Acknowledgements - gapitc

Wipe Out!
Buy a small white board or message board at an office supply or discount store.
Get a non-toxic marker.
Find a clean, old sock to use as a “magic eraser.”
Show your child how to use the marker to make a dot, line or scribble on the
board.
Then slip the sock over their other hand and show them how to wipe the sock
over the board to wipe out the scribble!
Let your child explore making and then erasing the scribbles she creates!
Your toddler is likely to put most objects into his mouth in order to explore
them. Closely supervise him with crayons, markers, and chalk, even if the items are
labeled non-toxic. Be sure you hold on to any marker caps so they are not accidentally
swallowed.
Toddlers will grip crayons and markers in their fist and use whole arm movements
to scribble, so large pieces of paper are best.
The marks or scribbles your toddler makes will not look like anything in particular.
Instead, emphasize the process of scribbling (“Look, you used the red marker to make
a color on the paper!”) rather than the product of scribbling (“What is this?” “What
did you draw?”).
Make a point to let your child see you write throughout the day as you make lists or
take phone messages. When you write, it tells your child that writing is important
and will encourage him to copy your actions.
Keep moist towels or baby wipes nearby to wipe up washable marks on your child,
floor or walls!
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