Some children sit perfectly still for stories. Many do not. They wiggle, fidget and seem not to be listening, and then surprise you by remembering every detail. For those kids, giving their hands something quiet to do can actually help them focus on the story.
Coloring is one of the best "busy hands" activities for listening.
Why it can help
- Busy hands, focused ears. For some children, especially wigglers, a quiet hand task helps them sit and listen.
- Calm. Coloring settles the body.
- Connection. Coloring a character from the story helps kids picture it.
Not every child listens better while coloring. Some get absorbed and stop listening. Watch your child and see what works.
Read-aloud tips
Choose simple pages
Pages that do not need much attention work best during listening: one character, big spaces, no tricky details.
Match the theme
Reading a dinosaur book? Color a dinosaur. Trace Then Color: Cartoon Dinosaurs pairs well with any dinosaur story. Reading a fairy tale? Color a fairy or princess from Trace Then Color: Fairies, Princesses and Other Cute Stuff. A farm or animal story? Trace Then Color: Baby Animals.
Pause and chat
Stop now and then to ask questions: "What do you think will happen?" "How is the character feeling?"
Show the pictures
Picture books need to be seen. Pause coloring to look at the illustrations, then return to the page.
Audiobooks and coloring
Audiobooks and coloring are a wonderful pair for car rides, quiet time and rainy afternoons. Kids color while listening to a story, and the time flies. Many public libraries offer free audiobooks through apps.
After the story
Use the colored page to talk about the story:
- "Tell me what happened in the story."
- "Who was your favorite character?"
- "What would your character do in the story?"
- "Can you color a new ending?"
Retelling a story builds comprehension and memory. See color a character, tell a story.
In the classroom
Many teachers allow quiet coloring or doodling during read-alouds, especially for kids who find sitting still hard. Pages that connect to the book’s theme keep the focus on the story. See coloring across the curriculum.
Questions parents ask
Doesn’t coloring distract from listening?
For some kids it does; for others it helps. Ask questions afterward to check. If they remember the story, coloring is helping.
What age is this for?
Any age that enjoys stories. Even older kids and adults often listen better with a simple hand activity.
Should I let my child color during bedtime stories?
It can work, though many families prefer cuddling and looking at pictures at bedtime. See coloring before bed.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
