Making our Mark: Why Materials Matter

As humans, we love to make our mark. We write, we draw, we paint, we graffiti on buildings (um... not recommending that one by the way, and it's a collective, societal "we" - definitely not me!) we get tattoos. I think it's about showing the world "this is who I am and what matters to me."

Children love mark making too. From the very first time a toddler discovers that they can draw on a wall with lipstick or a mislaid permanent marker (eek), children love to explore with mark making. And it's an important tool, right? Being able to leave a mark that says "this means something" is early literacy - it's how we make sense of words and letters and numbers and shapes and objects. But does it matter if we have quality fine-liner markers, chunky sidewalk chalk, or a lump of charcoal? Well, it does... and it doesn't. Confused? Allow me to explain. 

Why do materials matter when it comes to mark making?

Have you ever tried writing an observation or a shopping list with a blunt pencil or a pen that is running out of ink (this was me just last week)? It's frustrating right? You can't do the thing that you want to do in the way that you want to do it. This is how children feel when all of the pencils are blunt or broken, when the crayons are smooshy lumps, or the textas have the ends pushed in or are running out. It's how they feel when the only paint left is brown and they can't get that perfect shade of purple that they need for their painting. 

So, our mark making materials do matter.

It matters that they are in good repair. 

It matters that they are refilled/replenished

It matters that they are appropriately sized/designed for small hands

It matters that they are available to children. 

Such a simple way for children to make their mark at the beautiful Penola Casa in Wavell Heights, QLD

I'm a huge advocate for quality mark making materials. I love black fineliner pens/textas, I love beautiful watercolours and quality beeswax crayons. I think that when we give children quality materials, and show them how to use them (a key element if we don't want them damaged), their mark making goes to another level. In the services I've visited where children's mark making is evident left, right, and centre - the materials are certainly not an afterthought. 

Having said all of that - children can make marks with almost anything. They will make marks:

• In sand with a stick
• With dirt
• Using water and a paintbrush on the concrete
• Using a bit of charcoal out of the (cold) fire

When I say materials matter what I really mean is....

Invest in better quality where you can

Take care of the materials that you have

Model how to use and care for materials

Present materials in a way that sparks interest, care and curiosity

Consider children's age and development when selecting materials

This isn't about perfection - it's about intention. And if you want to know more about the Magic of Mark Making - join me for a live webinar in February 2026. Or - email us to book a custom session (in person or via zoom) for your team!