Four-year-olds are full of ideas. Their coloring shows it: a dinosaur gets rainbow spikes, a monster gets a birthday hat and every picture comes with a story. Their hands are catching up with their imaginations, too.
What to expect at 4
- Better control, mostly staying inside large shapes
- Using several colors and choosing them for reasons
- Longer focus, often ten to twenty minutes on a favorite page
- Grip moving toward a tripod, though many still use a four-finger grip
- Tracing simple outlines with growing accuracy
- Telling stories about their pictures
Best pages for 4-year-olds
- Characters with a mix of big spaces and a few small details
- Subjects they’re passionate about
- Pages with personality and humor
Favorites at this age include Trace Then Color: Cartoon Dinosaurs, Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters and Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff.
Activities to stretch a 4-year-old
Outline first
Show them how to color just inside the edge, then fill the middle. See outline first, then fill.
Patterns
Stripes and spots in a repeating pattern. See patterns as early math.
Count and color
Count spikes, eyes or spots while coloring. See count and color.
Add a detail
A hat, a sun, a friend. See trace it, then add details.
Tell the story
Ask about the character. Write their words under the picture.
Supplies for 4-year-olds
- Crayons and short crayons
- Washable markers
- Colored pencils (thick ones are easier at first)
- A pencil or fine marker for tracing
Pre-K connections
Many 4-year-olds are in pre-K. Coloring at home supports what they’re learning: colors, shapes, letters, fine motor skills and following directions. See the 4-week tracing plan before kindergarten.
Questions parents ask
My 4-year-old still colors outside the lines. Is that OK?
Yes. Control at edges keeps improving through ages 5 to 7.
My 4-year-old won’t color at all. Should I worry?
Some kids prefer other activities. Try different subjects, tools or tracing. If they avoid all hand activities, mention it to their pediatrician.
What grip should a 4-year-old have?
Many 4-year-olds use a four-finger or emerging tripod grip. Short crayons encourage a mature grip.
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.
