Workbooks Are Blank Walls

And Other Surprisingly Fun Reasons to Use Them with Your Little Guys

Whenever we mention workbooks for kids under five, a few well-meaning folks chime in:

"He's too young for worksheets."

"Just let him be a kid!"

We get it. And yes—of course, you should let your little one play, explore, and enjoy being a child. But here's the thing: we're not talking about pressuring toddlers into academic overdrive. We're talking about giving them another way to create, explore, and build brainpower—and loving it.

Workbooks are blank walls just waiting for masterpieces. If you've ever handed your child a marker and looked away for 12 seconds, you've seen the urge to create in action. That same spark? It's ready to light up a workbook page.

Still skeptical? Let's talk about the different kinds of kids and how to get each one excited about this magical learning tool.

1. The "I'm Overwhelmed" Kid

Some kids panic at the idea of a workbook, even if they love the actual pages. This often shows up in the oldest children—they feel the pressure and don't yet know workbooks can be fun.

Try this:

Pick a page you know your child will enjoy.
Do just one a day, no debate.
Celebrate small wins and build his confidence gradually.

You're not forcing something too hard—you're giving him the courage to try something new and exciting.

2. The Bouncer

Some kids—often boys—can't sit still long enough to pick up a crayon, let alone finish a whole page.

Here's the trick:

Assign one quick, simple page.
Let him know as soon as he finishes, he's off to bounce, run, or climb.
He'll build focus and fine motor strength without feeling chained to a chair.

Tiny stretches now grow into impressive stamina later. Trust the process—and keep the session short and sweet.

3. The "What's the Point?" Kid

This child needs a reason to complete the page. And no, "because I said so" won't cut it.

Make it a story!

Drawing lines from birds to nests? "These mommy birds got lost bringing back snacks! Can you help them get home before the baby birds get hungry?"
Coloring apples? "These apples need superhero capes in red and green before they roll into Apple City!"

It's simple. It's silly. And it works.

Workbook Tips That Actually Work

Start Small

No marathons. Choose one high-interest page right before something awesome (like heading to the park). Motivation + momentum = magic.

Be Hands-On

If it takes 10 minutes to do a 2-minute page the first week, that's okay! Guide his hand if needed, talk through each step, and cheer him on like he just won the Olympics.

Upgrade the Tools

Ditch dry, scratchy markers and swap in smooth crayons, fun stickers, or scented pens. Make the supplies inviting; the worksheet won't feel like a chore.

Tell the Story

Boring worksheet? Flip the script. Turn it into a rescue mission, a pirate map, or a detective case. A little imagination goes a long way.

Don't Lose Sight of the Big Picture

Once your child discovers the fun of workbooks, new worlds open up. He gains confidence, pencil skills, focus, and the joy of working independently. But remember—workbooks are just one piece of the learning puzzle.

Want to build his pencil grip? Try Magnatabs or lacing cards.
Want to introduce math? Grab Farmland Math.
Want to explore language? Use First Words Around the Home—or just read, read, read.
Want to sneak in phonics? Spell silly words with ABC Fit and Find.

Workbooks aren't everything. But done right, they're something wonderful.

So don't toss them out just yet. With the right approach, your little learner will surprise you with just how much he enjoys the journey.