SparKits On Demand

Waxed Writing

Companion Page

This activity may get messy, so be sure to cover yourselves and the table.

Age Group

Preschoolers - 3-5 years

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Skill Builders

Skill Builder - Language Development

Language Development

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Math Concepts

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Science Concepts

What You'll Need

White candle or crayon
White paper
Watercolor paints
Optional: Colored paper and glue

Let's Begin

  1. Optional: You can have your child glue the white paper onto a colored piece to create a back drop for the white paper.
  2. Using the white candle/crayon, write a letter, shape, or number on the white paper.
  3. Have your child paint over the white paper with watercolors and watch the magic appear!
  4. Let him try writing something with the candle/crayon and watch his creation come to life.

Get their brains going, talk to your child, for example…
Talk about what your child observes or ask questions like, “What does the water do on different papers?” or “What happens when you mix colors?”

CDC Milestones

Curious about your child’s development? All children develop at their own pace, but the Center for Disease Control’s developmental milestones can be a helpful guideline. Here are a few examples:

Infants
1-year-old
  • Shows fear in some situations
  • Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
  • Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
Toddlers
18-months-old
  • Explores alone but with parent close by
  • Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures
  • Drinks from a cup
Preschoolers
2-years-old
  • Shows more and more independence
  • Knows names of familiar people and body parts
  • Might use one hand more than the other

Additional family resources

Early Childhood Alliance Logo
Bright by Text Logo
211 Logo
Early Learning with ECA

Learning begins at birth. ECA provides foundations for learning, starting with age-appropriate experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool. ECA also offers a range of family support programs that encourage family involvement with children’s learning.

Free tips and learning games

This free texting service provides quality, developmental information for parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight right to your phone. Messages include research-based, age-appropriate content from national experts, along with local updates of events and resources.

Free resources at your library

Your local library has many resources for you as a parent as well as for your child. We encourage you to take advantage of all they have to offer. For an online list of libraries by city, go to publiclibraries.com/state

Find help in your community

Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-502-0700 for free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance. Trained 2-1-1 Specialists can connect you to local organizations that can assist you with food, housing, health care, transportation, education and more.

Use of the materials described above are done so at your own risk and any children interacting with these materials should do so only under close adult supervision.

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Any unauthorized copying, alteration, distribution, transmission, performance, display or other use of this material is prohibited.