MARK MAKING

Welcome to a digital visit to Third Street Preschool

Mark making is the very first step towards learning to write, but it is also a powerful way that children naturally and curiously make sense of the world around them. The process or action of making physical marks is called 'mark making'. It doesn't just occur with pencils, it can occur anywhere marks can be left. Mark making can include activities like scribbling, drawing, and making shapes which develop fine motore skills and lay the foundation for later writing skills.

Before children can be expected to develop the skills and confidence needed to write letters and numbers, they need lots of experience with mark making.

Mark making encourages children to problem-solve and ask questions of themselves. Our job, at Third Street Preschool, is to support their efforts and continue to be responsive to their developing needs.

Throughout the year, the children have been given the freedom to express and enhance their fine motor skills through our students preferred way of mark making. Opportunities for mark making have included experimenting with crayons, chalk, paint, brushes, markers and even ice pops, on a variety of surfaces.

Classroom friends have been using these tools to create lines, swirls and dots that are curved, straight, vertical and horizontal. Using their imaginations and personal expression, the children have been exploring mark making both individually and collaboratively.

At Third Street Preschool we provide opportunities for children to explore mark making, while supporting themselves, exploring their creativity, and learning the connection between symbols and communications.


Want to do some mark making at home?Here are a few ideas to try and remember the best tools can be in the most unconventional places.

  • Painting on aluminum foil
  • Painting with feathers on different surfaces
  • Jumbo chalk on black paper
  • Kitchen tools - yes, nontraditional printing tools are all over your kitchen. Ever used potato mashers to create art? It’s incredibly fun and produces stunning marks.


To learn more about how Third Street Preschool fosters growth, creativity, intellect and individual expression in all of our students visit ThirdStreetPreschool.org.