Peyton is so passionately focused on colouring in! My long-held belief in the value of children's open-ended creativity versus colouring-in templates is under attack but she is so excited and enthusiastic, what can I say? Her mother's creativity certainly wasn't hampered by her own childhood experience of colouring in books either. I just enjoyed my granddaughter being in her happy place.
I was so "drawn" (no intentional pun intended!) to the coloring books like this when I was last at the craft store! I wanted to buy them all, if only for the beauty of the black and white art work! (I loved coloring books as a child and went on to get a BFA and have created many artist's books from scratch, so I don't feel I was hampered!)
Creativity does begin with colour. I know what you mean about colouring in templates... perhaps you could encourage her to try her won doodle to colour in at some point... make her now book of doodles... ?
@Weezilou I have to agree it certainly hasn't hampered her style and enthusiasm. At 5 she has already decided she wants to be a writer and illustrate her own books.
@dibzgreasley I have already given her a visual diary to draw her own creations and/or stick her favourite artwork into. Guess I know what she wants and will need for christmas - more pencils and gel pens!
