What does a 3-4 year old's drawing normally look like? - Page 3

[Disco Infiltrator]

I had the same concerns about DS (4) and even reached out to some other parents because I was concerned that he a) wasn't doing representational drawing and b) was a perfectionist because he would always ask us to draw for him. I found out that there were actually a lot of kids who were just doing scribbles his age and older. So that made me feel better. That was about four months ago. DS turned four six weeks ago and suddenly he started doing representational drawing right out of the blue. It was like a switch, one day scribbles, the next day he's drawing circles and figures and faces with teeth! It's easy to worry, and I think maybe boys can be slower in this area than girls, so if you're around a lot of girls it becomes easy to feel like something is wrong (as in our case). I think your son will do it when he's ready.

I love what Habitat said about drawing. Beautiful. Reminds me that I need to embrace my DS and DD where they are and not put my own worries onto them.

[MaerynPearl]

My daughter could draw things that were clearly whatever she was drawing by age 3. But she's shown a lot of talent artistically.

My son? He's 8 and still couldn't draw a decent picture if asked to. But he's not one to draw much... he prefers building things.

[Disco Infiltrator]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl 

My son? He's 8 and still couldn't draw a decent picture if asked to. But he's not one to draw much... he prefers building things.

I think so much depends on interests. As parents we sit around and worry and that worry can lead to pushing, and if the kid just isn't a drawing kid, that can really hurt him/her. I did push DS on drawing a few times and felt just terrible. He may do art later, he may not, but I don't want to have him hate drawing because of me pushing.

[HappyMommy2]

Privacy Reminder: This thread is FEATURED ON FACEBOOK.

[NettleTea]

My 3 yr old uses these:

http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com/product/CROC_CRAYONROCKS16/Crayon-Rocks-16-Colors/

According to the website:

"The pebble shape crayons are easy to hold and encourage the use of tripod grip to develop fine motor skills. They are specially shaped to allow small fingers to color in large, wide strokes, promoting confidence in creating art. Used by occupational therapists and teachers to develop skills that promote handwriting practice."

Worth a shot perhaps. However, I think scribbles are not unusual at this age and even older.

[towerofshelly]

My 4 year old daughter drew this a few weeks ago. She usually draws dinosaurs and dragons, so this was a departure from her 'norm'. I think she was remembering some poster she saw in the doctor's office when I took her for her annual check up. It cracked me up. I thought it was a cyclops, but she explained that what I thought was an eye was actually the person's brain. She showed me that these are the bones, and the food goes down this way...and the way to the end.

[pinklucy]

Really interesting to hear about boys seeing the world in movement. Ds had no interest in drawing until he was about 6 but quickly became an avid drawer. In terms of accuracy his drawings look very simple but there is an amazing energy and movement to his pictures that I love and other people enjoy too. At 7.5 he still draws stick figures but I think it's largely because he draws to express his imagination and just wants to get it on the page as soon as possible! What amazes me is that despite his simple style the objects are usually recognisable and the stories the pictures tell are fantastic!

At 3.5 he could only manage feathery little line scribbles and couldn't have represented anything recognisable at all. Just let him go at his own pace and see what emerges! :)

[onyxravnos]

DSD at 5 was doing some pretty good art. drawings that actually LOOK like people, places, or things.  DS1 on the other hand as JUST started making 'people figures' and it's still very very basic. If left to his own devices his art is not anything that looks like anything . i've come to grips with this, really seems to be a boy thing.

[maptome]

DD's not quite 3.5  She is capable of drawing a circle, cross, lines, perhaps more.  I haven't asked her to try anything for almost a year, and she's been doing nonrepresentational scribbles by choice.  She's not very interested in drawing or painting as a form of expression.  She mostly enjoys exploring media.

ETA, wait, this thread is over a year old...

[kayleesmom]

Subscribing to this thread my son will be 4 in feb. n he is a bit delayed I think.