Picture This:
It’s been a long day.
You finally sit down with a coffee, exhale, and for the first time in hours, there’s silence.
No demands, no crashes, no “Muuum, watch this!” It’s peaceful… a little too peaceful.
You leave the room for thirty seconds.
When you come back, your walls have hieroglyphics.
The couch has been “redesigned” with streaks of blue and green. Your child? Standing there grinning, marker in hand, like a tiny, mischievous Picasso.
😱
And in that moment, two things are true.
One—you are seconds away from losing your mind.
Two—your child just unlocked a whole new level of creativity.
We think of markers as innocent little tools.
But in the hands of a toddler, they’re weapons of mass creation.
The thing is, what looks like pure chaos to us is actually a key part of a child’s development. The urge to draw—on paper, on walls, on their own faces—is not just random destruction.
It’s problem-solving. It’s storytelling. It’s how their little brains make sense of the world.
And while you may not be thrilled about your new living room “mural,” that marker in their hand is doing a lot more than just making a mess.
Let’s talk about why toddlers are wired to create—and how embracing their little masterpieces (with the right boundaries) might just help them grow into brilliant thinkers.
Creativity Starts With Chaos
It’s easy to look at a toddler’s scribbles and see nothing but a mess. Random lines. Strange shapes. Maybe something that sort of looks like a cat—if you tilt your head and squint.
But to them? It’s not just scribbling. It’s a story. It’s an idea coming to life.
Toddlers don’t draw because they want to make pretty pictures.
They draw because they’re learning how to express themselves in a world where their words are still catching up to their thoughts.
That’s why their art often comes with a long-winded explanation.
“This is a rocket ship! And that’s me flying to space! And here’s a dinosaur because… well, dinosaurs are cool.”
The process—gripping the marker, pressing it to the surface, watching the colour appear—is how they start to understand cause and effect, movement, and creativity.
And yeah, sometimes that process leads to an impromptu masterpiece on your freshly painted walls.
Markers Are Tools for Brain Development
The moment a toddler picks up a marker, their brain is firing on all cylinders.
They’re not just making lines.
They’re developing fine motor skills, strengthening the tiny muscles in their hands that will later help them hold a pencil, tie their shoes, and button their clothes.
They’re also learning hand-eye coordination—figuring out how to control their movements to create the shapes they see in their mind.
And on a deeper level, they’re beginning to understand symbols.
Think about it.
Every word we read, every number we count, every letter we write—it all started as a squiggle on a page.
So while their doodles might not mean much to you, to them, they’re laying the groundwork for reading, writing, and problem-solving later on.
The Science Behind Why Kids Draw (On Everything)
There’s a reason toddlers don’t always keep their art on paper.
Psychologists say that kids are natural explorers.
To them, the world isn’t divided into “appropriate” and “inappropriate” drawing surfaces.
A blank wall?
A brand-new couch?
Their own belly?
All of it is just one giant canvas.
Toddlers don’t see mess the way we do. They see possibility.
This kind of boundary-testing is actually a sign of intelligence. It shows they’re curious, engaged, and willing to experiment.
Which, unfortunately, doesn’t make it any easier when you’re scrubbing permanent marker off your dining room table.
How to Encourage Creativity
(Without Destroying Your House)
So, how do you let your child explore their artistic side without sacrificing your walls, furniture, and sanity?
The trick is giving them freedom—but within limits.
Create “Yes” Spaces for art.
Instead of constantly saying “No! Not the walls!”, give them a designated space where creativity is allowed to run wild.
Stick butcher paper to the wall at their height so they can go big with their drawings.
Get a giant cardboard box and let them decorate it however they want.
Use washable markers (trust me, it’s a lifesaver).
By giving them an approved space to experiment, you’re encouraging creativity without the chaos.
Make Art a Daily Activity
Kids are going to draw on something—so make sure they have access to plenty of paper, colouring books, and creative tools.
Set up a simple “art station” with supplies they can reach whenever they feel like creating. That way, they don’t have to hunt for alternatives (like your living room walls).
And if they’re really into drawing on themselves?
Try getting them a whiteboard or chalkboard where they can doodle and erase as much as they want.
Praise the Process, Not Just the Result
A lot of parents fall into the habit of saying “Wow! That’s amazing!” every time their child hands them a drawing.
And while encouragement is great, the best thing you can do is praise their effort, not just the outcome.
Instead of focusing on how good the picture looks, try asking:
“Tell me about your drawing!” (Encourages storytelling)
“What made you choose those colours?” (Boosts decision-making skills)
“Wow, you really worked hard on this!” (Builds confidence in effort, not just talent)
This helps them see creativity as a skill they can grow, rather than something they have to be “good” at right away.
Turning Doodles Into Big Ideas
At Centenary Childcare Centre, we see every scribble, doodle, and colourful mess for what it really is—the first step in creative thinking.
That’s why we encourage open-ended art, hands-on exploration, and problem-solving through play.
If you’re looking for a childcare centre in Mount Ommaney that nurtures creativity while helping children develop essential skills, we’d love to welcome your child.
We also serve families looking for childcare near Middle Park, providing a space where kids can learn, explore, and express themselves.
You can also check out how we encourage creativity via our programs by clicking here.
Because sometimes, the best ideas start with a little bit of mess.
They’ll tell you your breath stinks.
They’ll point out the pimple you thought you covered.
They’ll ask why Uncle Dave’s got hair coming out of his nose—and they’ll do it loudly. In public. With zero shame.
And the wild thing is… they’re not wrong.
They don’t lie to be polite.
They don’t dance around awkward truths.
They don’t shrink themselves to avoid hurting your feelings or making things “less uncomfortable.”
They just say what’s real. What they feel. What they notice.
And yeah, it can be confronting—but also kind of… refreshing?
Because somewhere along the way, we adults traded honesty for diplomacy, self-expression for keeping the peace, and clear boundaries for vague politeness.
But toddlers? They still operate in truth mode. No filters. No fluff. Just full-blown, raw humanity.
And honestly, there’s something about that that deserves a closer look.
Let’s explore what toddlers can teach us about honesty, simplicity, and the power of saying exactly what you mean.
Toddlers Aren’t Rude—They’re Real
When a toddler blurts out, “Why is your belly so big?” it’s not because they’re trying to roast you.
They’re not being mean. They’re just being honest.
They haven’t learned to fake-smile. They don’t know how to sugarcoat. They don’t have the filter we adults have spent years building.
What they do have is raw awareness. They see, they speak. That’s it. No second-guessing. No political chess moves.
And yes, sometimes it stings. But sometimes it also cuts through all the noise and makes you laugh, reflect, or even say, “Yeah… fair point.”
Because there’s a kind of clarity in toddler honesty that the adult world has lost.
Why We Start Hiding the Truth as We Grow Up
At some point, we’re told:
“Don’t say that.”
“Keep that to yourself.”
“Be polite.”
And while that’s part of growing up—it’s also the start of something else. Something sneakier.
We start editing ourselves.
We stop saying what we mean.
We start saying what’s expected.
We pick our words carefully, not to be clear, but to be safe.
Over time, this turns into people-pleasing, boundary-blurring, and passive-aggressive small talk that gets nothing done.
We go from telling the truth to managing perceptions.
And we wonder why communication feels exhausting.
When Being ‘Nice’ Gets in the Way of Being Real
Now to be clear—kindness matters.
Being respectful matters.
We’re not saying we should all scream our unfiltered thoughts into every room like a sugar-high three-year-old.
But here’s the thing:
Politeness without honesty isn’t kindness—it’s performance.
Saying “everything’s fine” when it’s not? Avoiding hard conversations? Biting your tongue until resentment builds up?
That’s not maturity. That’s suppression.
Toddlers might be messy, but at least they’re real.
When they’re sad, they cry. When they’re excited, they run. When they love you, they show it—loudly and without hesitation.
They’re emotionally honest in a way most adults haven’t been in years.
Honesty Builds Better Relationships
One of the most powerful things toddlers do is say what they need.
“I want a hug.”
“I don’t like that.”
“I need help.”
“I’m tired.”
Simple. Clear. Direct.
How many problems in adult relationships—whether at home or at work—would disappear if we just said what we actually needed?
Instead, we hint. We hold back. We expect people to read our minds.
Meanwhile, toddlers are over here running emotional masterclasses with zero filter and zero shame.
And sure, they’re still learning how to regulate it all. But the core skill—identifying and expressing needs clearly—is something we could all use a refresher on.
What Toddlers Can Teach Us About Boundaries
Here’s something funny.
We think of toddlers as wild, chaotic little rule-breakers. But when it comes to personal boundaries?
They’re elite.
A toddler will straight-up say:
“No.”
“Stop.”
“Don’t touch me.”
They don’t explain. They don’t apologise.
They’re not worried if you’re offended.
They know what’s okay and what’s not—and they’ll let you know instantly.
Now compare that to adults who say yes when they mean no. Who let things slide because they don’t want to “make it awkward.” Who stew in silence instead of speaking up.
Toddlers don’t have time for that.
They’re too busy respecting their own boundaries—and expecting you to do the same.
Imagine if more adults did that.
Why Simple Communication Is a Superpower
Somewhere along the way, we decided that clarity and simplicity weren’t enough.
We started dressing up our sentences with big words, academic jargon, and roundabout ways of saying… absolutely nothing.
We write cover letters like we’re auditioning for a Shakespeare play.
We use words like “utilise” instead of just saying “use.”
We think if we sound complex, we’ll sound smart.
But you know who doesn’t care about sounding smart?
Toddlers.
They don’t need buzzwords. They don’t need bullet points.
They’ll just walk straight up to you and say,
“I’m hungry.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Go away.”
“I love you.”
And somehow, they get the message across perfectly. No fluff. No confusion.
Because good communication isn’t about sounding clever. It’s about being understood.
Toddlers aren’t experts in language. But they’re experts in getting their point across.
They say what they mean, when they mean it—and we get it. Instantly.
So maybe we don’t need a master’s degree in linguistics to communicate well. Maybe we just need to stop complicating everything and start saying what we actually mean.
Simple is powerful. Simple is honest. Simple is enough.
Final Thoughts
At Centenary Childcare Centre, we don’t try to silence toddlers—we listen to them.
Because we believe their honesty isn’t something to fix—it’s something to learn from.
They teach us how to say what we feel, how to stand our ground, and how to live with a little more clarity, courage, and joy.
We create an environment where kids are free to express themselves, build real relationships, and grow into strong, emotionally intelligent humans.
If you’re looking for a childcare centre in Mount Ommaney that values communication, confidence, and character from the very start, we’d love to welcome your family.
We also serve families seeking childcare near Middle Park, offering a safe and nurturing space where kids can be themselves—loud, honest, and all.
Join our waitlist today and discover why we’re one of the best childcare centres in Mount Ommaney.
Because sometimes, the smallest voices are the ones we need to hear most.