One of my absolute favorite things to do as a kid was to gather my crayons and paper and plunk myself down to color a new masterpiece. Little did I know that this creative hobby of mine 
had a positive effect on my development. When children draw shapes, color within the lines and cut out patterns, they’re further developing their fine motor coordination. Additionally, the time and patience needed to completely color a page helps children develop their self regulation, and creating a great piece of art can boost a child’s self esteem.
Coloring isn’t just great for children; it’s quite beneficial to adults as well. Adults who color can find coloring to be therapeutic, potentially lessening their anxiety and increasing their mindfulness by allowing them to switch off stressful thoughts and focus only on the moment. So get your whole family in on the fun! Coloring nights would be a great way to share an experience that benefits everyone.
Want some coloring pages to get you started? Try coloring these awesome coloring pages from Mizzou’s Special Collections Library.
Coloring information from CNN.com and the Children’s Center for Growth and Development.
Photo credit: The Library 8 via photopin (license).
