Why do Toddlers Write on Walls? 4 Useful Positive Parenting Tips

Do you also find a new spot on the walls scribbled every day? Do you also feel angry and helpless at the same time seeing this? Finding colourful scribbles on your walls can be a source of amusement or frustration. But what’s behind this artistic urge on such an unconventional canvas?

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

–Pablo Picasso 

Why do toddlers write on walls? This can likely be one of the most common queries of parents. No worries Mumma and Papa, we are here to help you. Let us find out why do toddlers write on walls, alternatives to these wall arts and provide tips for positive parenting.

Why do Toddlers write on walls?

While all children are different, some scientific facts describe common behavioural patterns of kids.

Developmental Reasons

Any new activity excites a child very much. Their world revolves around touch, movement, and cause and effect. Walls provide the perfect platform for these explorations. The carpal bones are usually soft (in the form of cartilage), due to which toddlers (1-2 years) use large muscles from the arm and shoulder to mark. At around 3 years, the fine motor skills develop. With this, kids get better at holding things, encouraging them to scribble freehand. The more the area the better kids like it. And walls appear to them as the perfect screen to paint their hearts out. This explains the concept of children’s agency, another developmental milestone in toddlers.

Also Read: The Playful Path to Development: Nurturing Skills and Abilities in Toddlers

Creative Expression

My daughter Vanshika(around 3 years) like any other toddler loves to scribble. From wax crayons, pencil colours, and pencils, to pens, she needs something in her hand. While she enjoys scribbling on any surface, walls seem to be her favourite one. The house falls silent, and I immediately suspect our little Picasso is busy transforming the walls into her masterpiece. There are instances where she displays her art with pride.

Vanshika, ” Mumma, come see….. Tadaa!!“

Seeing their creations displayed on a large scale can be a source of pride and accomplishment for toddlers. This supports the development of intrinsic motivation in kids.

I want attention!!

To grab attention, toddlers occasionally try different things out. Scribbling on walls is one of those. In most cases, toddlers are aware that this act is not good. Yet, they do it for attention and this aligns with the attachment theory.

Also Read: How to care for elderly at home: For kids

Is It Okay???

Parents, it is unpleasant to see those clean walls scribbled as your muchkin’s masterpiece. The spot that has been the focal point of our home decor is no longer pleasant. Or the spot where nobody even cared about has grabbed everybody’s attention. Yes!! It does not look appealing. But we need to understand that only kids can do this.

Also Read: Heat Wave Safety Tips for Students: 7 Things to Remember for School Travel

They have started to experience life and seems to them like an adventure. The more they experience, the happier they are. Who knows what turn this little naughtiness might take in their lives? And we might have a junior Picasso at home. And it is not okay to ask them to halt at once.

So instead of complaining about why do toddlers write on walls, we need to know why toddlers behave this way.

Focus On Positive: Understanding Child Development

Parents, we have seen that with time our kids change their habits. Let us also acknowledge that this phase is temporary. Those scribbles on the wall represent a crucial phase in our child’s development.

• Brain Development:  According to a study by Michigan State University, early exposure to creative activities like drawing promotes neural development and cognitive skills in young children.
• Fine Motor Skills: Scribbling on walls helps kids with controlled hand movements. Gradually kids can understand where to put pressure (to draw a light or dark patch). This further helps them with writing.
• Self-expression: This enhances the emotional well-being of kids.

Also Read: Conquer Nursery Admission: The Perfect Guide for Parents

Alternative Solutions

While appreciating the developmental benefits, it’s understandable to want to protect your walls.

Wallpapers

Painting the walls can be quite daunting. It is heavy on both pocket and time. With toddlers around the house, we cannot always stop them. So a better trick could be using Wallpapers. Parents can buy wallpapers online/offline. It would be better to use light-coloured wallpapers. This will provide kids with visual comfort to scribble.

• Wolpin Wallpaper
  • Material: PVC Vinyl.
  • Colour: Grey.
  • Waterproof.
  • Apply on dry walls.
  • BUY ON AMAZON
• Elton Granite
  • Material: PVC Vinyl.
  • Waterproof.
  • Surface: Walls, almirah, doors, furniture.
  • BUY ON AMAZON

Wallstickers

So your toddler has made just a small mark on the wall. But you are still worried about this patch. Do not worry parents, there are wall stickers for your help.

• Decals Design
  • Material: PVC Vinyl.
  • Shape: Rectangle.
  • Waterproof.
  • Matte Finish.
  • BUY ON AMAZON
• Decals Design
  • Material: PVC Vinyl.
  • Waterproof.
  • Surface: Walls, almirah, doors, furniture.
  • BUY ON AMAZON

Washables

Parents can also try washable paints and washable markers. These paints and markers can be cleaned without any hassle. Let your child paint their hearts out!! You can clean them with just a swipe.

4 Positive Parenting Tips

Here are 4 Positive Parenting Tips that can be helpful to parents.

1. It is just a phase.

I know how much time and effort we give to make that house our home. Every bit and corner has some story attached to it. And a scribble can ruin the aesthetics that we desire. But we all need to understand that after all, they are kids. They do not intend to harm our interior designer skills. They are all doing it for creativity. And these little acts will stop when they grow up. All you need is to stay calm. So my dear parents, let your children be creative. It is a part of the child development process.

2. Embrace the process.

Nothing makes a child happier than being recognised. If your child displays his artistic symbol on the wall, don’t panic. Instead, embrace the art. Further, you can provide washable markers/crayons to scribble.

Also Read: 5 Essential Tips Every Toddler Mom Should Know for Smooth Sailing.

3. Get Creative

Parents, you can be a part of the process. Take 2 pieces of paper on the table with some colourful crayons. Ask your child to scribble, write or draw whatever he wishes. You too can draw along. Your child will soon develop a habit of unleashing his creativity on paper.

4. Talk to your child

A toddler cannot speak fluently but can understand. You can talk to your child about the scribbling that was done recently. Gently ask if he likes the scribbled part or the cleaner walls of your house. Make sure to talk in a polite tone. You can use simpler language. Make it relatable for your child.

Here is how I discussed it with Vanshika.

Conclusion

Finding walls scribbled with colourful patterns can be frustrating. But dear parents, Those are not just scribbles, they are a part of the child development process. Halting them at once will not help. On the other hand, your child might repeatedly do it. The key is to find a balance. While appreciating the developmental benefits, it’s okay to want to protect your walls. So other than discussing why do toddlers write on walls, we can dive deeper into finding solutions and staying calm. Remember, it is just a phase.

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