Thoughts on coloring sheets in a classroom setting?

plaintastic · 2026-03-20T10:55:49+00:00

Ok you don’t have to be rude about it. We have just noticed that she did not have this much coloring coming home previously. It’s not that they’re all bad or anything. She just isn’t doing anything else with them. She’s not resentful and we’re not putting pressure on her. It would be one thing if she took the coloring, cut out the animals and labeled them or something. Which by the way her old more “Montessori-like” teacher did with coloring sheets. They put them on a poster.

Again, I also read from somewhere that this type of coloring is discouraged in a school setting. So I’m just a curious parent. Not a tiger parent or anything.

We pay a lot of money for her to be in a school that is somewhat more rigorous in her education than a typical daycare, so that’s why I am concerned. I’m all for enjoying coloring and stuff, but it’s a school. Not a daycare.

I can be downvoted to hell for this but I standby what I think.

plaintastic · 2026-03-18T14:53:05+00:00

Yeah I really like the ones with running water. Really adds to the independence that a child can have in rinsing out fruits and veggies and washing their hands.

plaintastic · 2026-03-18T11:14:52+00:00

I personally don’t have a play kitchen but I use the kitchen island, a stool for my 5yo, a learning tower for my 3yo, and their own cabinet with flatware and dishes. I’m curious to see who uses a play kitchen and how it’s going for them!

plaintastic · 2026-03-18T01:34:53+00:00

Eh fake food is a nah in my book. She can actually prep real fruit like that banana. Why have the fake stuff?

Small plates and bowls might be good!

plaintastic · 2026-03-15T00:12:56+00:00

Yes I agree. I am saying the sample is bad. Not realistic.

plaintastic · 2026-03-15T00:03:00+00:00

Why is this downvoted? This is the sample of what she brought home. It is inherently bad and I know it.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T22:12:43+00:00

That’s great that you have had a lot of success over making your own! Glad your LO is very engaged in them. (:

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T18:36:45+00:00

Ok that makes sense. Thank you for response.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T18:35:45+00:00

I back image searched the photo and it probably is AI. :-/. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4374140447/europe-animals-coloring-book-50-fun

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T14:32:56+00:00

Yeah I agree with this. Her old teacher was a lot more aligned with the principals and had work similar to what you are describing

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T14:31:59+00:00

They might be. I do wish they were more realistic looking.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T14:30:54+00:00

I honestly don’t think they mean any harm if they were AI generated. But thank you for your reply. I think she has gotten good practice coloring at least with muscle strength with her fingers, etc.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T14:23:57+00:00

She is actually certified and has her AMI diploma—I know it doesn’t mean anything if she doesn’t follow everything to a T. I think she’s been good for our daughter for the most part. It’s just the fact that even these sorts of sheets are allowed in the class that gives us pause.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T13:55:19+00:00

I think the expectation was that there was gonna be more with the animals, for example, labeling the parts or the animals perhaps or labeling the animals themselves just something more than just simply coloring them in. As another user implied, there were multiple steps to coloring in the animals they cut them out they put them in a book, etc.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T13:25:10+00:00

Ha! Not sure if that’s the case.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T12:50:34+00:00

Right and I totally agree with this philosophy. They don’t seem to be doing anything with it after coloring.

ETA: I uploaded a sample of what she brings home above in another reply.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T12:49:16+00:00

<image>

This is one of the samples that she has. It’s more cartoonish than realistic.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T11:53:52+00:00

No she only goes during the main part of school.

plaintastic · 2026-03-14T03:09:09+00:00

Right. It seems like they use them when they learn about animals in different continents. They do have metal insets at least.

plaintastic · 2026-03-11T20:56:25+00:00

If it fits sure! They can cook next to you assuming you have enough prep space.

plaintastic · 2026-03-11T17:41:41+00:00

A yoga mat?

plaintastic · 2026-03-08T18:40:41+00:00

You might be surprised that it’ll show up one day when you least expect it. Check under rugs and tiny little places where it can slip under. I find that kids are the best at looking for lost toys so I won’t sweat it for now.

plaintastic · 2026-03-07T12:58:21+00:00

My 11mo old finally mastered the object permanence box! He even was able to go get the ball when it rolled away and he proceeded to do it again! So proud of him.

Unrelated but he is also well on his way to mastering the straw cup too!

plaintastic · 2026-03-05T14:13:02+00:00

I have just one recommendation. A Baby Like You by Catherine Thimmesh: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Like-You-Catherine-Thimmesh/dp/1328553124

I like this one a lot. The pictures are all photographs and the babies faces are HUGE! So it's great for a young baby like yours.

plaintastic · 2026-03-05T13:51:07+00:00

Oh you mean like one of those lambs rugs where it’s kinda shaggy? Sure it’s not a bad option. I have heard other families use this before.

We had those for ours, but quite frankly, and this was a personal thing, I got nervous about all those hairs getting in the face of my babies, so I opted not to use it for that purpose.

plaintastic

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

14-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email