Self-Portrait

© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.

Have your toddler lie on his back on a large sheet of paper a little longer than he is (the white side of heavy wrapping paper works, or tape together several paper bags that you’ve cut open).

• Use a thick (washable!) marker to trace around your child’s entire body, including fingers and toes if possible.
• Hang the drawing on the wall so that it is the same height as your toddler.
• Write your toddler’s name on the drawing above his head.

See if your toddler can identify any of his body parts from the tracing. Ask: Where’s your head? or Do you see any knees? Then hand markers to him and let him complete the picture. He may want to have a mirror nearby so he can check what he looks like as he works. Or he may not be interested in making a realistic drawing at all. Let him decide what to do and ask him to explain his ideas to you.