Does drawing ability represent development? Does that question even make sense? :lol

As in is a child's drawing ability linked to brain development stages and such? Like hand/eye coordination, spacial preception, etc?

I'm just wondering. My 7 yr old still draws stick figures. His pics look the exact same as my 4 yr old. I'm not concerned...I'm just wondering if the drawing can let me know kind of where he is at on a development level.

I would think the presence of some things could give you clues about development but I don't think the absence of those things means a lack of development. Usually, young kids draw simple things and as they get older, they add details like fingers, eyelashes, shadows. But not having those things doesn't mean your older ds is unaware of those things.

My almost 7 yo, doesn't draw at all. He looks at pictures other kids do and says they didn't do it right if they are "babyish" looking so I think he doesn't draw because of perfectionism. And since he doesn't try to draw, he doesn't get better at it, either. I could see a child choosing to draw in a simple, stylized way, as another way to avoid the perfectionism pitfall (can't do a bad job if you aren't really trying). Or maybe dc is perfectly happy exploring stick figures and doesn't care about realism.

I run an art studio for kids and I have all abilities of talent when it comes to drawing and I see no correlation with brain development. I think it has more to do with confidence and love for creativity than anything.

As far as developmentally, DD was just evaluated yesterday and the screener only paid attention to the level of detail of the stick person. For example, do the stick people have most of the features of real people, like eyes, ears, nose and mouth?

Can you check out some simple drawing books from the library? Maybe he's not sure where to start making more elaborate figures. I didn't really make figures that were much more than stick people, but I also never learned how and wasn't interested in learning it for myself. It wasn't until we had DD and I was drawing for her that I started to really explore drawing.

I run an art studio for kids and I have all abilities of talent when it comes to drawing and I see no correlation with brain development. I think it has more to do with confidence and love for creativity than anything.

Thanks, that's what I was wondering. If it's a developmental thing or just a talent (or lack thereof :lol) thing. I have almost non-existant artistic talent so maybe he gets that from me. :p


As far as developmentally, DD was just evaluated yesterday and the screener only paid attention to the level of detail of the stick person. For example, do the stick people have most of the features of real people, like eyes, ears, nose and mouth?

Can you check out some simple drawing books from the library? Maybe he's not sure where to start making more elaborate figures. I didn't really make figures that were much more than stick people, but I also never learned how and wasn't interested in learning it for myself. It wasn't until we had DD and I was drawing for her that I started to really explore drawing.

Yes, the stick people do have details. They have toes, fingers, and such. I guess he is just not that interested in drawing. He does not like to color at all and he only wants to draw ocassionaly. Now, making sculptures out of clay or playdough is a whole 'nother thing. He *loves* doing that.

My DD isn't the most creative person in the world. :D She's 6 and just started drawing stick figures about a year ago. She also has never liked coloring much. She likes painting, cutting and pasting though. She also loves making things with play-doh.

All kids are different. My boys were more advanced by her age but that's okay.

My dd1 recently turned six and pretty much draws like a preschooler. She is not terribly interested in it and does not devote a lot of time to drawing. She would rather read. The thing that is interesting is that her drawing and writing skills are progressing even though she seldom employs them. She'll get there.

Maybe you could try Mat Man. This link shows one before and after, but the book that I have shows several before and afters.

http://www.hwtears.com/files/Mat_Man_Study.pdf

I think it can indicate development - or at least my son's kindergarten teacher, who was very concerned about sensory development, felt it was - but it can also just represent artistic development. I think a lot of children do stick figures for a long time.
:) Lillian