Bang Dot and Child Development -Drawing is Critical

Universally, toddlers pick up objects in their hands and like a hammer bang, bang, bang.  It could be a rock on cement, stick in the sand or a crayon on paper. This is the beginning of mark making , which leads to the realization that marks have meaning.  Observe them as they intently watch to see if something happens.  It does.  It makes a dot.   After further inquiry, toddlers see that if they drag that dot, it creates what will later be referred to as a line.   A line.  This is very important because lines make letters, numbers and other symbols. Unbeknownst to toddlers, is the importance of line. Unbeknownst to adults, is that this is the predecessor to abstract thought and sensory impression.   Toddlers frolic during a scribbling frenzy. Children find this mark curious and without prompting will take control of the line, slow down the movements and attempt to bring it to full closure. They succeed.   A closed line is known as a shape. What is beautiful is that children, without direction, assemble these shapes and then will tell stories.  It is important that parents allow this. Whether it be a house, a horse, mother or father the imagination is set loose. Their narratives may change, however, that is not important. These imaginative stories contribute to the development of language.  Of equal importance, is recognizing that drawing is an activity that is more enlightening than it is 'pretty'.  It's not about refrigerator art; it is more sophisticated than that.  It has a direct relationship to literacy and writing.

In summary, children will learn from experience that a line is a dot in motion; however, only if this seemingly mundane activity is entertained.  Let them bang away.