How to Fall-in-Love with that Colorful Waxy Stick Again

Sometimes I just want to color…and I hope by the end of this post you will want to give it a whirl, too!

Like most children, I have been coloring since I was old enough to maneuver my chubby little fingers around that small colorful waxy stick.

I loved to color throughout my entire childhood and I guess I just never out grew it! It was my 3rd grade teacher who helped spark the fire in me to love art. And maybe I’ve always been wired this way, but I love all things colorful and beautiful.

But beyond the obvious pleasure of a child coloring, coloring really serves many purposes. Of course we all know it is fun, but did you know that while coloring a person can be transported from left brain use into right brain use…from analytical to creative. Coloring may calm and sooth a person. Coloring also promotes the development of fine motor skills, through the use of specific hand muscles. Coloring encourages the imagination to get some exercise and be stretched. Coloring also engourages problem solving and mapping skills.

As a teacher though, coloring sheets fill other voids. They are great for early finishers, GT students, rewards, the sub tub, bulletin board displays, seasonal activities, and {quite frankly} buying a teacher (classroom or homeschool) some valuable time to catch up on a multitude of tasks. (*Please read: I am not suggesting that coloring sheets be used all of the time or in place of other valuable teaching, but there are instances when they are extremely valuable to a teacher!)

On a personal level, I also keep coloring pages handy for when my kids use the dreaded “B” word…”I’m B-O-R-E-D!”. I keep them handy for rainy/snowy days and for days that are just way too hot to get outside! Coloring is a “family activity” in our home. My oldest child and I like to sit at the kitchen table and apply that waxy color for hours at a time…stopping to laugh, ask one another questions, and just enjoy our peaceful time together.

I’d love for you to try out this Halloween Doodle Coloring page. Maybe experiment with how it works at school, at home, and for you personally!
Click here to download PDF file. I encourage you to print this digital download multiple times and color it different ways each time.

 {Hint: You can even cut it out and display it around your home for Halloween. Your family will be proud to have their artwork on display and it gives a nice cozy feel to this season.}

Currently, I am in the midst of creating doodle coloring sheets, lots of them. {The latest set is all about Halloween!} If you are not familiar with doodle coloring sheets, you may have also heard of the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing. I love this style of drawing for many reasons. They are unique and intricate, but my favorite part is that most of the time the ability to color is almost irrelevant! Children and adults seem particularly proud of the finished product. For children, it gives a sense of great accomplishment.

Because I love both Fall and doodle coloring sheets…Halloween Doodle coloring sheets were born!

 

I would love it if you would DOWNLOAD and color one of the Free Halloween coloring pages that I created.

  If you like it, please feel free leave feedback at my TeachersPayTeachers.com store

and tell your friends and colleagues about The Doodle Oven.

 

If you enjoyed coloring the FREE Doodle Halloween coloring page (and I hope you did!)

and you want to check out more, I’ve got you covered. (click picture)

 

 

Here are some recommendations about coloring pages like these.

• I instruct children not to feel rushed, but to carefully color each portion. This not only teaches patience, but it allows you more time to accomplish other tasks, like prepare for the next activity or lesson.
• Use a sharp/fine tip color (I prefer Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils, but traditional colored pencils will work also.)
• In your mind, map out in advance what colors you want to color everything. {Have fun with the colors…maybe color your cat purple or lime green!}

• Apply more pressure to the Twistable Colored pencils for darker more vibrant colors, decrease pressure for lighter colors.

• Place 2-3 sheets of paper behind your coloring sheet for extra cushion (in case your table has small indentations or scratches in it)

• Print the page on white cardstock. (I prefer Neenah 65# Bright White cardstock)

 

 Do you like to color as an adult? What are your favorite types of pictures to color?
If you teach or are a parent/grandparent/guardian, what types of coloring pictures do your kids gravitate toward?

I would like to hear your thoughts on these questions, your favorite use of crayons, or memories you have coloring (past or recent past).

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