Motor

Tips

• Let your baby’s first mark come from their own curiosity. After you draw, do not place the crayon in their hand right away. Watch their response and wait to see whether they reach for it.
• You do not need drawing skills. Print a simple outline, such as a dog or flower, and trace over it. Seeing you make marks is enough to introduce the pleasure of drawing.

Developmental benefits

• Language: Discovering that a crayon can leave a visible mark gives your baby early experience using a mark to express an action or idea.
• Movement: Reaching for and grasping a crayon, then moving it across the page, helps your baby build hand strength and coordination.