The different stages of children’s drawings
Whether it is a masterpiece on a white sheet of paper or on their bedroom walls (whoops!), when your child grabs hold of that crayon and starts to draw, their creativity ignites and the passage to learning opened.
But did you know, as children change and develop so do their drawings?
Here are the varied and fascinating stages of drawing in children’s development:
Scribbles (15 months – 2 ½ years)
This is the beginning of a child’s art journey, the thrill of making marks with a crayon in their grasp, swinging it back and forth on the paper. There is little that’s recognisable in their drawing. Rather, this stage is more about developing muscles and dexterity and fostering that sensory feedback from the gooey paint to the waxy crayon – it’s all about touch, feeling and fun! (source)
Photo by Phil Hearing
Controlled Scribbling (2-3 years)
At ages 2-3, children’s scribbles become more controlled, as the muscles in their hands and fingers develop. This stage is also called ‘Pre-schematic’ (Latin for outline) where horizontal, upright, rounded, or diagonal lines and circles appear. Children start to connect their world with the shapes they draw on the paper. They also start to communicate through their drawings. (source)
Lines and Patterns (2 ½ - 3 ½ years)
At 2.5 to 3.5 years, children start to comprehend that repeated patterns, curves, and lines form writing. They try to reproduce writing in their drawings, though these may not be entirely legible. Nevertheless, at this stage children recognise that their drawings can communicate meaning. They are often eager to share the story behind their drawings with others - what an exciting time for child and parent alike! (source)
Photo by Marcus Spiske
Objects or People (3-5 years)
At age 3-5, creativity and the use of different art materials expands. Children will decide what they will draw prior to starting a drawing. Their dexterity improves giving them more control over their markers and they draw using more colours and more details. These purposeful drawings give evidence that your child has reached a significant milestone – the mastery of symbolic thinking! Meaning, not only does your child understand that drawing lines can be symbolic of an object or person (e.g., a boat, cat, friend) but they are also able to distinguish between writing and pictures. Their drawings may have “words” written underneath communicating what their drawing is all about. (source)
Willow and Poppy enjoying Artory’s online art classes for kids
Age 5+ years
From 5 years and on, more details emerge in drawings. A person may now have hands, fingers, and feet. Spatial perception develops and colour choices become more realistic. Each child’s perception of the world is communicated through their drawings with important things expanded and the unimportant omitted. At this age you’ll also find children start to hone their skills, to copy and practice the same drawn elements again and again. They may start to seek approval for their drawings or ask parents for help to perfect a drawn element that they don’t feel they can successfully draw themselves (like drawing a “perfect” circle). That’s why from ages 5 and up its a great time to enrol your child into art classes for kids.
One of our young artists from the Artory art classes for kids in Kingscliff NSW
When your child attends kids art classes, you can clearly see their creativity and learning progress over time. And any insecurities they may face about their drawing ability (like their perceived inability to draw a “perfect” circle) can be shaped and encouraged so that they feel completely comfortable to express themselves, their views and ideas in their drawings, without fear of a shape being “wrong” or imperfect. Their confidence can be bolstered, so that things they thought they couldn’t draw (like that “perfect circle”) can be taught and easily achieved. That’s why art classes for kids are so important, they provide a conducive environment that encourages your child’s creativity to blossom and grow.
If you are interested in helping to foster your child’s creativity, the Artory has a great range of online art classes for kids, sorted according to different age groups. Our courses have been thoroughly enjoyed by many kids worldwide and have impressed many parents - why not read their reviews and have a look for yourself.
